Ux designer Intern Review

I enjoyed my virtual experience. I am a graduated Interaction designer, and academia does not prepare you for the hardships in the professional work life (and what UX design means) but King did a great job in teaching me. I had a manager that I checked in with weekly, a great team where it was needed to work cross-craft and steadily learning best practices through discussions, meetings and ideations. I also had weeks set for each craft to work with them on something and get a deeper insight in what we do. It was a virtual experience, meaning that it requires a lot from YOU. This is new for everyone, you have to be yourself best you can over the screen to make sure that you become friends with your colleagues.

As aforementioned, working virtually really strains the ability to become friends and be personal with team-members. At times it was incredibly alienating, that's when one has to make sure that you participate in whatever you're given, and ask those extra question. I was lucky and had a very friendly and interested team. The more newly hired people arrived, the easier it was to have open forums. It is tangible that everyone are lost in how to communicate remotely - But my team really expressed interest in both my personal and professional life.

There were so many individuals that reahed out to me, crazy! All encouraging and helpful in their own ways, all throughout my internship. Whatever I needed help with I got it. My manager made sure to fix whatever I needed. He also let me be by myself a little to not be "over-controlling" ;keeping a healthy balance. Everyone from HR to UX helped me. As aforementioned - You need to take initiative and ALWAYS ask too. No question will be treated badly :)

The skills I developed and the information I received assisted me both profesionally and personally and I am now working with the company. It has assisted me in learning more about players and how to do choices taking both business, tech and design in regard. I always thought I was a good team player too - But I have learned even more here, when to be extra humble or asking that one extra question for the sake of the team and the project.

The virtual experience was well structured. I received top-modern equipment right at my door. I do wish I got some welcome goodies though! Hehe. It was structured with goals and structured meetings, follow ups and team meetings. The onboarding is heavy but there is a neat checklist to follow. Sometimes information can get lost but it is the cost of the virtual experience I think, not due to me being an intern. I was treated as any team member instantly.

The general atmosphere during my virtual experience was good! I believe there could have been more team-building as it is hard to really radiate your personality through a web cam. That is why I will mention it again - It is crucial that you try to be your utmost self in a virtual experience, and sieze any opportunity of development both in professional development and building relationships across the team. Be good, be yourself, be passionate and work hard - And you'll get all of it back, and you'll be a part of the good atmosphere! Everyone at King really are super nice and fun.

In terms of personal training and development, King invested in me at a very high scale. I got in touch with anyone I needed too, they responded actively, I was invited to Intern seminars, meet higher-ups that were actively answering our questions, they payed my order of books, presentations, drawing lessons, actually, they are really good at personal training and development. We also had hack days to invest in smaller/our own side projects. Super fun!

They give you real assignments and you work in real projects. They teach you everything about the process which really helped in understanding what this job would require from me.

The virtual experience helped me to really understand the company culture! We had intern seminars where we met and had interactive presentations where we got to go through the culture, and who we are in King, and how we identify with the values. The culture is very tangible and often mentioned and lived by. Each and every one has traits of the company values and radiate them through the work and team. We also give feedback often to see areas of improvement according to the company culture.

Really valueable! Especially working so closely with other crafts really helped me shape my own understanding of what I want from my future career. There are so many talented people at King so even if you continue with the company or not you're surely going to bring something valuable with you through your professional path. It also helps you understand the jump from the academic requirements to the professional one. Even the bad days or small comments could help greately one day.

I was paid well and reimbursed expenses as team lunches and etcetera.

The opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company where good. As aforementioned, we had intern seminars where very high ups would talk to us, interact, answer questions and be highly present. We also had virtual sessions of UX meet up, Game design meet ups, Player experience meet up, etc. As everyone are very open, it is easy to ping someone and ask for a coffee break and have a personal chit chat.

They were good, as good as they can be in a virtual experience. The social events weren't too many, but when done they were extremely fun. We have had bingo, masquerade... Quizzes. As said, one has to be open-minded and participate passionately too to have fun in virtual experiences. :) We also had some cozy team lunches and coffee breaks where we would play together.

Yes, I heard many stories of how employees usually hang out and what they can do outside of work through word of mouth (or word-of-zoom-meetings)

Absolutely! I would recommend this virtual experience to a friend. I already did and hope that they applied to the internships. It is a great opportunity and first-hand view of the industry, and you grow so much in such a short time. Everyone are very sweet and helpful, you receive top notch equipment. Of course I would recommend it. King is really a good company to grow in and have a first time experience with.