EPTBut, like others, my career began to grow over the years. Later that year I began to start writing articles for a professional Chinese team, wNv. I spent most of my waking hours working on my eSports career. Either trying to become a professional player, or further developing my portfolio as a behind the scenes character. Eventually the decision was made that I would no longer pursue a career as a player, and sadly I accepted that I would never be a pro-gamer. That said, I am equally happy - if not more happy - to be behind the curtain as a staff member rather than in front, as a player. Ultimately the decision was mine, and I have no regrets when it comes to that decision.
Regardless of the career path I chose, I always consider what I did, and what I currently do, my work. My full time career. Whether I was a volunteer at wNv, or a paid staff member elsewhere, I always considered the work I was doing important, and exactly that, work. My attitude towards eSports is a very serious one, I am sure my co-workers past and present will agree. Sadly that is not the case with everyone, and as a result many people treat eSports as a passing fling they can simply log into and work when they feel like.
This is one of the reasons there is such a high turnover in volunteer staff members. Most positions in eSports from a staff perspective are unpaid. This leads to the following situation;
A fan will follow eSports for a length of time and become hooked. Their passion for eSports leads them to wanting more, they want to work within the industry. Naturally, with no eSports experience they are required to apply for an entry level position. This is where things get sticky. Most organizations never pay their bottom tier staff, those positions are almost always volunteer spots. Additionally, unless you apply yourself 100% every day and possess an alternative skill set that allows you to move up in the ranks to perhaps a paid or compensated position, you are stuck in that lower tier position.
This is where most people quit. Either they can't find an excuse to dedicate that much time to eSports anymore because they aren't being paid, or they just don't enjoy the work they thought they would. Of course there are other reasons, but these two seem to play out the most frequent.
Now, like I said before, eSports is not just a hobby or a fling, it is a job, it's work. Those of us who do this full time (or even part time) take this very seriously. I think that is something people should take into consideration when they are looking at becoming more involved in the industry and want to pitch in a hand and help.
That said, eSports is a very rewarding gig if you can dedicate and apply yourself the right way and make it work. eSports has afforded me many opportunities I would not otherwise have been able to experience. For instance, I have been able to travel around the world, much of it for free, in order to go to LAN events. I met my girlfriend through eSports even though she herself is not necessarily an eSports enthusiast. I have earned enough money to put myself through college. I have made many friends in many countries around the world that I would otherwise never have met. With eSports I have even been able to develop a career in business/marketing which is what I major in at school. I was even able to obtain an internship in China/Hong Kong through my efforts in the eSports industry.
eSports is an amazing industry with a world of opportunities and aspects which anyone can enjoy - whether you are a fan, a player or a behind the scenes staff member. eSports offers something truly special, that not many other industries in the world can offer to such young people.
This is the full blog, but if anyone cared - this is the original.
