SEATTLE, WA—“Magic for Lunch” is on the agenda when gaming studios Wizards of the Coast and Nintendo partner with Urban Arts, hosting students on a 2,400 mile field trip. 

Urban Arts is the national nonprofit generating real mobility for underrepresented youth from low-income communities with a novel approach—STEAM futures through game design. Field trips with powerful partners grant critical access to the industry. Students visited Wizards of the Coast, owned by Hasbro, and Nintendo America in Seattle, Washington this July. For most, this was the first time they traveled without their families, and their first time in Seattle. The group chat was filled with plane shots of Mount Rainier and excited jitters.

At each stop, students toured the impressive facilities and were served up valuable career downloads. Intimate conversations with employees on “Building a Career in the Gaming Industry,” “Networking,” “Employee Resource Groups,” and “What We Look for in Strong Candidates” level a digital playing field in an industry that does not yet reflect Urban Arts’ community.

Students were deeply impressed: “Wizards of the Coast had the most informative talk about networking that I’ve ever received. Networking was always taught to me in such a cold manner, but Ben Cammarano made it so friendly and gave me the courage to get out there and put in the work,” said Jamari. Dylan agreed. ““Ben Cammarano’s talk on networking changed my outlook, making it feel friendly and approachable instead of just a necessary chore. Learning that confidence builds over time and that you really only need to meet 75% of job qualifications to apply was encouraging, especially as an overthinker.”

“This was the first time I’ve been to the headquarters of big companies. It was interesting to see the people who make the things I enjoy actually working and having fun, seeing how much they love and interact with their work,” Aissaiyah said.

“The amount of information I learned was so overwhelming that I forgot I had a notebook to take notes,” according to Jasmine.

“My favorite part of the partnership visits was career paneling. Each department has its own specializations and we engaged in genuine conversations with interns-turned-employees,” Darlyn mentioned. “I learned that I’m not introverted, I just like to listen rather than talk in certain situations.”

Nintendo’s interns hosted a popular panel. “The interns at Nintendo were incredibly real. They shared their genuine experiences and challenges, offering honest insights into what led them to work at Nintendo of America. This straightforward approach made me feel valued and understood, and it was refreshing to engage in such a candid conversation,” said Dylan.

“I really want to try gunning for an intern position at Nintendo, so hopefully I’ll be back in Seattle in the near future,” Jamrai said.

Seattle, the city, also made an impression. Darlyn found it “super-quiet. I’m too used to the noise back home. We were at the pier and it was very crowded and the most noise you heard was the wind passing by.” Aissaiyah agreed, “Talking too loud, even in the more populated areas, felt improper because of how quiet it was.” Also new to young New Yorkers? Hills. 🆙

Students now have tourist tips of their own to share. “Chihuly Garden and Glass was just so beautiful. All I could think about was how much goes into making unique pieces like the chandelier.” “My favorite part was spending time at the Space Needle and taking awesome pictures!” Darlyn, Dylan, Jamari, and Aissaiyah recommend Golden Age Collectibles.

Urban Arts uses game devs for comp sci literacy, a novel approach with big-numbers success. Urban Arts is the genesis of a new diverse talent pipeline, boosting students into STEM/STEAM degrees through their college-access program—with over $25 Million in scholarships earned since 2017. Alumni are placed into mentorships and internships, granting exposure to the world of work and starter network for those not automatically ushered into one.

Thank you to our partners at Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro for making this happen. Special thanks to Molly Nicholson Sameer Joseph Mike Turian Chris Cao Marc Wilhelm Ben Cammarano Kerry McDonald Kenji Yamaguchi Sarah Moffitt Knott Kevin Colman Donna Mink Mark Purvis

Thank you to our partners Nintendo of America for making this happen. Special thanks to Angela Johnson, CCP, SPHR, and all the volunteers who made this trip possible.

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For more information: Jen Walter, Director of Marketing and Communications, Urban Arts, jen@urbanarts.org

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