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It's about 11:40 a.m., and my mom yells I have to cook rice soon. I quickly get out of my SC2 game that was in progress, and ran down the stairs. I didn't care if I lose points for that game; beta is almost over anyways.
Today's lunch menu was kimchi soup with tofu in it and cebollino-chicken pie. My mom used intercom to call my dad upstairs to let him know lunch is ready. But my dad was working and was talking on his phone to one of his employees and couldn't answer my mom's call. So, my mom and I decided to eat first.
I eat quietly, as always, and my mom is worried that I am unemployed now. I studied at the University of Minnesota to be an actuary and just got my B.S. in Mathematics, and I just can't find a job in my field because of bad economy in the US. I passed the first two preliminary exams: Exam P: Probability, and Exam FM: Financial Mathematics during college years. Now, I am thinking about taking the third, Exam MLC: Life Contingencies Segment, this year.
My mom breaks the silence by talking about what I want to do in the future if I don't get employed for a long time. Initially, I say I don't know. I played the flute for about 10 years, then I realized I wasn't good enough to be in a decent orchestra, and I am not playing it anymore. I played StarCraft:Brood War for about 10 years, but I was not the best because I haven't lived in South Korea for a long time and had no chance to play with hardcore middle/high school Korean StarCraft players and learn from them.
I told my mom that if I tell her what I want to do, she will immediately reject it. She said go ahead, and so I told her I want to be a professional gamer. I told her that there's a new PC game called StarCraft II coming soon, and I wanted to participate in as many tournaments as possible when it comes out. Then, my mom asked me why I want to be a pro-gamer. I told her that it fits my aptitude and analytical mind, and I want to do what I love not necessarily for money. My mom then asked how I am going to make a living out of it and asked whether it's healthy. I told her that if I win many tournaments, I might have a chance to get into a professional gaming team in the US (like EG or Fnatic) and live with other players to support each other. I even told her that players have to regularly exercise to keep their body and reflexes fit. Then, my mom asks what will I do when I get older. I told her that I can be a coach or a commentator to support myself. Then, my mom finishes our conversation by talking about how college educated jobs provide more secure income to pay for insurances, Social Security retirement, home mortgage, etc.
My dad comes down finally at about 1:00 p.m., and my mom kept quiet.
The End
Note: I didn't say I MUST become a pro-gamer, and I didn't say I would throw away my actuarial career just to become a SC2 pro-gamer. Thank you for reading though.
 
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o_0 interesting story. your mom seems pretty open minded though. good luck with your job search
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It seems like you just sort of made up the desire to be a pro gamer based more on fantasy. Dont think of the goal, think of the journey
Do you want to practice several hours a day?
Do you have any serious practice partners or will you have to look hard for quality games and critique?
Are you self motivated enough to stick to this day in day out while having to give up a normal life (which seems to be where you were headed up until this past lunchtime) ?
You obviously can't think you're the first.. .. Why are you the most fit to do this?
How will you manage the logistics of getting to tournaments? There surely isn't going to be enough in your area (where do you live?)
Are these the kind of questions you want to fill your life with for the next several years?
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I just got a bachelor's in mathematics too!
I'm getting a master's in mathematics education and going into teaching though... it'll pay just as well as SC2 -.-'
Good luck  Follow your dream
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A lot of Koreans in Minnesota?
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17059 Posts
I'm all for following your dreams, but at some point you need to examine the practicality of pursuing what you "love" as opposed to what's pragmatic.
In terms of salary, benefits, professional opportunity, future prospects, and status, being a gamer can't compare to being an actuary. Being an actuary is also a much more realistic prospect than being even a semi-successful gamer.
That being said, good luck with whatever you pursue.
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To ella_guru: Currently, I live in Hayward, California with my parents.
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SC1 C- korean fail zerg into SC2 pro? =P Jk.
Seriously though, you should probably get at least some sort of job to support yourself even if it is part time. Even the EG guys have jobs.
Why do you want to be a progamer? SC2 is fun, but damn the hours you need to put in is so tough.
GL HF.
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I think your mother is absolutely right to be concerned. Grow up dude, you have a college education and your still tinkering with the idea of becoming a progamer? Co mon now.
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I am a pro gamer, I go to a job during the daytime, when I come home I practice for hours on hours and every two weeks I get a paycheck for my effort.
GL with your pursuit, hopefully it works out.
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has Day9´s speech of telling your mom about starcraft has anything to do with this?
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Calgary25998 Posts
On July 20 2010 06:38 Kralic wrote:
I am a pro gamer, I go to a job during the daytime, when I come home I practice for hours on hours and every two weeks I get a paycheck for my effort.
GL with your pursuit, hopefully it works out.
Hehe I like this post.
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Players come and go in the pro scene, remember that. Don't expect any longevity. An education is forever, no one can take that away from you...
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Who's to say there will even be a lasting pro scene...
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On July 20 2010 06:43 Chill wrote:Show nested quote +On July 20 2010 06:38 Kralic wrote:
I am a pro gamer, I go to a job during the daytime, when I come home I practice for hours on hours and every two weeks I get a paycheck for my effort.
GL with your pursuit, hopefully it works out. Hehe I like this post.
same...he makes it sound easy lol
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On July 20 2010 06:53 unit wrote:Show nested quote +On July 20 2010 06:43 Chill wrote:On July 20 2010 06:38 Kralic wrote:
I am a pro gamer, I go to a job during the daytime, when I come home I practice for hours on hours and every two weeks I get a paycheck for my effort.
GL with your pursuit, hopefully it works out. Hehe I like this post. same...he makes it sound easy lol
Um, I think... ah, nevermind.
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Your mom is right, listen to her.
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I people that open minded lived in my household.. T_T
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On July 20 2010 06:38 Kralic wrote:
I am a pro gamer, I go to a job during the daytime, when I come home I practice for hours on hours and every two weeks I get a paycheck for my effort.
GL with your pursuit, hopefully it works out.
I agree with this
there are a number of high risk jobs that are more fun. things like standup comedians, or pro gamers are "careers" (terrible choice of word) that can be done WHILE having another more stable job.
plz plz plz for your family's sake get a real job while you work at the SC2 thing. it is the much more stable secure and monetarily sound option.
and go to college
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17059 Posts
He does have a university degree. :/
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EPT
