Gaming Can Become a Sustainable Career For Youth!
Gaming is not just about pwning noobs or flexing on your friends with your high score, it’s a secret weapon for our youth to upskill, with the added ability to kick off lucrative careers.
Yes, your late-night gaming sessions could be more than just a distraction to avoid chores; they just may be the future of your career.
So, let’s get into the reasons why gaming is a true game-changer for upskilling and careers.
Why Gaming Is the Best Upskilling Tool
Sherlock Would Be Jealous of My Problem-Solving Skills
Gaming immerses you in situations that are rushed and require ingenuity; it’s a sharpened form of real life.
Whether you’re evading traps in an RPG or manipulating them in strategy games, you’re developing your analytical and adaptive skill.
Problem-solving in games? Check. Problem-solving IRL?
You’re ready.
Team Work Makes the Dream Work
Multiplayer games train you to collaborate, to communicate, to work with other people toward a common goal — skills you’re going to need in any workplace.
Plus, yelling, “Cover me!” in a raid definitely counts as leadership training, am I right?
Digital Literacy on Point
Gaming inherently surrounds players in digital environments. Learning to navigate interfaces, troubleshoot issues and control the electronics all contribute to your skills with tech. So next time your parents nag you about your gaming, tell them you’re “honing your digital literacy.”
Creativity Gets a Power-Up
Games allow you to indulge your creative side, whether it’s customizing characters or building fantastical realms. These creative drills manifest in real-life projects as original ideas. If you are capable of building a dragon castle in *Minecraft*, you can certainly take on a brainstorming session at work.
Flexibility: Because Life is a Pervasive Boss Fight
There are constant changes in the rules for games — new levels, harder enemies, surprise plot twists. They prepare you to be fluid, quick on your feet, and resilient in the face of failure. You know, like learning how to adult.”
Learning = Fun (Yes, Really!)
Educational games show that learning can actually be fun.
Through gamifying content, players stick like glue to the material and engage deeply with it.
Who knew algebra could be fun, especially when it’s part of saving a kingdom?
Taking Gaming Skills and Making Them into Careers
Gaming not only upskills youth but can also be a clear pathway to rewarding careers.
Here’s why you might consider transcending from player to pro:
Get Paid to Rave: Can you get your friends hyped for a great book or movie?
Whether it’s streaming, esports or game design, if you love what you do it can make work seem less like, well, work.
There’s A Place In Games For Every Type Of Person: From tech geniuses to artists and marketing professionals. There is a great demand for developers, designers, streamers and even esports coaches.
Stacks and stacks of cash: We can’t forget that the best streamers and pro gamers can make six figures (or higher).
Creative Expression: Game development is the intersection of storytelling, art, and technology.
If you have ideas, gaming provides the means to make them happen.
You’re surrounded by like-minded individuals and a supportive community who’ll be there to cheer you on, share tips, and even become lifelong friends in some cases.
Ready to Play IRL?
So if you’re working toward some skills or career paths and would like a fun shortcut, gaming could be your ultimate cheat code.
And if you want to take it to the next level, check out programs like the QS ImpACT Skills Challenge. You’ll learn game design (and improve your own game design skills) while helping to promote the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
So pick up your phone, controller (or keyboard) and game smarter.
Who knows? Your next big win may not only be in the game; it may be in real life.
