Cindy L.
Q: Who are you? Where are you from?
A: Hi, I’m Cindy and I break things, which is to say I work on quality analysis. I love to experiment (with software and food). My parents immigrated to the US from Vietnam and I was raised in southern California. I’m currently based in San Diego.
Q: What’s your background? What did you do before Modulate?
A: Prior to Modulate, I was a compliance tester for PlayStation. Before working in the video game industry, I studied public health and worked in conservation trail crews. I strive to be a lifelong learner, so I’ve taken a variety of courses ranging from mental health first aid and suicide prevention to front end web development.
Q: Why are you joining Modulate?
A: I’ve been involved in the online gaming space since childhood. I consider myself lucky to say that I’ve experienced the best parts of the community, making friends for life over the years. I’ve also seen the dark side and the space has a lot of maturing to do. I want all folks to feel welcome, respected, and safe when they’re gaming.
Q: What’s the voice skin you’re most excited to use, and how do you plan to use it?
A: If I had any masculine voice skin, I would use it to compare my experiences in multiplayer games to when I’m using my normal (feminine sounding) voice. Essentially, I want my voice to be an experimental variable while holding factors such as my personality and speech patterns constant to see if my interactions with other players would change. My hypothesis is that my experience would be more positive and enjoyable.
Q: What needs to be true about a technical project in order for you to get excited to work on it?
A: There needs to be some community impact. I feel especially motivated when I know we’re doing the work for marginalized communities and can see how others benefit from our work. A Marian Wright Edelman quote comes to mind: "Be a good ancestor. Stand for something bigger than yourself. Add value to the earth during your sojourn."
Q: What’s your ideal work environment? Any special strategies you use to stay effective?
A: Natural light, fresh air, and unlimited tea. I keep an Adventure Dogs calendar to mentally organize and keep my physical space tidy too. I feel distracted if my work/brain area is messy or things are out of place.
Q: Tell us about something you must have in any culture you join?
A: Listen with curiosity and have the attitude that there is always something we can learn from each other. Be open to different perspectives and don’t dismiss them if they are not the same as one’s own understanding.
Q: Who are you outside of work?
A: I play an online first person shooter game called Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO, or CS) competitively. I lead teams in CS:GO leagues and tournaments and do my best to help my teammates grow inside and outside of the game. When I’m not playing CS, you can find me reading books, playing basketball, cooking family-sized meals, or taking photographs.
Q: What’s something you’re great at that few people realize?
A: Skating! I’ve completed two skateboard marathons and I hope to one day skate across the country. I’m also pretty fast at TypeRacer, an online typing game.
Q: Leave us with a fun tidbit - a favorite joke, a story from your past, an obscure riddle, whatever you like!
A: Whenever I travel to a new place, I visit the local libraries.
