On February 22, 2024, fifteen students from grades 6 through 8, aged 11-13, from a public primary school in Kałuszyn, participated in an engaging IGNITE Event. The event featured Marta Frakel Dominik, Head of the Virtual Games Department at Trefl, who shared her experiences and insights into the world of game development.
The students had the opportunity to hear Dominik’s inspiring story. She opened up about her school years, during which she faced heckling from classmates due to her obesity. This led her to switch to a private school, where she learned valuable lessons on handling such situations. After high school, Dominik initially aspired to be a diplomat but was persuaded by her father to reconsider. She eventually graduated with a degree in international relations and found her passion in game design.
Dominik engaged the students by asking what they associated with the game industry. She explained that game development encompasses much more than just making games. It includes concept work, testing, implementation, sales, design, user experience design, translation, and sound design. She highlighted the development path within the gaming sector and shared some eye-opening statistics about the industry:
- Women make up 26% of the game development industry.
- Common positions held by women include Marketing Manager, 2D/3D Graphic Designer, and UI/UX Designer.
- Only 12% of women in the IT industry hold senior or director-level positions.
- Around 37% of women worldwide have experienced workplace bullying in the IT industry.
- Women in the IT industry earn about 20% less than men.
- In 2023, over 14% of women reported health issues like metabolic and nervous diseases due to workplace stress.
- LGBTQ+ individuals in Poland face challenges in feeling accepted in the workspace.
- Mobbing remains an issue in the game development sector.
Dominik also shared her love for dance, which helped her navigate tough times. Despite numerous obstacles in her personal and professional life, she considers herself happy and fulfilled. She emphasized the importance of perseverance and staying true to oneself. Her message to the students was clear: never give up, be honest with yourself and others, and fight for what you believe in.
The students were highly engaged throughout the session, asking many questions and actively participating in the discussion. Dominik’s insights into the diverse roles within game development and the challenges faced by women in the industry resonated deeply with them.
A big thank you to Marta Frakel Dominik for sharing her inspiring journey and valuable insights with the students. Special thanks to Educator Krystyna Wasiluk for organizing the event and encouraging student participation. An additional thanks to Cathi Rodgveller for her constant support.
After attending this event:
60%
of students are interested in STEM
78%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
63%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
83%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“Today’s event inspired me not to give up.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“The volunteer inspired me to believe in myself and achieve my goals. After today’s meeting I feel more self-confident and that’s it’s worth to follow your dreams” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“I was inspired by the volunteer’s courage – not to be afraid and not to give up. I want to tell that her story moved me, thank you for your time”. – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event inspired me to be brave and full of joy, and never give up”. – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to talk loudly what I feel and think, which earlier I would not. Now I know that we – WOMEN – are the ONE TEAM. – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event showed me that despite many obstacles, it’s worth it to achieve my goals”. – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event inspired me not to give up, because better days will always come.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
About IGNITE Program Events:
Virtual or In-Person IGNITE Program Events empower women in STEM careers to connect directly with students by sharing their academic and professional journeys. IGNITE Students are inspired by hearing stories they can relate to, and Q&A discussions help break down stereotypes that hold them back from engaging in STEM classes and careers.
About IGNITE Worldwide:
IGNITE Worldwide is a 501(c)3 nonprofit STEM education organization that aims to change gender and racial equity in STEM permanently and systematically. We work directly with teachers during the school day to provide programming that promotes gender equity and representation in STEM academics and careers. Through our award-winning program, IGNITE provides engaging, hands-on events that connect students with STEM professionals from industry leaders from around the world. Learn more at www.igniteworldwide.org.