Featured image: Microsoft Copilot
To some, the main criteria for entering into the esports industry is playing games, or having some experience in playing games. So the interest to venture into building a career around it may seem easy for some, but it is not the case. The leading misconception is that esports is “game-focused”. Sure, the players and game titles do make it look as though that is the core of esports, but it is bigger than that.
The industry is built on the foundation of the games and players, but there are individuals and departments that help to sustain the esports industry and push it forward. To have esports be attractive to audiences, esports organizations need both fans and sponsors to be sustainable, have top-tier production conducted by tournament organizers, and a stable leadership and management. It has to be viewed as a crossover into entertainment and sports industries, and not one or the other.
Business Scaling
Most esports enthusiasts today came from rapidly developing industries, and although many had had experience through networking, and knowledge acquired from their college days, they did not have prerequisite business skills. Yes, many graduated from computer science and/or computer engineering, and could put together impressive ideas on life-changing projects, but they lacked that in business skills. Knowing proper documentation, human resource management and product pitching to investors are a part of what should be taught to enthusiasts of the tech industry so they navigate their way in the world of business much easier.
Esports Education In Specialized Courses
The age range for personnel in the esports industry has a lot of young faces in there, and there are many who jumped in the industry with a pure passion for the scene. Having esports grow further into professionalism, there have been more specialized skill sets that have become essential. It makes it tough being employed with an esports organization if you have little to no proper education and work experience hence rather employed individuals from entertainment or sports exclusively. What potential recruits need to bear in mind is that yes esports organizations are game-focused, but they also focus on revenue generation, brand establishment and the creation of a sustainable business model. So to get in the esports sector and stay for long, having a background in specialized courses such as esports leadership, esports management, esports specialization among others can help in securing roles within the industry.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Copilot
Management
Esports stakeholders who may have had to learn about management and human resources can use these skills to help workers who have low-specialized skills in the industry. This is because moving forward in the modern day landscape of esports, esports companies need personnel who have specialized skills in the areas of design, branding, management, coaching among other related spaces, and also importantly the pulsating love for esports.
Transferable Skills
These skills are a part of the basics of management and current technology jobs. For the start of careers for esports enthusiasts, these skills form the basis of learning, and they also help players who may look to continue careers in esports after they stop playing. Enrolling in courses that provide individuals with foundational skills such as effective communication, leadership skills, strategy, personal branding, can help boost their esports careers from a business perspective.
Conclusion
Successful careers in esports are generally dependent on these aspects, and even if esports careers are not the ideal venture, they are still useful to other fields and can help with their growth and sustainability.
Esports has helped create jobs for lots of people. Interested in knowing about the business side of esports? Listen to the Gamers Change Lives Podcast! We get experienced guests from all around the world featuring.
Written by Jeffrey Osei-Agyeman
