Christmas is nearly upon us, a time where we slow down, put up lights to brighten the darkest days and gather; a time to celebrate and be together. In the Targett household, it is also a time of board games, party games and card games!
“What does this have to do with careers?” I hear you ask.
We can learn a lot about ourselves and what is important to us in our careers via games. As well as develop skills that may help us in our work, games can help us work out what we like in life. Reflecting on how we play and what games we enjoy, can tell us a lot.
For example, my family often roll their eyes at my lack of competitiveness when I play Monopoly. When others are running out of money, I often want to help them, by lending them some of my own money or letting them off with a cheaper rent when landing on one of my properties. It’s no surprise that as a Career Development Professional, I am motivated by helping others; there is a congruence to how I play Monopoly and what motivates me, as well as what I feel is important in life and work.
However, I also like to win and don’t like losing. I “play hard” in life… especially, in the arenas where I feel that it matters; such as with our client work and supporting others. Yet, learning to lose, to be able to dust ourselves off and continue on, is an important life skill. A skill which we can learn through games.
Other games have a lot to teach us too. Charades is the epitome of team work (and frustration!). Scrabble develops our language skills and stretches our vocabulary (useful for the authors out there!). Snakes and Ladders teaches us resilience in the face of adversity and absurdity.
A classic from my teenage years is Dungeons & Dragons, which I played with my brother and his friends. It is something that (having laid dormant for years) as a family we have begun to play, and something my eldest son plays with each weekend his friends. Not only is it good for family bonding (as the popular saying goes “the family that plays together, stays together”) it is great for developing problem solving, team work, imagination, curiosity and those crucial interpersonal skills that most jobs require.
The other day when I was in school, writing up my notes from a day of delivering Careers Guidance in the library, a group of ten or so students began to gather, alongside a teacher who began setting up her Dungeon Master’s screen… this was the school’s Dungeons & Dragons club! Students from Year 7s through to 6th Formers, playing and having fun.
I had a chat with some of the students about who their characters were and how their campaign was going. Their eyes twinkled with excitement and they were animated about the adventure they were on.
The DM (Dungeon Master) called the game to order. Note: for the uninitiated, the DM runs the game, setting the narrative and weaving the adventure together which the players interact with, via the characters they are playing… whether they are a fighter, cleric, wizard etc. DMs need to be able to think on their feet, have a good memory for stats and rules, as well as good interpersonal skills.
I sat and listened in for a bit, reflecting on what one of the younger students and I had been discussing before the game started.
“What do you do in school?” he asked.
I explained that I was a Careers Adviser, that I guide students, as they begin to figure out what direction they wish to take in life. I don’t tell them what to do, but provide a safe non-judgemental place to help them explore their next steps.
He paused for a moment; reflecting.
“You’re a bit like a DM then, aren’t you? Giving us choices.”
“Yes, I suppose I am…” I smiled.
In the cartoon show of the 1980s, the Dungeon Master character in the opening titles, says to the children as they enter the fantasy world… “I am Dungeon Master, your guide in the realm of Dungeons & Dragons!”
Are we as Career Development Practitioners a little like this? Providing a little light in the dark, as we pop up in unexpected places (especially for those of us working across multiple sites). Providing independent guidance for our young people, as they make their choices and embark on their adventures.
The “real world” can (at times) feel as if it is filled with Dungeons and Dragons; a roller-coaster ride, with traps and monsters to trip us up. Yet, there are heroes to inspire us and villains to challenge us; plus regular folk going about their own business. If we can help our clients to keep their heads, to make their own choices and enjoy the ride where they can, maybe life and all of their careers (and ours), have some amazing adventures in store for us.
I wonder, what stories will we write for our lives?
We wish everyone who celebrates it a lovely Christmas. A peaceful, safe (and fun), festive season and a Happy New Year to one and all, from all the writers of the Careers Writers Association.
© Chris Targett, December 2025
The views expressed in this article are entirely the authors and do not necessarily express those of his employer.
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