When I defended my dissertation, I was ready for the next step. I wanted to keep going—post-doc studies, deeper research, the whole academic questline. But two weeks later, I was packing up my life and moving to a new state, with no university affiliation to sponsor my next phase.
So, I shelved it. For a while, I thought the story ended there
.Then one of my friends in Australia messaged me. He mentioned that a friend of his, a teacher, was fighting to convince her school board to allow Dungeons & Dragons as an educational program. She needed research, something credible to show that D&D wasn’t just “fun and games,” but a genuine framework for building social and cognitive skills.
He asked if he could send her my dissertation.
I said yes (anyone who’s ever written a dissertation will gladly take the opportunity to send it on and/or discuss it, ad nauseam).
A few weeks later, he forwarded me this message:
“So, I just heard back from one of the people I handed your dissertation to for their own research.
It really REALLY helped them in getting D&D Activities set up at the school they’re a teacher at.
They were able to use many of the concepts you’d covered to give a pitch to their management, and it basically helped them wow their bosses so much that they had no rebuttals, and just went ‘Yes.’
They only just now told me about it, and asked me to pass on their thanks and multiple levels of their appreciation for you.”
I sat there staring at my screen, stunned. Someone across the world had used my research to change how their school taught kids! To make play part of learning.
That was the moment I realized something:
My work didn’t need to live in a university archive to make an impact. It needed to be allowed to empower other people.
From the Table to the World
I’ve always believed that D&D is more than dice; it’s a framework for learning about human interactions and behaviors.
Every character sheet is a lesson in self-awareness.
Every failed roll is a test in resilience.
Every campaign is a masterclass in collaboration.
My research wasn’t about fantasy worlds; it was about the real world. I examined how adults engaged in online Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and developed, recognized, and transferred new skills from the game table into their professional and social lives. What emerged wasn’t just evidence of learning, but proof of leadership, adaptability, and teamwork evolving in real time, during one of the most isolating periods in modern history. You can read my dissertation for free via ProQuest.
That teacher in Australia reminded me that this is what “transferable skills” truly means. We don’t leave our creativity, problem-solving, or emotional intelligence behind when the session ends. We take it with us. We live it.
Enter Meritworks Institute
That moment planted the seed for what would become Meritworks Institute.
Because we’re all walking around with skill trees that no one ever taught us to name.
Because the hours we’ve spent learning, building, performing, leading, parenting, or gaming already count, we need the right language to prove it.
The 6-Week Skill Transference Bootcamp is about decoding that hidden brilliance: Turning “I run campaigns for my friends” into “I design interactive experiences that foster teamwork and strategic thinking.”
Turning “I’ve played for years” into “I’ve practiced narrative design, adaptive leadership, and conflict resolution in collaborative environments.”
It’s about seeing the data of your life the way that teacher saw my research: as proof of your value.
The Lesson
When someone halfway across the world uses your work to make change, it’s humbling. It’s affirming. And it’s a reminder that titles, awards, or algorithms don’t measure our impact.
Sometimes, impact looks like a classroom full of kids rolling dice and learning how to be better humans.
Sometimes, it’s the spark that says: “If they can do it, maybe I can too.”
Call to Action
If you’ve ever felt like your story doesn’t “fit the system,” or that your experience doesn’t translate, this is your invitation to take the next step.
🎓 Explore the Meritworks 6-Week Skill Transference Bootcamp and start turning your play into your proof.
And tell me, what skill did you level up the last time you played?
Until next time, adventurers, keep rolling. 🎲
💋 Chrissy
Thanks for reading The CEO Showgirl! This post is public, so feel free to share it.