ETC Students Connect With Local Entertainment Technology Professionals

Entertainment technology professionals gather on stage for the panel.
Entertainment technology professionals gather on stage for the panel.

On October 3rd, ETC students gathered in the Randy Pausch Interdisciplinary Studio (RPIS) for a panel featuring locally-based entertainment technology professionals — many of whom were ETC alums themselves — talking about their career paths.

The panel was organized by ETC Associate Director and Career Consultant, Student Affairs Amanda Anderson as part of the ETC Professional Development course for first-year students she’s teaching this semester. The class prepares new ETC students to make the best use of their time in the program, giving them the skills and resources to start thinking strategically about their future careers. It includes individualized resume reviews, chances to practice interview skills, and opportunities to network with alumni and industry professionals. 

Christine Barnes (ETC ‘11) talks about her career path and the importance of networking.
Christine Barnes (ETC ‘11) talks about her career path and the importance of networking.
ETC student Junghwan (Felix) Choi asks the panel a question while Amanda Anderson looks on.
ETC student Junghwan (Felix) Choi asks the panel a question while Amanda Anderson looks on.

The panel, which Anderson moderated, featured Lockheed Martin Sr. Experience Designer Christine Barnes (ETC ‘11), Bulletfarm Studios Technical Designer Alex Loughran (ETC ‘14), Megacat Studios Cinematic Director Andrew Marsh, Schell Games Principal Design Manager Shawn Patton (ETC ‘03), Pixel Mechanics UX Designer Madison Petrick, AlterStaff Inc Unity Developer Wenlong Yan (ETC ‘24), Schell Games Principal Game Design Francisco Souki (ETC ‘10), and Software Engineer Zibo Ye (ETC ‘24). The panelists spoke at length about their journey to get where they are now. “I went to Walt Disney Imagineering [after graduating],” Barnes told students. “How I got that job was an ETC alum. I had lunch with him, he got my resume, he put it on someone’s desk, and they called out of the blue. I hadn’t even applied for that position.” Panelists also advised students on best practices for networking before answering questions from the audience.

Afterwards, students lingered in the RPIS to connect one-on-one with the panelists — talking long after the panel ended and exchanging information with them to stay in touch.  

Alex Loughran (ETC ‘14) responds to one of the questions asked by Anderson as part of the panel.
Alex Loughran (ETC ‘14) responds to one of the questions asked by Anderson as part of the panel.
First-year ETC students listen to the panel discussion.
First-year ETC students listen to the panel discussion.