There’s a new social network site for kids – thought up by an 11 year old! Source: Shutterstock.com

Well, it’s maybe not such a crazy notion because that’s basically what Zachary Marks did. And oh, did I mention that he is ELEVEN?! A potential mini-Zuckerberg in the making here, people!

The site is called GromSocial.com and is for users 6-15 years old (plus parents, and other adults that parents can approve to join). It’s aligned with national safety regulations regarding kids’ privacy on the Internet, and there are nearly 7,000 members using the site.

Okay so, from what I can tell it’s not like Zachary has built this site from the ground up all alone (a whole host of adults make up the Grom Social Team), but STILL! Based on the “Grom Social Story” page it sounds like he’s been really involved in the process to make this site that covers a ton of topics from sports to peer pressure.

The basic lesson from this story is that Zachary is much better than me at technology. I wouldn’t even know where to start if I even had an idea for a social network site. I can barely use the ones we have now! It took me forever to understand how to do that thing on Facebook where you can tag your friends in posts – and I am currently getting my master’s degree in web-based technology. Get it together, Meghan!

In all seriousness, I’m always amazed by how tech savvy kids are these days, but I also am a big proponent of online safety and it worries me that some younger kids don’t totally know how to navigate social networks safely. In the Grom Social Story, Zachary himself admits he made a few unsafe social networking decisions back when he was a user on different site, like sending friend requests to adult strangers. Big uh oh.

Social media is a big part of our culture now, but it is also really something you need to learn how to use safely and responsibly. I hope a site like Grom Social can help younger kids learn and share in the cool things about social networks, but in a safe way that also educates them about social networking dos and don’ts.

In the mean time, let me go back to cruising around Facebook now and feeling like a failure for not coming up with my own social network. Sigh, maybe one day…

Would you ever want to launch your own social networking site? Do you think we need more education about online safety for kids? Tell us in the comments.

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Social media has a special place in our hearts. Source: ShutterStock

The amount of time that I spent on Facebook in my dorm room instead of studying probably could have gotten me an honorary degree in college. I’m kidding – I did study a lot, but it’s true that social media was a big part of my college experience.

So while all I got in college because of Facebook was less sleep than I should have, some students at Newberry College in South Carolina will actually going to get course credit for getting their social media skills on.

Newberry is introducing a social media major and minor for the Fall 2013 semester. According to the school, the social media curriculum is going to be made up of a bunch of classes from all different departments (ranging from business to psychology), plus a few newbie classes just for this program. Seems pretty sweet, right?

I was a journalism major, and I really, really wish I wish I had more experience with social media in college. I don’t know if I would have necessarily switched my major to one entirely focused on it, but social media skills are a big plus – not just in journalism, but a lot of different fields. Think about it – probably nearly all the companies or businesses you can think of have a Facebook page these days.

In my experience, using social media in your job requires different approach than you would use with your personal profile. I definitely feel that learning those strategies has a place in the classroom, and it’s cool (and useful) that it seems like students will get to think about social media from a bunch of angles with such a variety of classes.

According to the Huffington Post piece where I first read the news, some people have expressed that they’re a little dubious about if this new major is a good idea. Is it something that will be useful for graduates or is it just trying to be hip and trendy for the young, techie crowd?

I don’t think I have to tell you guys how fast technology changes (guys, I remember a time before email, let alone Facebook), but to me, it seems the school has really considered the demands that will be on them to stay up to date in order to make this degree and experience a worthwhile one for students. When a local news station interviewed Newberry associate professor Tania Sosiak (who designed the major), she said: “Each semester the technology is new, so the textbook is obsolete, so I’m challenged, as well as all the other professors.”

We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out, but let the record show that as it stands now, I “like” this bit of news (click!).

Would you ever consider a major in social media? What sorts of skills do you think a major in social media would provide? Speaking of which, have you checked out the Gurl social media pages lately? Tell us in the comments!

