Hundreds have played Corporate Snakes and Career Ladders around the world. In this series Carmen interviews some of them. Today’s conversation was with Alexandra Rodríguez Cifre.
C: Hello Alex! Tell me a bit more about yourself…
A: I am originally from the Canary Islands. I studied journalism in Barcelona and after a few years of working, I decided I wanted a new challenge. So came to London and saved up for a Master’s. After much research, I decided that the one from London College of Communications was the best one for me.
C: What’s your focus at the moment?
A: Exploring the relationship between journalists and public relations practitioners. Specifically in the field of travel and entertainment I’m trying to get as many voices into my research as I can. Also, I really like dealing with the media, a part of me misses that connection with journalists.
C: Interesting! I’m sure some of our readers will want to help (see the end for that).
C: Meanwhile, can you tell me more about your experience of playing Corporate Snakes and Career Ladders?
A: First we had a session on careers with Casilda and Stephen, which covered how to apply for jobs, how to do an interviews etc. It was really interesting.
Our second session was the game. We didn’t know what to expect so when we got there we were really impressed with the materials. It made us feel like we were doing something important, that we weren’t just playing a game.
Some of the questions we didn’t know how to approach, so we tried using common sense.
I learnt a lot through the game. It was tough, but as Stephen reminded us: ‘In every job opportunity we always have something to learn and to progress’ and ‘don’t lose your passion’.
I learnt how to put myself in situations that I had never been in before. And it made me think of things I had never thought of before.
For example, when dealing with big budgets (which I haven’t yet), you need to think things through, check with people from different departments and so on. It has helped me have a more mature approach to future jobs.
The game showed me some gaps in my understanding, but also how I can fill those: work as a team. And it prepared my mindset for future challenges.
It was fun (which I didn’t expect)!
It gave us time to discuss in the different teams. Learning from other people, and different approaches was really useful. I wish we would have done it again.
Alex tried Corporate Snakes and Career Ladders as part of her Master’s programme at the London College of Communication. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter – and if you’re interested in helping contribute to her research, do reach out to her.
And if you’d like to try the game: see if it is right for you.
If you’re an alumni and you’d like to be interviewed by Carmen, let us know here.
Corporate Snakes and Career Ladders 