#MeetIronGalaxy – Sara Helwink

Costume play incoming! For this installment of interviews with our people, we’re dressing up the series a bit. Today, we’ll be learning about Sara’s passions and her contributions to Iron Galaxy as a member of our HR Team.

Iron Galaxy: What’s your name and what’s your role in HR?

Sara Helwink: My name is Sara Helwink, and I am one of the Employee Success Coordinators here at Iron Galaxy! My team works to upkeep the performance management software for everyone at the company and make sure that every team member at Iron Galaxy feels supported with bi-annual check ins, training, and resources! We have a lot of helpful initiatives in the works that we are very excited about as well!


IG: That’s wonderful. Thanks for caring about our people. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

SH: My biggest challenge is also one of my favorite parts of the job: finding time to talk to everyone. I love getting to know people and I want to make sure that I am supporting everyone. I am lucky to work at a company where there is just such an abundance of awesome people! I can only schedule so many meetings in a week, and I always feel rejuvenated and happy to converse with so many people.


IG: Maintaining relationships and looking out for everyone in the company is no ordinary task. What’s one skill you learned growing up that you find yourself using in your role?

SH: One skill in particular that I learned growing up is to ask questions. I find that asking questions is a path to clarity and making sure that I fully understand who I am speaking with and what they are describing. A lot of my role can be seeking to understand, and having a curious, questioning mind is better than one that makes assumptions.


IG: That skill underlines why you’re a relatable resource for the whole company. What has been your proudest moment at Iron Galaxy?

SH: I’ve had so many great moments, but what feels best is any opportunity where I can fully dive into my role and use my skills to help others. When teammates reach out with a problem or question, I like to be a problem solver, or at least offer my best support and appreciate that I was someone they reached out to for solutions.


IG: How is your specific job unique when compared to the other roles in our company.

SH: I am lucky enough to say that my job is not only unique in the company, but I think in the industry. Going back to when I read the description for this job, I was amazed that it even existed, and even more excited that it fit all my interests. I was obviously over the moon to get an interview and ultimately a job offer! My role focuses on employee well-being and feedback, two things that are imperative to a healthy work environment and something I am proud to support at Iron Galaxy.


IG: If you could give someone who wanted to follow in your career footsteps one piece of advice, what would it be?

SH: There is not one clear path. Try different things, figure out what you like, and follow that feeling. That is NOT the advice that I would have appreciated in college, but it is the truth. For so long, I traveled down paths that either seemed safe or that others recommended. Ironically, the quickest way to get to a job I wanted was to follow where I felt I was the most motivated and had the biggest impact. Mostly just following what I was passionate about!


IG: Ironically. Ha, we saw what you said there. Thoughtful of you to recognize the advice you needed versus what you wanted to hear. What is the best thing about working at a video game development company?

SH: Working with like-minded people that have a similar creative edge. It’s nice to work at a place where I feel accepted, and ideas are free-flowing. I’ve also always had a “How does that work?” mindset, so I’m really getting to learn a lot about the ins and outs of game development.


IG: What is the greatest impact you’ve ever seen a video game have on someone’s life?

SH: The way that games can bring people together always makes me happy. Especially any game you play on a team with friends. You learn so much more about them that you might not ever know under different circumstances, and it teaches you to collaborate in ways you might not always be presented with.

Any game that can take you to what feels like another rich, intriguing world to discover with fun characters to meet is great. Something that people can love and escape to!


IG: It’s a unique perk getting to work with creatives who are open to side conversations. Speaking of perks, what’s your favorite associated with your job?

SH: Hhhmm, honestly just being able to work and collaborate with so many passionate people! We all care very much about what we’re making and why we do what we do, which makes it easier to work together and understand one another.


IG: How collaborative do you get to be with those passionate individuals?

SH: In some ways, super collaborative! In my role, I speak to people across many different disciplines and levels, and it makes the work so enjoyable. I feel like I am continuously learning and providing my piece of a much larger puzzle. At the same time, my team is small and outside the development sphere, so kind of a mix of both.


IG: All essential help toward the growth of IG! What is the most rewarding aspect of creating things that other people experience?