What Do You REALLY Do With Your Parents On Facebook?

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Tomb Raider

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Until this version of Tomb Raider, Lara Croft was little more than a pinup with some cool weapons and a knack for finding treasure and kicking some serious tail. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but she was kind of an emotionless ice queen, so it was hard to really relate to her, wasn’t it? Well, good news, gamer gurls! Lara gets human in the latest installment, showing remorse when she slays a wolf (she feels bad, but had to survive somehow) and fear when she’s captured and has to fend for herself alone. We think the fact that she shows some fear makes her even more of a hero. Also, not gonna lie–we’re pretty stoked that she’s wearing actual pants. One of the best video games of 2012? DUH!

Mario Party 9

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First off, let it sink in that this is the ninth installment of Mario Party. How old do you feel? Now that that’s out of the way (sorry!), let’s get to the good stuff. First off, we love that there are three female characters (Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, and the too-adorable Birdo). Second, this is one of the best video games to play at a party, because you not only get to beat one another, but also work together to beat boss characters. Third, this has something for every one of your friends–from the experienced, skilled gamer to the n00b button masher, different levels will appeal to different players. The best part? The randomness of the dice feature levels the playing field somewhat: If you have one clearly skilled friend who’s opening a can of whoop ass on everyone and getting too cocky, a roll of the dice can cost them a lot of their game loot… So you can chuckle at them. Not that you would, because you’re a good sport.

Street Fighter x Tekken

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Two of the best fighting games ever joining forces? Sign us up. The action in Street Fighter x Tekken is frenetic but fluid, with new combos, awesome tag team battles, new characters, and innovative new game modes. The almost infinite combinations of fighters and modes make it near impossible for this game to get stale. Also fun? New assets called gems, which can increase health and defense levels or give you autoblocks and evades if you snatch them. Did we mention there’s a T-rex? Seriously, look at all the amazing going on in this screenshot. Hadouken!

Mass Effect 3

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Considering Mass Effect and its sequel were two of the best games ever made (seriously, like, ever), Mass Effect 3 is an absolute must-play for gaming fans and continues the stellar legacy of its predecessors. You’re saving Earth from reapers, but you’re also making a ton of decisions that have a ripple effect on all the action in the game’s universe–you have to get other civilizations who are fighting with one another to join forces to help you defeat the common enemy. If we can get global leaders in a room to play this, we may achieve world peace. Or at least a bunch of high fives.

Kingdom Hearts 3D

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For those of you who like fighting evil but also dig the innocence of your favorite cartoons, Kingdom Hearts 3D is right up your alley. There are dramatic story lines, subplots, minigames (slots, slots, slots slots slot slots, everybody!), and Mickey Mouse. It also maintains the RPG feel that longtime fans of SquareEnix classics love so much, while incorporating use of the Nintendo DS touch screen for special attacks. The portability is awesome, too, because admit it–how many times have you been late to class because you were up late the night before trying to kill a boss character? Now you can save and get back to business on the bus to school!

What’s your favorite video game? Which games are you looking forward to most this year? What would you put on your list of the best video games of 2012? What’s your favorite console? Do you have any of your own gaming tips? Share ‘em with us in the comments!

Want A Sneak Peek Behind The Scenes With The Sims? We Got You!

Do you think her future boss is reading her IMs right now? It could happen to you! | Source: latestdigitals.com

Imagine you’re applying to your dream school. You have all the right grades, your essay is awesome — and then you get to the interview. You’re already nervous–and then your admissions officer demands to see your Facebook page.

WTF?! Not only do they want to look at your wall, they also want your password… Meaning they want to see everything. Those cute IMs you exchanged with your crush? Those semi-dirty inside jokes with your BFF? Those silly pics you took at the party last weekend (that you made sure not to tag and are friends only)? All accessible.

Talk about terrifying! And it’s becoming a reality.

