A creator’s journey through doubt, rediscovery, and redefining purpose
Introduction: When a Degree Isn’t Enough
It’s not enough to just earn and learn for me. I wholeheartedly felt accomplished when I received my degree in Digital Marketing. Sadly, when I didn’t see that translate into a career in the industry I wanted to get into — let alone any marketing job — I was disheartened.
It raised uncomfortable questions:
Am I good enough?
Did I really learn anything?
Am I too old?
What am I doing wrong?
Did I make a mistake?
Those thoughts eventually led to two years of unemployment followed by a job as a corrections officer. It’s not a bad career, but it isn’t what I want to do, nor does it make me happy.
What I Want to Accomplish
I want to enter the gaming industry as someone recognized for insight, depth, and understanding — eventually even as a subject matter expert. My dream is to evolve from content-creator hobbyist to a fully functional independent media company.
That journey begins with my Master’s in New Media Journalism.
At the same time, I’m publishing gaming articles about niche topics, interviews with industry professionals, event coverage, and reviews across Substack and Medium. I’ve built a website to showcase my past work as a hobbyist, which helps me pitch myself to companies, request event access, and grow my network.
I also plan to convert articles into video content — both short-form and long-form — and into audio content in the form of podcast episodes.
Networking is another pillar of this journey. I’m connecting with professors, alumni, classmates, and industry professionals online and at events. These connections help put a face to my name and guide me toward roles I may be suited for.
Ultimately, my goal is to freelance my skills and land a role doing what I’m going to school for. The ideal destination? A position inside the gaming industry. After completing my Master’s program, I plan to pursue my doctorate in Mass Communication.
Everything I’ve learned has been self-taught and strengthened by academic knowledge — allowing me to be twice as effective.
Reflection: Why Creation Has Always Been My North Star
“In order to master a field, you must love the subject and feel a profound connection to it.”
— Robert Greene, Mastery (2012, p. 30)
When I was a teen, I wanted to rap. It started out of rebellion — because I couldn’t be RUN DMC for Halloween. Eventually, hip hop became a world where I taught myself everything: rapping, graffiti, production, and later, graphic design for my mixtape covers.
The designs were rudimentary, but the spark was real.
From all of this, I learned one thing:
I LOVE TO CREATE.
Music and video games became the spaces where I felt free. Video games especially helped me enjoy my childhood when everything else was unstable.
Now, creating opportunity is what I strive for — opportunity to tell my story and to prove to myself that I can do things once thought impossible.
Finding My Niche in the Gaming World
“Find a niche in the ecology that you can dominate.”
— Greene (2012, p. 35)
The gaming industry is enormous. Early in my content-creation journey, I noticed that most people want to stream or upload gameplay. Few creators, however, consistently cover indie games.
And even fewer focus deeply on Metroidvanias.
So while my content is broad today, my long-term niche is clear:
Indie games, with a specialization in Metroidvanias.
This niche gives me space to grow and a lane where my passion aligns with industry need.
Rebelling Against the Forces That Pull You Away
“…actively rebel against those forces that have pushed you away from your true path.”
— Greene (2012, p. 37)
I’ve strayed from my path many times. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve recognized a pattern: I often felt unfulfilled after achieving things I thought I wanted.
Earning a Master’s degree is a huge goal — but it isn’t the final destination.
Comfort in a steady paycheck isn’t enough.
Industry discouragement isn’t enough.
Fear of competition isn’t enough.
I know I’m meant to tell stories through gaming — stories that eventually form the bigger story of my life.
Marching to the Beat of My Own Drum
“You are on your own.”
— Greene (2012, p. 39)
I’ve lived by this idea for years. I never believed in blind loyalty to a company or industry. I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum.
When everyone went right, I went left.
When others settled, I pushed forward.
Leaders throughout my life reminded me that no one cares more about you than you. That mindset taught me the importance of being malleable, adaptable, and open to change.
Why Money Sometimes Leads Us Astray
“Most often you deviate because of the lure of money…”
— Greene (2012, p. 42)
Money has pulled me off my path multiple times. The military offered financial stability and benefits. Other jobs offered security or quick hiring processes.
But every time I strayed, I eventually returned to the same passion:
gaming, creating, and communication.
Those roots have always been the truth beneath everything else.
Expand: The Moment Everything Became Clear
Find Your Way Back
(Greene, 2012, p. 39)
One night, I was sitting in the men’s housing unit at the jail where I work. It was two or three in the morning. An inmate’s yelling echoed down the hall. And through all that noise, a question surfaced:
What do I want to pursue my Master’s in?
I remembered reading something:
If you’re going to invest in education, choose something you’re passionate about.
I knew I no longer loved marketing the way I once thought I did. But gaming? That passion never left.
I was still playing.
Still consuming gaming media.
Still making gaming content.
Still podcasting, designing, writing, producing.
The deeper I thought, the more it aligned.
What about journalism?
I checked my alma mater and found exactly what I was looking for: New Media Journalism.
But the real turning point didn’t happen when I enrolled. It happened when I asked myself one final question:
What happens in 12 months?
It became clear that this wasn’t just about a degree. It was about closing a long chapter of my life — one that needed an ending so a new one could begin.
My Life’s Task is to tell my story.
It’s varied, vast, sometimes unbelievable.
This Master’s program — combined with gaming, journalism, and creating — is the beginning of the next chapter. And it is possibly the most important step in discovering who I’m meant to be.
thegamelagjournal.com 