While choosing a degree and career path might come easy to some, for others, it can be incredibly stressful. Knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life when there is still so much you have yet to experience is not easy.
So if you are still undecided about what major to choose, don’t fret. You are certainly not alone in that feeling, and it’s okay if you need to take the time to explore more options.
Perhaps you are simply struggling to think of a career path because all of the usual options aren’t calling to you. If this is the case, it might be worth considering something a bit more outside of the box.
There is a wide range of more unique degrees that people don’t often know about because they don’t get as much attention as some of the more conventional options — esports being one of them. And no, you don’t necessarily have to be a gamer to pursue a fun and exciting career in this rapidly growing industry, which is expected to reach a value of nearly $12.4 billion by 2030.
If esports sounds like something you might be interested in, this article will offer a rundown of all the basics to help you decide.
A Degree in Esports
Choosing a degree is more than just following a career path that you love. The job you end up with can have a significant impact on your life financially, physically, and even mentally. As such, it’s important to take this into consideration when finally declaring a major.
The career you end up pursuing, for example, can negatively impact your mental health, leading to burnout, lowered productivity at work, depression if it is not the right career for you. However, in contrast, if you decide on a career you are more passionate about and enjoy, you are likely to have more positive mental health effects.
So, while a degree in esports might seem more unusual, there’s no doubt that it can be an exciting career that can bring you lots of joy.
And yes, there are specific programs out there if you are interested in a degree in esports, with many programs designed to mimic traditional sports programs, and with entire communities dedicated to gaming enthusiasts, Esports is a rapidly growing industry, turning gaming from a simple pastime into exciting events and competitions, and as such, there are now various career and degree options in the field.
The University of North Carolina – Wilmington, for example, started a college-level esports team in 2020 and introduced a new esports program, offering both undergraduate and graduate courses for things like Esports Leadership, Development, Audio & Video, Coaching, and more.
Careers Options in Esports
It’s worth noting that though some universities now offer specific esports programs, you don’t necessarily have to get a degree specifically in esports to pursue a career in the industry. Like most other industries, there are hundreds of other jobs that need filling to make esports possible. So if you’re not a gamer or even interested in game design, you can still pursue a degree that will allow you to enter into the field of esports if that’s where your interests lie.
So, what careers are available in esports? Let’s take a look.
1. Game Design & Programming
Of course, the first and most obvious choice, if you want to work in esports, is to pursue a degree and career as a game designer or programmer. Game design and programming are at the core of any game. In these roles, you will be responsible for much of the coding that goes into building and designing the foundation of a game. In a way, you are like an architect or an engineer in these roles.
2. Art & Animation
Where game design and programming are like creating the blueprints of a game, artists and animators are the ones that add color and style and really bring the visual aspects of a game to life. So if you want to still be involved in game design but are looking for something less technical and more creative, then a career in esports art & animation might be more to your liking. If so, you can pursue general degrees in digital art and animation, or you might want to specifically look for a degree in interactive media design.
3. Audio & Sound Design
If creating visuals aren’t your thing, but music and sound are, then you can work as a sound designer or audio producer for esports games. Those who work in sound collaborate with the game designers to craft an audio experience that sets the right mood and enhances or complements gameplay. This can include designing the music as well as any of the other sounds or audio effects that are part of gameplay.
5. Production, Operations, & Broadcast Media
If you are less interested in the game side of things and are more interested in the event aspect of esports, then a career in event management or broadcast media might be more for you. Esports are quickly becoming grand affairs, similar to other professional sporting events like football or basketball. This means that there are many roles to be filled in the realm of event production and operations.
There are also roles in media and sportscasting if you enjoy being more of the face or personality behind esports. Or maybe you want to be more of an esports journalist, writing about the events for esports news outlets. Whatever your interests, there is likely a role in esports that matches it.
5. Careers Related to the Esports Industry
Again, there is a wide range of positions that need filling in the esports industry. It’s not all about the game or the event. So if you want to be a part of this exciting industry but perhaps are more interested in working behind the scenes, these are some of the many different positions and areas of study you can look into:
- Administration;
- Talent & Human Resources;
- Customer Support;
- Analytics & Research;
- User Experience;
- Quality Assurance;
- Marketing & Communications;
- Public Relations;
- Legal;
- Finance & Accounting;
- Project Management;
- Sales & Business Development.
Wrapping Up
Esports offers an array of opportunities for those looking to take part in this growing industry. Whether you are interested in the gaming aspect, operations & production, marketing, or even the business side of things, there are countless opportunities to choose from. So if you’re still undecided about your major, perhaps esports might be a fun area of study to consider.
By Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, education, and fitness-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter.