MSNBC reports that not only colleges, but potential employers, are demanding access to students’ and employees’ Facebook accounts. If this seems like an insane invasion of privacy (seriously, it’s like someone reading your diary), that’s because it is.

This is a lot scarier than your crush seeing a tagged photo of you from a bad angle! | Source: live.drjays.com

On one hand, we can kinda see where they’re coming from in certain situations. For example, people applying to be prison guards were being asked for their Facebook info because their potential employers wanted to make sure they weren’t affiliated with gangs. Taking a glimpse at their photos to scan for gang symbols, colors, and the like could certainly help with that.

There are still so many problems with that, though: How many times have you done something in a photo as a joke? If a stranger looking at something doesn’t get the context of what went down, it can be really easy for them to misjudge you. Plus, it’s a slippery slope: What exactly constitutes a gang sign? Does wearing red or blue in your Facebook default pic disqualify you from a job?

You know it’s bad when even Facebook employees are against the policy, considering the site’s privacy policies are also scrutinized pretty often! “Under our terms, only the holder of the email address and password is considered the Facebook account owner,” Facebook spokesman Frederic Wolens said. “We also prohibit anyone from soliciting the login information or accessing an account belonging to someone else.”

Even if you’re not applying for jobs and are already in college, you may still be at risk for this kind of privacy invasion–especially if you play sports. Some colleges are requiring you to friend your coaches on Facebook or else be disqualified from the team. Say it with us now: WTF?!

The logic behind that, apparently, is that coaches want to make sure their athletes are well behaved. Fair enough, but where does it end? If their authority goes from the field to your Facebook account, what’s next? Installing a webcam in your dorm room to make sure you’re not acting out?

Thankfully, there are people out there fighting to keep your private life private. The American Civil Liberties Union is monitoring these cases very closely. In the meantime, know that you should never feel forced to fork over your account information for anything– email, Facebook, Twitter–or to anyone.

Here's hoping they don't turn anyone down for "duckface" photos. | Source: telegraph.co.uk

Also know that there are privacy settings you can use to keep things private even if a teacher, coach, or other authority figure friends you: You can make separate friends lists for them that limit their access to your information and postings while still technically having them listed as a friend. It also helps to create custom friends lists for just the people you trust and your closest pals–and make your posts visible only to them. The new Timeline feature on Facebook, while confusing at first, actually lets you adjust individual postings to be visible to certain groups of friends — even past posts — so that’s also a good tool to get to know.

Have you ever been asked to hand over your Facebook password? Would you be willing to give a potential employer your password if it meant getting a job? Do you have any privacy tips and tricks that you use to keep yourself and your information safe online? Let us know in the comments!

Do You Have A Facebook Stalker?

Christina Hendricks got hacked -- and her photos showed a lot more than this dress! | Source: egovtonline.com

Poor Christina Hendricks! As if the scrutiny on her body wasn’t bad enough, now she had her cell phone hacked — and with it, some compromising photos released. Yikes! Seriously, first cell phone jammers, now this?!

Obviously, Christina Hendricks isn’t the first celeb to get hacked. Just in the last few months, Blake Lively, Scarlett Johansson and now both Christina Hendricks and Olivia Munn have had potentially humiliating, obviously private images leaked to the public. It’s scary knowing that at any moment, someone can access your private messages, pictures, and emails. Part of why Christina Hendricks and other famous faces are a target is just that: Because they’re famous. But hackers don’t always discriminate based on how many Twitter followers you have, so it’s good to know how to protect yourself. Here are ways to prevent becoming the next Christina Hendricks — at least in terms of getting hacked! (We fully endorse becoming the next Christina Hendricks in terms of proud va-va-va-voom.)

*The best and easiest possible way to prevent being hacked is to have all of your accounts password protected — and it’s important to make sure your passwords are difficult to guess. (Remember a few years ago when Paris Hilton got hacked because her password was “tinkerbell?” Maybe Christina Hendricks used “MadMen.”) Never use your name or anything obvious for a password!

