A Summer of Growth: Internship Highlights from Gamers Engaged
This summer marked our third year running the Gamers Engaged Workforce Development program in collaboration with the Washington Neurodiversity Project, and without a doubt, it was our smoothest, most successful experience yet.
Here are a few highlights from this year’s program:
1. Stronger Collaboration with Card Kingdom
We were thrilled to have Card Kingdom take on a deeper leadership role this year, co-developing curriculum and helping to lead key sessions. Their engagement added both professional insight and a personal touch that made a real impact on our interns. We had team members from various departments, from Human Resources to Automation to Leadership, facilitate workshops and Q&A sessions with the interns.
2. Expanded Program Structure
This year, we tripled the value for the interns by structuring the program into three distinct parts:
Week 1: A nonprofit project with Magikids, assembling kits to support game-based learning. Interns assembled packages of Magic the Gathering cards to be distributed to schools nationwide via our friends at MagiKids.
Week 2, Part 1: Hands-on professional development, including a skills assessment and interviews with Card Kingdom staff across departments.Week 2, Part 2: A behind-the-scenes role in product release operations, from seeing where the inventory arrives to unpacking and assistance with stocking shelves. The interns, all big MTG fans, loved unboxinig the new release.
3. Real-World Career Exposure
Our five interns had the rare opportunity to interview Card Kingdom co-founders, Damon and John Morris, and learn how their complementary strengths have helped build a successful company. They also heard from team members in data analysis, warehouse operations, grading, and automation—getting a 360° view of the career pathways within gaming and fulfillment.
4. Mutual Inspiration
One of the most moving moments of the program came from Card Kingdom employees themselves, who saw reflections of their younger selves in our interns. Their enthusiasm, mentorship, and warm welcome demonstrated how much a youth-centered workplace culture can enrich an entire team.
We’re so proud of what this year’s interns accomplished and even more excited about what’s ahead. Each year, we build on the last—and this summer was a powerful step forward.
Visit our website to learn more about Gamers Engaged Workforce Development Program. Not only is this program made possible through our partnerships with the Washington Neurodiversity Project, Card Kingdom, MagiKids, and the amazing interns, it’s also supported by generous donors like you. Donate to Gamers Engaged to help us continue to grow this program. Thank you to all who support youth development and future leaders in our industry!
