Bruce Dias 
A decade ago, gaming was seen as a waste of time, and most parents would reprimand their kids for wasting their time on something that wouldn’t benefit them. They didn’t know that gaming would later create something huge: Esports. The Esports industry has grown tremendously over the years. Because of this growth, many young individuals can indulge in the industry. Career opportunities are emerging in esports like game development, professional gaming, broadcasting, and esports management. But how do you boost your chances of securing these careers as a student? Here is how to go about it.
Develop Gaming Skills
Academic writers at a professional research paper service write high-quality papers because they have the skills required for the task. For you to deliver in esports, you also need the right skills. When developing your gaming skills, the most important factor to consider is focusing on selecting and specializing in one or two games and being an expert in them. But why is this important? Well, for starters, specialization allows you to deeply understand the ins and outs of that specific game. You develop a strong grasp of its strategies, mechanics, and player dynamics. It makes it easier to identify and counter your opponents’ moves. Through specialization, you can also analyze team compositions, develop effective communication with your teammates, and identify vulnerabilities.
Being a specialist in one game requires one to select games that have strong competitive scenes. Thus, you should do proper research and analysis. Choose games that have professional leagues, frequent tournaments, large followership, and big prize pools. Also, consider games with frequent updates, many active players, and an enthusiastic developer community.
Before specializing, consider which role you want in esports. Just like many industries, esports also have big and small roles. So, you’ll need to understand the roles available and determine which will be best considering your skills. Some of the roles include:
- Player/gamer
- Event manager
- Caster
- Marketer
- Content developer
- Administrator
- Referee
However, since there is high completion in esports, setting a disciplined practice schedule is vital if you want to succeed. A consistent routine will enable you to focus on specific improvement areas. It will enable you to track your progress and refine your skills.
Reach Out to Popular Esports Companies
Most esports companies are always searching for expert gamers. Most of them often look for players with strong communication, gaming skills, and experience. So, if you have such skills, here are companies you might consider reaching out to:
- Riot Games (League of Legends)
- Electronic Arts (FIFA)
- Valve Corporation (Dota 2)
- Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch)
To stand out from the competition of so many gamers looking to get hired, you’ll need to tailor your application materials and highlight relevant skills and experience. Showing your expertise in specific gaming platforms, genres, and roles demonstrates your value to employers. Moreover, showing you can adapt to changes and embrace teamwork can increase your chances of being invited for an interview. Also, ensure you are up to date with all the industry news and emerging companies, if any.
Network and Cultivate Relationships
If you want to succeed in the esports business, networking is essential. Making a connection with groups and experts can lead to new opportunities and collaborations. Tournaments and conferences are great places to network because they bring professionals together to exchange ideas. Having a professional online presence can also be achieved through networking. You can establish your brand and interact with like-minded people with this presence.
X and LinkedIn are two resources you can use to find professionals in esports. Look for terms like “esports manager,” “esports coach,” or “esports streamer” that are associated with the esports industry and job functions. Use hashtags such as “gaming,” esports,” and “programming” to find discussions about esports.
Furthermore, take part in esports-related online communities. You can learn from others and share your strategies in these groups. Online communities are also an excellent place to find useful information and learn more about the esports industry.
Study a Degree in a Relevant Field
Acquire a degree in a related esports field to remain competitive in the industry. Courses that are more relevant include game design and development, esports management, digital media, esports marketing, and computer science. A degree will prepare you for the job market and open more opportunities for better-paying jobs.
Due to the growth of the esports industry, many universities have developed esports-specific programs that incorporate coursework from fields such as coursework in fields such as marketing, business, and game design. These programs help to enhance some of the special skills needed in the esports industry, such as group skills, planning skills, and interpersonal skills. Also, some universities have opened their doors to gamers and provide esports scholarships. Take advantage of such programs to smoothen your journey to an esports career.
Another reason to get a degree is that esports organizations and teams search for candidates with a variety of academic backgrounds. For example, people with engineering or computer science degrees can perform well in game development, IT, and data analysis. On the other hand, those with a marketing or communication background can excel in social media management, branding, and community engagement.
Acquire Transferable Skills
To change into a non-gaming career, you have to gain transferable skills. Skills like project management are transferable since esports teams need a plan and direction to achieve their goals. Other crucial transferable skills include task scheduling and resource management, which are essential in managing esports operations. Marketing skills are also valuable as they help grow brand awareness and find investors.
Take-Home Point
Esports has much potential, and if you have been considering taking a career in this industry, this is the right time to sharpen your tools. Many people are already taking esports roles as full-time careers and are making it big. It can be a competitive path, but with all the above tips, you stand a chance to increase your chances of succeeding.