Olivia Munn got hacked, too. For a self-proclaimed geek, we thought she'd know better how to protect herself! | Source: celebridoodle.com

*Change your passwords regularly. This can be a pain in the butt (who can remember all that?!), but it absolutely helps, even if it’s just making a letter lowercase or uppercase or adding an extra number to the end.

*Never use the same password for more than one account. We know, we know, it’s annoying! But it’s safe.

*Turn off your WiFi, GPS, and BlueTooth devices when you’re not using them. Having them open allows others to see them, and hackers can use them to access the rest of your data.

*Actually, maybe avoid BlueTooth in general. While it comes in handy for hands free situations like driving, most hacking is done via BlueTooth devices! (Plus, they make you look like you’re talking to yourself.)

*Turn off your phone! If you’re not using it (like when you’re driving, asleep, or say, in class — right?!), this not only saves the battery life, but also potentially your privacy. Perhaps Christina Hendricks may have had more luck if she shut her phone down during filming.

*Keep your phone updated! You know those downloads that you get periodically? While they can be annoying to sit and wait through, they

We'd frown too if someone hacked into our iPhone! | Source: TeddyHilton.com

contain new blocks against hackers, so they’re worth it!

*Think twice about sending naked pictures to anyone. Because as Christina Hendricks now knows, if they can get out, they will.

Have you or a friend ever had your cell phone hacked like Christina Hendricks? Do you have any password or security tips? Let us know in the comments!

Want to know about smart ways to be sexy with your phone? Here you go!
christina hendricks phone hacked

This can kill your reception! | Source: ShopKami.com

Recently, some guy in Philadelphia anonymously told local news station that he was using a “cell phone jammer” on public transportation so he could get some peace and quiet. Now, the question on almost everyone’s lips was: What is a cell phone jammer?

A cell phone jammer is a device used to block mobile devices from receiving signals from their base stations. Cell phone jammers were originally designed for law enforcement and military use, so they could block communication between terrorists and criminals. They’re pretty common in prisons as well, where cell phones (obviously) aren’t allowed for inmates. Once the public caught on to the technology, many people–especially employers–wanted to use it themselves, especially in large cities where it seems everyone is always on the phone.

But how does a cell phone jammer work? I mean, this sounds like something out of a bad sci-fi movie, right? Well, they use antennas to send radio waves in the same frequencies that cell phones use. This causes enough interference to make cell phones within the immediate area of a cell phone jammer (which can be anywhere from 12 feet to even five miles, depending on the type) useless. Newer devices are tiny and often disguised as a pack of cigarettes. And they may be just as bad for you as smoking! How so?

Something illegal disguised as something harmful and gross. Sounds about right to us -- especially since they're both potentially deadly! | Source: ShopKami.com

On one hand, cell phone jammers in everyday life may seem like a pretty good idea: Who wants to sit next to someone on the train who’s yammering away to their doctor about the gross details of their last bowel movement? Wouldn’t you get more work done in the library or at your job if you stopped texting your best friend every two minutes? But when you stop and think about it, using a cell phone jammer is a dangerous idea.

Why? First off, they’re illegal in public places (though the FCC can waive the law for private use), because they can block emergency signals. The man on the bus in Philly probably didn’t think of what would happen if, heaven forbid, his bus were to crash and someone needed to call for help. If your boss used a cell phone jammer at your job and your store got robbed, it would not be a good situation!

How would you react if someone used a cell phone jammer on you? Do you think using a cell phone jammer could be beneficial, or that they should always be illegal? Sound off in the comments!

Now, Check Out These Top Rated iPhone Apps!
what is a cell phone jammer

"Am I pretty?" Yes! "Am I ugly?" No! See how easy that was? | Source: techaddiction.ca

There’s a new trend on YouTube: Videos asking, “Am I ugly?” To which we say: NO! But are you nuts?

