Nintendo Speaker Panel

Marketing & Media Careers at Nintendo – Speaker Panel Recap 

On January 26th, ABSA hosted an exciting panel featuring two professionals from Nintendo who shared their experiences in marketing, project management, and navigating early careers. Panelists Ina Antonio and Karina Chan discussed their paths from UW involvement to working on global brands, and offered practical advice on internships, mentorship, and succeeding in corporate environments. 

Meet the Panelists! 

Ina Antonio 

• Foster School of Business Class of 2024 (Information Systems & Operations and Supply Chain Management) 

• 2 Year President of BITS 

• Project Management Intern at Nintendo 

• Returned full-time as an Account Administrator in the Third-Party Publishing Department 

Karina Chan 

• Communication major and ABSA Alum 

• Growth Marketing Intern at Zeta 

• Recruited as a contractor at Microsoft in the Paid Search department 

• Currently in Paid Consumer Marketing at Nintendo 

What on-campus involvements prepared you the most for your career? 

Ina: Student jobs played a major role in preparing her for the workforce, especially because they aligned closely with her internship experience in customer service and now her work with multiple publishers. She also emphasized that leadership roles in RSOs provide real-world experience that translates well to interviews and resumes. 

Karina: Karina encouraged students to explore widely. Trying different programs at UW and holding multiple roles within ABSA helped her understand what she enjoyed and what she didn’t. Being proactive in leadership positions also helped her build strong communication and teamwork skills. 

What does a project or campaign look like at Nintendo? 

Ina: Her work depends on where a game is in its life cycle. She focuses on ensuring titles, ranging from AAA releases to indie games, are ready for launch, coordinating across multiple teams and keeping partners informed. 

Karina: Karina works across various social media and digital advertising platforms, making sure ads are placed effectively. While agencies handle much of the creative work, she manages media trafficking and ensures campaigns run smoothly. 

What would surprise students most about how Nintendo operates? 

Ina: Despite being a global entertainment company, Nintendo’s offices are relatively small, and employees often work with the same close-knit teams. 

Karina: While there are many moving parts, Nintendo places a strong emphasis on investing in its people. This culture makes employees feel more connected to the product and the company’s mission. 

What unique challenges have you faced, and how did you navigate them? 

Ina: Nintendo values diverse perspectives and supports employees through various affinity and community groups (such as API organizations). These networks help foster inclusion and provide strong support systems. 

Karina: Coming from a large Asian community in California, transitioning into corporate culture was a major adjustment. She described it as a “group project with many unwritten rules” and noted that learning to navigate professional norms came with a steep but valuable learning curve. 

How have mentors, peers, and relationships shaped your career? 

Ina: Having a mentor was crucial in adjusting to corporate life, especially when transitioning from being surrounded by peers to working with senior professionals. Mentors helped her learn how to handle new situations with confidence. 

Karina: RSOs and conversations with older friends provided valuable career insight and connections. She encouraged students to leverage past experiences and relationships to open doors and explore opportunities aligned with their goals. 

What is one skill every student should develop? 

Ina: Effective communication and teamwork are essential when working with stakeholders both inside and outside your team. 

Karina: Communication is key because half of your job is making sure people understand what you’re doing. She advised students to present solutions, not just problems: do your research, propose an idea, explain your approach, and then seek feedback. 

Were there any misconceptions about post-graduation work life? 

Ina: Hybrid work was an adjustment after seeing classmates every day. Staying connected with her intern class and peers helped maintain a sense of community. 

Karina: Fully remote work can feel isolating, and contract roles may come with short timelines and lower pay. However, they are valuable for building experience and getting a foot in the door. 

If you could work on any Nintendo franchise, what would it be? 

Ina: Kirby or helping select third-party games. 

Karina: Pikmin… or even Wiggler! 

We hope this panel gave you a clearer picture of what careers in marketing, project management, and media can look like at a global company like Nintendo. Be sure to join us next Monday for our International Students Career Event with ASUW, we look forward to seeing you there!