#254: Elder Scrolls Online QA Testing w/ Army Veteran Tommy Davis, Zenimax Media

Borne the Battle

On this episode of Borne the Battle, Army Veteran Tommy Davis shares his story about deploying to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and Afghanistan, then later working in the video game industry.

Tommy always enjoyed playing video games, but his journey to working in the video game industry was not straightforward. After taking some courses at a community college, he still felt uncertain about the future and what he wanted to do. He spoke with a recruiter and enlisted in the Army.

After serving seven years in the Army, Davis transitioned to civilian life and enrolled in George Washington University. He discusses connecting with fellow Veterans on campus and serving as president of GW Veterans. They are a chapter of Student Veterans of America, who focus on issues regarding Veterans and education.

Next, Davis talks about becoming interested in and doing extensive research about the video gaming industry after earning his bachelor’s degree. He discusses how he convinced himself to apply to his dream job after being encouraged by his family and friends. His determination led to him applying to and accepting a position with ZeniMax Media as a video game quality assurance tester working on The Elder Scrolls Online.

Later, he delves into how the framework he learned in the military helps him stay focused while working in web development. He talks about the Veteran community affiliation within Zenimax Online Studios. That community helps recruit Veterans and helps them with civilian integration.

Finally, he provides advice for Veterans interested in joining the gaming industry and developing specific skillsets by attending the Microsoft Software and Assistance Academy.

In this episode, Davis talks about:

• What he learned from his experiences in the military.
• His post-military education at George Washington University.
• Various positions available to Veterans at Zenimax Online Studios.
• Career advice to transitioning service members and how they can gain valuable specific industry training.
• How important it is for Veterans to get involved with Veteran service organizations, such as Team Rubicon and Wounded Warrior Project.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

• Air Force Veteran Patrick Peter Caruana

Additional Links:

• Borne The Battle 140: Danny Chung – Marine Veteran, Chief of Staff, Microsoft Military Affairs
• VA spotlights special benefits for elderly wartime Veteran population
• VA grants improve transitional housing, prevent Veteran homelessness