The danger of posting YouTube videos asking “Am I pretty?” or “Am I ugly?” in an open forum is just that: it’s an open forum. You’re exposing yourself to anonymous criticism from strangers who are shielded by computers and keyboards. They face no repercussions for cruel comments against girls they’ve never met. They know nothing about you other than the fact that you’re clearly insecure, and therefore an easy target for flaming, hurtful commentary and flat out bullying.

It’s normal to want validation. You’re human! But these girls and guys are looking for it in all the wrong places. Think of it this way: Don’t you value what your family, friends, and people who love you think? Because they think you’re rad. Strangers who don’t know you may not agree, but who cares? They don’t know you. So how can they make an accurate judgment? Do you really want to determine your self worth based on what people who sit home and comment on “Am I ugly?” videos think?

This girl’s YouTube username is “BeautifulAndProud.” We think she’s beautiful (we dig her eyeliner skills too!), but we don’t think she’s proud, because the entire subject of her video is “Am I ugly?” Ladies, we can do better than this!

This gal showed a bunch of pictures, then asked, “Am I ugly?” Is she blind? She’s gorgeous (we actually think she looks a bit like Dakota Fanning)!

Even guys are getting in on it. This dude cut his own hair, then asked the Internet community, “Am I ugly?” He also invited strangers to call him a “fag.” C’mon, man. That’s not only insecure, it’s insensitive.

Listen: If you’re reading this, you’re beautiful. Yes, you. We all have our moments of insecurity, some longer than others, but everyone has something beautiful about them. Whether it’s your glowing skin, your shiny hair, your sparkling eyes, your dimples… Find what that is, know it, own it, and embrace it.

More importantly, know that your worth extends beyond the exterior. You have a heart and you have a mind. Are you awesome at math? Are you the best server on your volleyball team? A good painter? An awesome listener? Do you sound like Demi Lovato when you sing in the shower? Those are more attractive than any photo you post to Facebook or any video you post on YouTube. So if you’re ever tempted to post a video online asking, “Am I pretty?” know that the answer is yes. Now we can all go back to watching pandas sneeze.

How do you feel about “Am I ugly?” videos on YouTube? Would you ever post a video asking “Am I pretty?” Have you ever commented on a similar video? Let us know in the comments!
am i ugly youtube

Demi Lovato is an eating disorder survivor -- and we bet she supports this move. | Source: yourstuffwork.com

Tumblr banned pro-ana websites from its blog roll this week. The thing with pro-ana websites is that most girls never even hear about them until they do get banned from blogs or search engines. So what exactly is a pro-ana website?

A pro-ana website is one that promotes anorexia. Some pro-ana sites use the glorified description of being “thinspirational.” Pro-ana and pro-mia (short for “pro-bulimia”) pages give sick girls tips on how to be sicker. They offer ways to resist food, post photos of skeletal women (literally — you can usually see their bones), and serve as a constant reminder that their readers can always be thinner — and that thinner is better.

While it’s easy to say that most girls aren’t affected by sites like this, that’s not necessarily true. If you’re exposed to something enough, it becomes normal to you. Even Demi Lovato, as successful and beautiful as she is, succumbed to an eating disorder until going into treatment last year and has spoken out about how being insensitive to the issue makes it worse. (She’s even documenting her recovery for MTV!)

Pro-ana websites are dangerous, period. They are designed by sick people to not only spread their sickness, but worsen it in themselves and others. 20% of people diagnosed with long-term anorexia will die from the effects of the disease. Pro-ana websites can prolong and worsen anorexia — as in, they can be potentially lethal.

Your worth is not determined by a scale. | Source: thestir.cafemom.com

Another example (and another type of site that tumblr banned): If a person was suicidal and searching online for help — say, she typed in “suicide help” — and instead of support phone numbers and hotlines, she accidentally clicked on a link describing the best way to tie rope, that’s dangerous. That’s damaging. And that also is not much different from a pro-ana website.

