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Why is gaming not a good career choice?
i love gaming but my parents dont think it is a career choice
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6 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
From my experiences, with people who work within the industry, it can be somewhat cyclical.
If the market is good, for a specific product, then there is a demand, and thus there will be a lot of work as far as research and development.
If there is no demand, then opportunities could dry up, unless you are cross trained in a variety of skills and technologies, which will enable you to transfer into an area, which is currently being developed, and provide opportunities for you to use your range of skills.
If the market is good, for a specific product, then there is a demand, and thus there will be a lot of work as far as research and development.
If there is no demand, then opportunities could dry up, unless you are cross trained in a variety of skills and technologies, which will enable you to transfer into an area, which is currently being developed, and provide opportunities for you to use your range of skills.
Updated
Barbara’s Answer
Gaming as a career can be challenging due to its competitive nature, instability, and limited opportunities for most individuals. Only a small percentage of gamers achieve significant financial success, and the industry often requires long hours and a constant need to stay relevant. Many gaming careers lack job security and benefits, making it a less stable option compared to traditional career paths. While passion for gaming is important, it's essential to have a backup plan and consider more stable career options while pursuing gaming as a potential side endeavor.
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Tommy’s Answer
Hey Hanna,
Gaming is definitely a lot of fun and there can be success in the field. While it wasn't enough to be sustainable long term, I actually did play fortnite competitively and made money through official tournaments/streaming when I was in high school and that was my job. The reason why your parents may be concerned about the career path is the same reason my parents thought the same - that they don't see how it can be sustainable long term since it isn't something they grew up with.
While a little harsh, this isn't terrible advice, as it can be very competitive and I would say it is 90% luck and 10% hard work. Think of potential success in the gaming world as the grind it takes to become a professional athlete or actor/musician. Many people try and fail, and only the top 1% are able to make a living off of it, and you need to put in a lot of hours without making money until you get the big break.
If you really want to give gaming a shot, you definitely can, but make sure you have a set plan on what you think would help you make it big. I would also have a backup plan just in case it doesn't work out, and that might be something your parents will agree to.
Also, if you're interested in gaming, are you looking more into being a professional in esports or more the content creator route?
Gaming is definitely a lot of fun and there can be success in the field. While it wasn't enough to be sustainable long term, I actually did play fortnite competitively and made money through official tournaments/streaming when I was in high school and that was my job. The reason why your parents may be concerned about the career path is the same reason my parents thought the same - that they don't see how it can be sustainable long term since it isn't something they grew up with.
While a little harsh, this isn't terrible advice, as it can be very competitive and I would say it is 90% luck and 10% hard work. Think of potential success in the gaming world as the grind it takes to become a professional athlete or actor/musician. Many people try and fail, and only the top 1% are able to make a living off of it, and you need to put in a lot of hours without making money until you get the big break.
If you really want to give gaming a shot, you definitely can, but make sure you have a set plan on what you think would help you make it big. I would also have a backup plan just in case it doesn't work out, and that might be something your parents will agree to.
Also, if you're interested in gaming, are you looking more into being a professional in esports or more the content creator route?
Updated
Victor’s Answer
Choosing a career in gaming is only advisable if you're serious about becoming a professional and making money from it. Securing contracts can help build your retirement savings. However, remember that gaming is a specialized field with intense competition - you could be one of thousands vying for a single position.
While it's important to pursue your passions, don't forget to plan for the future too. After all, it's your life!
Best of luck!
While it's important to pursue your passions, don't forget to plan for the future too. After all, it's your life!
Best of luck!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Hanna !
Barbara's advice rings true. There may be a way that you can still enjoy the gaming world while actually going to college for a marketable degree.
There are several Majors in college that you can take that will help you obtain a career around gaming. Maybe not competitive game-playing, but you can always do that as a hobby. Sometimes people hear the word "gaming" and they think that you want to play for a career. But here are some college major studies that you might explore and see if it is something you'd be interested in. Consider Computer Science with a focus on Game Development, Interactive Media, Game Design and Development, Animation, or Computer Science with a Gaming Concentration. People hearing that you will pursue Computer Science will have a different reaction than when you tell them "Gaming".
In the meantime, see if you can join some gaming organizations and pick up information for the subject you like. Contact the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), NRG Esports, TeamSoloMid, Entertainment Software Association, International Game Developers Association, and the Digital Games Research Association. So it is true that you can immerse yourself into the world of gaming before during and after your college path for a degree that will help you obtain a career.
Try not to let others discourage you as far as family because you can put it to them as computer technology which isn't far from the truth, yet would illicit a different reaction from them. Remember that you have to find a way to do what you love and whichever route you take can open doors for you.
I was thinking that once you become of age, you could probably get a job in one of the casinos in your county. Remember that you can always be a gamer but for work, you'd have to have a study a major that includes gaming.
I hope this helps. Keep enjoying the gaming world and I wish you all the best !
Barbara's advice rings true. There may be a way that you can still enjoy the gaming world while actually going to college for a marketable degree.
There are several Majors in college that you can take that will help you obtain a career around gaming. Maybe not competitive game-playing, but you can always do that as a hobby. Sometimes people hear the word "gaming" and they think that you want to play for a career. But here are some college major studies that you might explore and see if it is something you'd be interested in. Consider Computer Science with a focus on Game Development, Interactive Media, Game Design and Development, Animation, or Computer Science with a Gaming Concentration. People hearing that you will pursue Computer Science will have a different reaction than when you tell them "Gaming".
