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World Congress 2024 • Aug 13, 2024 • Session details

Brenda Romero - Stay! Surviving and Thriving in Tech

Brenda Romero

Brenda Romero knows why most game developers quit after just five years. Discover her battle-tested survival guide to setting radical boundaries and outlasting tech's toxic hustle culture.

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#1 about 3 min

Overcoming severe burnout and committing to a career in tech

Evaluating the impact of severe burnout and recognizing an enduring passion for making games.

#2 about 3 min

Viewing game development and technology as a lifelong calling

Tracing a path from early text-based interfaces to planning a retirement centered on classic hardware development.

#3 about 3 min

Navigating unprecedented industry challenges and workplace dissatisfaction

Acknowledging the severe difficulties in technology careers including widespread layoffs, crunch culture, and inadequate compensation.

#4 about 4 min

Countering persistent harassment against marginalized groups in tech

Examining the intense social media backlash faced by diverse developers and the critical need for systemic allyship.

#5 about 4 min

Understanding low career expectancy and retaining diverse technical talent

Addressing severe attrition rates in technology fields and the resulting loss of experienced institutional knowledge.

#6 about 8 min

Discovering identity and community through tabletop roleplaying and coding

Embracing solitary nerd culture and fantasy roleplaying provides a robust foundation for a sense of belonging in the tech industry.

#7 about 3 min

Strategies for sustainable skill growth and avoiding developer burnout

Adjusting expectations for learning at a manageable pace prioritizes personal well-being over a continuous culture of crunch.

#8 about 3 min

Fostering healthy team dynamics and effective upward feedback channels

Building positive work environments requires filtering out toxic behavior, normalizing leadership apologies, and practicing constructive upward feedback.

#9 about 1 min

Seeking consistent mentorship and embracing personal idiosyncrasies in tech

Establishing ongoing mentor relationships and remaining authentic to one's unique identity secures long-term career fulfillment.

Matching moments

8:11 min

Confronting prejudices in the gaming and tech industries

Chris Heilmann +2 · LIVE

4:10 min

Preventing developer burnout by avoiding toxic productivity trends

Katja Träumner

1:31 min

Addressing developer burnout and the impact of artificial intelligence

Pauline Pagliaro Pauline Pagliaro · WWC 2025

3:28 min

Fostering flexibility, remote work, and personal wellbeing in tech

Eva-Maria Weidner Eva-Maria Weidner · WWC 2024

1:29 min

Prioritizing mental health and human connection

Christian Heilmann Christian Heilmann · WWC Europe 2026

5:10 min

Personal burnout and the origins of Human OS

Bianca Errigo Bianca Errigo · WWC Europe 2026

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