Essentially, tumblr banned pro-ana websites from their blog roll because they fall under the category of “self-harm.” And they’re right. While many supporters of pro-ana websites have come out against tumblr for what they perceive as infringement on their free speech, what they fail to realize is that in those “terms of service” a lot of us don’t actually read are clauses that allow tumblr to do things like this.

The problem is that proponents of pro-ana websites see themselves as helping. They think they’re helping girls by giving them tips on the best way to throw up their dinner without rupturing her esophagi. They think they’re helping girls by telling them that “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” But what they’re actually doing is killing themselves and their readers slowly. You already know that anorexia is deadly. Tumblr banned pro-ana websites because they don’t want blood on their hands and they want girls to get healthy. That’s a stance we can get behind.

Do you agree with tumblr banning pro-ana websites? Do you think it’s a good idea, or do you think it violates free speech? Tell us your views on tumblr banning pro-ana websites in the comments! 

Want To Read More About Body Confidence? Here You Go!
tumblr ban pro-ana websites

But the iTunes App Store is also kind of intimidating… there are literally thousands of apps out there, just waiting to be downloaded. So how are you supposed to know which ones are the best? Specifically, which games are going to keep you the most entertained and waste the most of your time? Here are my top 10 favorite iPhone game apps (most of which can also be played on your iPad, iPod, computer or Blackberry!) that you should definitely try out:

1. Tap Tap Revenge

Remember back when Guitar Hero was, like, THE game to be playing? Well, Tap Tap Revenge totally reminds me of that game (which I had a sick addiction to). It’s really fun and easy, plus you get to listen to some awesome songs that you might not have heard before.

2. Bubble Bust

This is such a simple concept, yet so much fun. All you have to do is connect the bubbles that are the same color to get to the hidden key. There are tons of levels that get more challenging as you go on, and it’s actually tougher than you think. Plus, the popping noise of the bubbles is oddly satisfying.

3. Words With Friends

If you’ve ever tried this game, then you know that there was no way it could not be included in this list. Words With Friends is basically like Scrabble, and you can play with your friends or with random strangers – just dig deep into your vocabulary for this one. If you’re not so into this version, also try Hanging With Friends – it’s a different twist on Hang-Man, and it’s just as addicting as Words.

4. Stone Loops Of Jurassica

Whenever I tell people the name of this game, they look at me like I’m insane. But I swear, it’s really fun. You connect the strings of gems that are the same color to make them disappear, and you have to beat the clock before they get to the end. Each level gets more and more difficult, but as you go on, you get cool little prizes that help you play better.

5. Tiny Zoo

Confession: I may or may not have spent a little too much money buying animals for my Tiny Zoo. I can’t help it! They’re cute! In this game, you can build your own virtual zoo – you collect coins and dollars to buy new animals, you can breed them and cross-bread them to make new species, or you can spend real money and buy animals.

6. Monster Soup

This is another game with a super simple concept that is way too addicting to stop playing. Here, you have to connect the same colored monsters before they get iced over. You wouldn’t think it’s that challenging, but actually, it is. I’ve been playing for months and have yet to pass level 16. Don’t judge.

7. Akinator

Akinator is awesome because you can play with your friends and easily amaze them! Seriously though, my mind is blown every time I play this game. Think of a celebrity and then answer Akinator’s questions about him/her – he somehow always gets it right! It might sound stupid, but it’s actually really fun to play with people (or on your own).

8. Bejeweled

I’m sure you’ve seen people playing this game on your Facebook newsfeed or something… it’s super popular for a reason. It’s similar to Tetris, but the stones make it way prettier. You basically just make strings of the same jewels to get a certain score before time runs out. The coolest thing is the amazingly bright graphics on this app, which really stand out on your iPhone.

