Success takes many forms, and our definition of success is often shaped by the decisions we make and the life experiences that we undergo.
This International Women’s Day, we speak with four women at Virtuos who have taken non-linear paths in their careers. Representing women at different stages of their lives and careers, they share their personal stories and definitions of success.
Jia Yuhan, Sherry – Management Trainee (PMO) at Virtuos Chengdu
1. What drew you to the management trainee role?
What attracted me most to the role of Virtuos’ Management Trainee was its rotation program, which allows me to explore different functions and grow quickly without being confined to a single, linear career path from the start. As someone at an early stage of my career, I wanted the space to learn, adapt, and discover where my strengths truly lie.
The opportunity to work and live across different countries/regions was another major draw.
Experiencing diverse cultures, collaborating with colleagues from around the world, and building global perspectives have all shaped my growth in unexpected ways.
Most importantly, I’m able to grow within an industry I’m truly passionate about. Virtuos’ strong commitment to nurturing female leadership in the gaming industry made the decision even more meaningful to me. Knowing that the company actively supports women in building long-term, impactful careers reassured me that there is always a place for women in games, and that this program was the right first step into my professional life.
2. What support helped you find your footing whenever you faced uncertainty early on?
I’ve always considered myself as one who is very independent. Studying and working overseas taught me to handle uncertainty on my own, both professionally and personally, so I became used to solving challenges by myself. However, after joining Virtuos, I realized that we don’t always have to navigate everything alone.
The support from my team and other colleagues and the thoughtful guidance from my leaders helped me when I faced difficulties at work. Their approach was genuine and heartfelt, which made me feel truly supported and gave me a strong sense of belonging. Knowing that I could rely on others when needed allowed me to grow with more confidence.
In addition, Virtuos’ well-structured rotation program reflects the social responsibility and care of an industry leader. The company proactively considers the challenges that come with relocation and role transitions, ensuring we are supported throughout the process. This allows us to focus fully on contributing to our teams and on our personal development without worries.
For me, learning to accept support and grow through collaboration has been an important reminder that what we achieve in the workplace is a journey shaped by both independence and shared team strength.
3. At this stage of your career, what does success mean to you?
I don’t see success as reaching a fixed title or following a perfectly defined path. It means having the courage to explore, learn, and grow, even when the direction isn’t always clear.
I currently feel fulfilled when I’m making steady progress through experiences that challenge me, whether that means stepping into unfamiliar roles, working across cultures, or learning from moments of uncertainty and adjustment. Each experience, even the difficult ones, has helped me better understand my strengths and the kind of professional I want to become.
In conclusion, success means building a foundation for my future, where I develop skills, confidence, and resilience, while contributing to the industry I love.
Neha Verma – HR Director at Virtuos North America
1. What prompted you to consider a change of direction in your career?
I began my professional journey as a dentist, deeply committed to improving lives through healthcare. However, as I moved across multiple countries, I faced the reality of rebuilding my career more than once.
During that period of transition, I reflected on what truly mattered to me.
I realized that while my environment was changing, my core purpose remained the same: to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Pursuing an MBA with a concentration in HR allowed me to transition into a field where I could create impact at both the individual and organizational levels by influencing culture, leadership, and growth in a broader way.
2. What support helped you find your footing whenever you faced uncertainty early on?
The most challenging aspect was transitioning from a medical profession to the business world, which required not only building new technical expertise but also redefining my professional identity. It demanded humility, resilience, and a willingness to start again. The support of mentors, leaders who believed in my transferable strengths, and my family was instrumental throughout this journey. I also believe it was my commitment to continuous learning and adaptability that played an important role in my career.
3. At this stage of your career, what does success mean to you?
Today, success means creating sustainable impact through strengthening leadership and building environments where individuals can thrive. It is about leading with integrity, resilience, and purpose. For me, success is not defined by titles, but by the lasting difference I make in the lives and careers of others.
If there is one message I hope to share, it is this:
Your path does not have to be linear. Every pivot and challenge adds depth to your leadership, and often the detours become the foundation.
Marta Perez Garcia – Senior Animator at Virtuos Paris
1. What led you to step away from work to study animation?
I have a background in art studies. I spent five years working in art, then studied some generalist 3D courses, before stepping into the industry and held lead and project manager positions. But I always felt like I was leaving something behind. I wanted to work on the creative side.
When the office closed while I was working at Blizzard, it felt like a huge setback. I tried to see the positive side and refocus my path toward Animation, something I had always loved. I studied for about 18 months and started working as an animator through an internship here at Virtuos.
2. How did your approach to work change when you returned to the workplace?
At first it was scary. I felt like I was restarting from the ground up. But then I had a mindset shift and told myself: “Wait a minute. I’m not restarting; I just need to gain experience on this new path and learn new tools. I still have a ton of valuable skills from my time as a Project Manager that I can apply to my day-to-day work, share feedback and help the team.” Everything we do counts, and this is just one more step forward. Everything I’ve experienced up to now will help me navigate these first years.
I also made a point of observing how things were done in the animation team, so I could incorporate what my colleagues were doing into my own workflow. They were a huge help, and I’m really grateful to them.
3. At this stage of your career, what does success mean to you?
For me, success means being happy with what you do. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy what you create, and to feel proud of what you build, that is success. Sometimes we’re hard on ourselves because we want bigger positions or titles, but the reality is that those might not bring you happiness. What will make you happy is finding joy in your day-to-day life, staying inspired, and maintaining balance.
A big key for me is having a job where you’re always learning something new. That feels like a true marker of success, because you can feel yourself evolving and you know that you’re growing.
Camille Thomas – General Manager at Sparx*
1. Looking back, what unexpected turn shaped your leadership the most?
My most unexpected turn was moving from a finance executive role into a high-energy, creative world of studio operations. It shifted my focus from the precision of numbers to the complexity of human potential and creative mindsets.
2. How do you empower your team?
In my transition from finance to studio operations, I’ve realized that structure isn’t the enemy of creativity; it’s the support for it. I use my past experiences to handle the complexity of the business side, purposefully creating a space where the team can stay focused. My goal is to provide operational stability that allows a team’s passion and talent to really take the lead.
My leadership approach comes more from observing the power of different perspectives. I realized the world of finance could actually be a strength in studio operations. Instead of doing what has always been done, I wanted to see how a more structured mindset could give a creative team more room to breathe. I’ve always believed that it’s our differences that make the work truly spark, and I’ve tried to build my leadership around that collision of ideas.
3. At this stage of your career, what does success mean to you?
At this stage of my career, success is defined by alignment. At the age of 45, I’ve reached a point where my professional responsibilities and my personal values finally speak the same language.
Success means waking up with a genuine sense of contentment because I am deeply happy with the work I am doing and the life I’ve built.
It’s the luxury of being able to pour my energy into a team I care about while feeling completely at peace with my own journey.
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” reminds us that progress grows through generosity, shared knowledge, and collective effort. Through the stories of these four women, we hope to inspire others to pursue what they are passionate about with courage, knowing that support systems exist to carry them forward. Success is rarely linear, but every path can lead to growth and fulfilment.