SH: Video games, and honestly any other form of media or story that someone else can experience, feels like something that has to be shared. If I have an idea or can create something that someone else can find meaning in, whether it be laughs, fun, excitement, I feel it must be shared with the world. Seeing other people find joy in something you created or helped to create - there is no better feeling.


IG: Let’s continue the creation train and learn about some of yours. It’s known across our studio that you are a cosplayer! Is there a story behind your start in cosplay?

SH: Three things: A persistent love of crafting, no matter the medium. A love of tv shows, characters, movies, etc. A con buddy that shares the first two sentiments. The first con I cosplayed at, I dressed as Korra and my friend, Kathleen, dressed as Asami, and the rest is history.

IG: What do you think is the most challenging part of cosplaying?

SH: The most challenging part, but also the most fun, is figuring out how you’re going to accomplish the look you want. I’ve always been crafty. I definitely got my inflated confidence from my dad there. If there was something we didn’t have for a project (a toy or tool) the answer wasn’t “Oh no, guess we’re out of luck.” It was more like “well, we can probably make that” or find some other resourceful way to solve a problem. And that’s what cosplay is, at least to me. It’s seeing something and saying, “you know, I think I could make that." One of the best feelings when making a cosplay is doing something in a non-traditional way and having it turn out amazing. Whether it be function, design, art, etc., this part is so satisfying. It’s essentially the “this looks great, AND it has pockets!” feeling. Also, there will be trial, and there WILL be error, but it’s somehow still fun!

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IG: Do you have a favorite cosplay you’ve ever done, or a dream cosplay you want to do?

SH: This truly varies based on interest! Right now, it’s my Keyleth cosplay from Critical Role. I always tend to like the cosplays that I’ve fully or at least mostly made myself. So as much as I love Vi and worked relatively hard in a short time span on her gauntlet, wig, and shoes, I had to buy the outfit because I was running out of time before the convention (a classic cosplayer issue). If I ever want to compete in competitions, I also have to make the majority of the cosplay. I think the best one I’ve made fully is my Riven, that was also my first one to use lighting, EVA foam, a Dremel, and prop making in general, so I really challenged myself there. That being said, my first ever cosplay was Korra, a character I really relate to, so she’ll always have a special place in my heart. Some other fun ones are Spider-Gwen, Ciri (made most of that one), Sabrina, Percy from Critical Role, Armistice from Westworld, Taylor Swift Reputation Tour, and of course Vin Diesel for my shuffleboard team: Hobbs and Shawffle.

Cosplays in the works: Langa from Sk8 the Infinity, Vex from Critical Role, Vash from Trigun Stampede, and Jinx from League of Legends.

IG: Did you go to C2E2 this year? If so, who did you cosplay as?

SH: Oh yes, I did! This year I went as members of The Legend of Vox Machina. I went as Keyleth on Friday and Saturday, and Percy on Sunday.


IG: Sweet! How did the creation process go this year?

SH: I’m most proud of my sewing work with Keyleth’s outfit, which was a mix of machine sewing and hand sewing. Her staff was also super fun because it involved lighting. I got really creative with the wig by sewing in magnets to the wig so that her antlers can just attach, and it looked like they were not fastened by anything, which is pretty neat. I was conflicted about who I wanted to cosplay as because I knew the Avatar the Last Airbender cast was going to be there. I wish I had more time to fix up my Korra costume or make a new one (wearing a bald cap and being Aang would’ve been so fun).

IG: Any advice for someone starting to cosplay?

SH: Do not be afraid to do things you’ve never tried. A lot of cosplay has been trial and error for me. No one is born an expert cosplayer, and it’s not like you need to take a course. There are a lot of great resources out there. Following other creators on social media is a smart move because they’ll often post free informational videos and explanations of their process. Some good ones are kamuicosplay and kinpatsucosplay. It also helped me to watch a ton of Face Off on SyFy for inspiration and ideas.

Other than that, conventions have great cosplay panels. YouTube is a huge help. Try to find your local makers place for access to equipment you might not have! Note: cosplay does NOT have to be expensive! There are always nice budget options out there that can look just as good!

Unreal creations Sara! Your Dad crafted a helpful and creative person. Thanks for sharing who you are with us and carefully looking out for everyone here at Iron Galaxy.

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