9. Sally’s Spa

In this game, you own your very own virtual spa. You take care of customers and earn points to buy new things for your spa. As the levels go higher, it gets more and more difficult to please people. The graphics are really cool, and this game will definitely challenge you a little.

10. Temple Run

I’m new to this game, but apparently it’s pretty popular: Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner are always posting pictures of their high scores. Basically, you have to guide your person through different mazes. You get coins and points throughout to help you get special powers. It’s just like a video game!

What did we miss? Do you play any of these? Which game app is your favorite? Tell us in the comments.

 Check out our 7 favorite YouTube girl crushes right here

iPhone Game Apps

Seriously, who doesn't love this game?

Half the fun of playing The Sims games is when you get to make Sims characters do wacky or really cool stuff you’d never get to do in real life–like hang out with stars like Katy Perry (did you hear she’s partnering with The Sims for upcoming expansion packs and more? True fact!). But what if you had the opportunity to actually make the Sims games and get paid for it, too? Well, as an Associate Producer at Electronic Arts, that’s just what our latest girl-crush, Azure Bowie does every day!

She was awesome enough to chat with me this week, and even told me how you might be able to get a job like hers one day.

If you’ve ever wanted an insider look at The Sims world, this is it!

Azure = gamer girl extrordinaire!

Gurl: Have you always loved video games?

Azure: I have! The first game I ever bought actually, when I was 12 or 13, was The Sims–I was obsessed with it, and it opened me up to all kinds of other video games that I’d never thought about playing before. By the time I was in college, I was having gaming tournaments all the time with friends.

Gurl: You’re an Assistant Producer–what does that really mean, and what cool stuff do you get to do on the games?

Azure: I’ve been at Electronic Arts working on The Sims since I started as an intern in May 2007, so I’ve been able to do a lot! In my current job in production, I get to work on the game itself. Pretty recently, I worked with concept artists to decide what The Sims 3 store would look like–I helped come up with ideas for the design packs. It was like a dream!

Gurl: What do you love most about your job?

This accomplishment? Amazing!

Azure: I love seeing the game come together. I was a fan for so long, but I had no idea how the games were actually made. Now I do it myself every day! I get to play the games as they’re being made, which is amazing–and I also get to encourage younger girls to study and follow their passion so they can do jobs they love, too. Oh, and I get to travel and meet people who play The Sims all over the world. It’s amazing to meet a fan in Spain one day and someone else who plays in Germany the next. The game just relates to everyone. It’s pretty cool.

Gurl: What did you study in school that helped you get this job?

Azure: Well, I initially went to college for dance, which I love, but then I switched majors five times and finally ended up really liking economics. I stayed an extra year after the four years of undergrad and got my MBA, which is a Master’s degree in Business Administration. I figured no matter what I wanted to do, even if I wanted to start my own dance company, that a business background would be helpful.

Funny 'cuz it's true!

Gurl: So, a business degree helped you get a job making video games?!

Azure: Ha! Well, sort of, but really, it was more my passion for The Sims that did it. I had to have an internship when I was in college, and I was having trouble finding one. My counselor told me to look at my interests and pick something based off of those. At that point, I was playing The Sims at least 10 hours a week, and when I found out the company that makes The Sims was near my college, I wrote them this really gushy, almost embarrassing fan letter begging for an internship. To my surprise, they said yes and hired me! I’ve been here ever since.

Gurl: That’s so cool! What advice would you have for girls who want to follow in your footsteps?

Azure: Don’t be afraid to change your mind, and focus on the things you love. If you’re passionate about something and really put your heart into it, sometimes things just fall into place. Also, if you’re good at math, hang onto that and get even better at it! I can’t tell you how much we need more female engineers in the industry–so go to science camps or engineering camps and learn all about it. You could make video games, too!

Are you obsessed with The Sims? Tell us why you love it in the comments!

Now, check out these cool superhero nail designs–too cute!

make sims