In the meantime, see if you can join some gaming organizations and pick up information for the subject you like. Contact the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), NRG Esports, TeamSoloMid, Entertainment Software Association, International Game Developers Association, and the Digital Games Research Association. So it is true that you can immerse yourself into the world of gaming before during and after your college path for a degree that will help you obtain a career.
Try not to let others discourage you as far as family because you can put it to them as computer technology which isn't far from the truth, yet would illicit a different reaction from them. Remember that you have to find a way to do what you love and whichever route you take can open doors for you.
I was thinking that once you become of age, you could probably get a job in one of the casinos in your county. Remember that you can always be a gamer but for work, you'd have to have a study a major that includes gaming.
I hope this helps. Keep enjoying the gaming world and I wish you all the best !
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Hanna, you will always have people giving you advice. From parents, to teachers, to friends, to strangers that you haven't even asked.
And you'll get advice here since you asked your question.
At the end of the day we all have one life, and it's not a very long one.
Here's my advice, and take it for what it's worth... which at the end of the day may be absolutely NOTHING.
Advice is great, but it's your decision ultimately. YOU have to decide what it is that YOU want to do aside from what your parents, friends, teachers, or anyone else thinks. You have to live your life... they have lived and are living theirs.
So take the advice and weigh it against what YOU want to do and then decide.
No with all of that out of the way :) My advice around a career in gaming:
Are you competitive right now? How good are you? Are you playing and winning against some of the best players?
I don't know how old you are, but I do know that there's a limited window physically for professional gamers. The synapses and reflexes you need to win degrade as you get older. I don't know what the cutoff point is but it's definitely a young persons game (no pun intended.)
If you answer those questions honestly and can say yes then I would say give it a shot!
You're a student so I assume you're young. If you aren't at that level... GET to that level. And if after a period of time and practice you can't get to that level then you have your answer.
But YOU decide.
My background, for what it's worth... I got a Journalism degree because it was "sensible"
I worked for a newspaper for a year and was miserable.
I wanted to be an actor and almost minored in Acting.
So I quit the newspaper and moved to LA and became an actor.
I wasn't terribly successful... did a couple TV shows and some short films and realized that the acting business was not for me.
But I decided... not my parents or anyone else. ME. So I have no regrets... I don't sit around and think, "what if?"
I can tell you most of the people that will give you advice do exactly that. They didn't have the courage to follow their dream and they took someone else's advice about a career that didn't want because it was "sensible."
After acting I worked behind the camera as a VFX artist on several television shows and movies and I LOVED my work. I was nominated for a couple of Emmy awards and then went to work for NASA doing the same thing I did in film/TV.
After NASA I got a job in video games as a VFX artist and that's where I've been for the last 15 years.
I have no regrets. I did my best. I found out for myself, and I'm proud of the life I led.
And I'll tell you a secret (not really a secret) my parents sure as hell weren't telling me I'd made the wrong decision when they were sitting in the audience at the Emmy awards for their son who was nominated.
Good luck in whatever you do... and follow your passion... be honest... work hard... and have no regrets.
And you'll get advice here since you asked your question.
At the end of the day we all have one life, and it's not a very long one.
Here's my advice, and take it for what it's worth... which at the end of the day may be absolutely NOTHING.
Advice is great, but it's your decision ultimately. YOU have to decide what it is that YOU want to do aside from what your parents, friends, teachers, or anyone else thinks. You have to live your life... they have lived and are living theirs.
So take the advice and weigh it against what YOU want to do and then decide.
No with all of that out of the way :) My advice around a career in gaming:
Are you competitive right now? How good are you? Are you playing and winning against some of the best players?
I don't know how old you are, but I do know that there's a limited window physically for professional gamers. The synapses and reflexes you need to win degrade as you get older. I don't know what the cutoff point is but it's definitely a young persons game (no pun intended.)
If you answer those questions honestly and can say yes then I would say give it a shot!
You're a student so I assume you're young. If you aren't at that level... GET to that level. And if after a period of time and practice you can't get to that level then you have your answer.
But YOU decide.
My background, for what it's worth... I got a Journalism degree because it was "sensible"
I worked for a newspaper for a year and was miserable.
I wanted to be an actor and almost minored in Acting.
So I quit the newspaper and moved to LA and became an actor.
I wasn't terribly successful... did a couple TV shows and some short films and realized that the acting business was not for me.
But I decided... not my parents or anyone else. ME. So I have no regrets... I don't sit around and think, "what if?"
I can tell you most of the people that will give you advice do exactly that. They didn't have the courage to follow their dream and they took someone else's advice about a career that didn't want because it was "sensible."
After acting I worked behind the camera as a VFX artist on several television shows and movies and I LOVED my work. I was nominated for a couple of Emmy awards and then went to work for NASA doing the same thing I did in film/TV.
After NASA I got a job in video games as a VFX artist and that's where I've been for the last 15 years.
I have no regrets. I did my best. I found out for myself, and I'm proud of the life I led.
And I'll tell you a secret (not really a secret) my parents sure as hell weren't telling me I'd made the wrong decision when they were sitting in the audience at the Emmy awards for their son who was nominated.
Good luck in whatever you do... and follow your passion... be honest... work hard... and have no regrets.