eSports scholarship promotes gaming careers

The gaming industry has come a long way, and the recognition of Stephanie Economou’s Grammy award for scoring Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök is a testament to its growth.

It’s also the first time the Grammys have acknowledged a composer in the video game genre, which reinforces gaming’s value as a serious career path. Shaun Fuchs, founder and chief executive of Centennial Schools, says, “The worldwide gaming industry is worth more than $200 billion annually, and there are hundreds of jobs available within it, making it a viable and exciting career path.”

Fuchs’ school has built the largest eSports arena in Africa, recognising the need to reimagine education for the 21st century.

“eSports is not just students playing computer games; we have incorporated eSports into our overall approach to education as it teaches students valuable skills beyond the classroom,” he says.

Gaming enables students to develop soft skills like teamwork, strategic thinking, good sportsmanship, and leadership, as well as a new range of career opportunities.

Within the gaming industry, there are numerous career possibilities, including game developers, camera operators, catering, screen action, content creation, cinematography, copy editing, project management, social media managers, accounting, HR, lecturing, and research. These career opportunities make gaming an attractive and lucrative field.

To encourage young South Africans to explore these opportunities, Centennial Schools has launched the first eSports scholarship in South Africa. Fuchs explains that the scholarship is “a once in a lifetime opportunity for young gamers,” with three scholarships to the value of R750 000 on offer.

The scholarship’s competition requires participants to compete in several games, including Minecraft, Aim Labs, Overcooked, and Superliminal. Students can enter the competition on the Centennial Schools website, with entries closing at the end of February.

Centennial Schools is one of many institutions worldwide that recognises the value of gaming in education and careers. The eSports scholarship is a step towards making gaming more accessible to young South Africans, and it’s an excellent opportunity for those who want to pursue a career in gaming.

Gaming has evolved from a hobby to a career option that offers various career possibilities. Through the Centennial Schools eSports scholarship, students can explore this career option and develop valuable skills that can help them succeed in life.

Click here to apply for the scholarship.

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