by Mykiah Bonhom, Spectrum Industries, Inc.
Is A Esports Degree Worth It?
Esports is rapidly growing in education. Initially, there were just club teams competing within their schools, but now colleges and universities are offering degrees in esports. However, with the rise of esports degrees, many questions have arisen about the validity of a gaming/esports major. It is well-known that the professional side of esports is currently facing challenges, particularly in revenue generation and growth management. Additionally, on the development side, there are ongoing waves of layoffs among world-renowned gaming publishers. This has raised concerns about whether it is ethical to enable students to obtain a degree in a field that is currently experiencing low job security. Despite these concerns, there are many benefits for a student who chooses to pursue an esports/gaming degree.
What is an Esports Degree
First, it is important to define what an esports degree is. A gaming/esports degree is an academic program that provides students with knowledge of the gaming and esports industry. This program covers various aspects, including the business side of the gaming industry, along with the growth of the esports industry. Publishers, developers, streaming services, fandom, and esports teams are just some of the topics covered. Once students have learned the foundations of the gaming industry, they then take that knowledge and apply it to their preferred field of work. Potential career paths in esports could include team management, event management, broadcast production, game development, and more.
Degrees and Social Life
When a first-year student arrives on campus, the first thing they want to do is find friends. Before thinking about classes, they want to make their campus feel like a home. This includes joining clubs, extra-curricular activities, and participating in freshmen-centered events. Still, one of the easiest places for students to make friends is in their classes. While your degree determines the classes you will be taking, it also influences who your classmates are, who you can study with, and who you bond with over stressing for a big exam. People tend to form friendships with those they spend the most time with. Not every student has the confidence to go and approach strangers even if it is an event designated to find friends. Students interested in esports can more easily connect with like-minded individuals in gaming when they share common academic schedules.
Emerging Career Paths
When people think about the esports industry, most envision the professional side. It is no secret that the professional sector faces immense challenges in revenue generation and scalability. No matter how passionate someone is about esports, it can be disingenuous to encourage them to pursue a degree in a field with such uncertainty in job security. However, the professional sector does not encompass all esports job opportunities. Educational institutions across the country are heavily investing in esports programming within their schools. The military has expressed great interest in developing esports programs to promote recruitment and retention. Recreational centers and youth development clubs are also investing in esports. Grassroots esports initiatives are increasingly common as the industry expands. There are many areas where students can secure stable jobs right out of college. These organizations are looking for candidates who understand esports so they can aid in developing their programs. This creates plenty of opportunities for internships, part-time, and full-time positions where students can use their knowledge from an esports degree to help build the next generation of esports programs.
Skill Development/Transferable Skills
Studying for an esports degree does not confine one to a job in esports and gaming. It is common for people to end up in fields that are completely different from their degree. The skills that are developed in a gaming degree can be transferred to many other fields of work. For instance, a game design student can apply their skills in various industries. Many companies seek expertise in User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design for web and mobile app development. Students skilled in 3D modeling and animation could not only work at a world-renowned animation company like Pixar, but they could also use their skills for an advertising or marketing agency. Additionally, with AI's ascent, individuals proficient in C++ and Python can contribute significantly to companies integrating artificial intelligence into their operations. Apart from game design, a field that is experiencing rapid growth is broadcast production. In a society that is embracing streaming as a means of production, the necessity for talent will continue to grow. Students who are running their schools’ Twitch stream for the local community are the future of broadcasting for not only esports but all forms of online entertainment.
Innovative Ideas
Over the past decade, social media stars have risen dramatically in popularity. TikTok creators, Twitch streamers, YouTubers, and gaming athletes are now generating viewership numbers that could soon rival those of traditional sports and even Hollywood. This surge in popularity highlights a significant shift in how entertainment is consumed, especially among younger audiences. Consequently, many companies are striving to find creative ways to market and engage with this new generation of fans who avidly follow these influencers. (https://escharts.com/)
Who could grasp the tactics of marketing and revenue generation from these outlets more than the generation that grew up engaging with this form of media? These young adults and teenagers are not just passive consumers; they are active participants in the culture of social media. They follow trends, contribute to viral content, and interact with influencers daily. This deep understanding of the digital landscape allows them to understand what makes content appealing. By tapping into the expertise of this generation, companies can develop more effective business strategies that actively engage with the target demographic. Their firsthand experience and intuitive understanding of online communities position them as an ideal candidate to drive the future of influencer marketing and revenue generation.
Final Thoughts
Pursuing an esports degree offers both significant opportunities and challenges as does any career path. While the professional side of esports faces uncertainties, the broader industry provides a wide array of stable career paths. Additionally, the skills acquired in an esports program are highly transferable to other fields of work. As social media and digital entertainment continue to evolve, the generation that has grown up immersed in this culture is uniquely positioned to lead and innovate. So, an esports degree not only equips students with specialized knowledge but also prepares them for a dynamic and expanding job market, making it a worthy consideration for those passionate about the field.
My Experience
“Choosing to go to Shenandoah University for the Esports Management major was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only did it allow me to easily find friends who shared my love of gaming, but it also helped me discover a career path that I love. Sure, it is possible to enter the esports industry without obtaining a major, but for me, it was not about the major; it was about the people running the program. Joey Gawrysiak used all the resources at his disposal to ensure that I had ample experience and knowledge of esports. Sometimes, even though it is possible to do it all by yourself, there is nothing wrong with finding a place that provides you with the necessary tools to achieve your goals. To me, what makes an esports program valuable is if the people in charge are willing to lead, educate, and mentor students who want to work in esports.”
Mykiah Bonhom is an Esports Specialist with Spectrum Industries. Mykiah graduated from Shenandoah University, as a Presidential Scholar, with a degree in Esports Management.