Over the past two decades, esports has rapidly become a serious industry. How serious? According to a 2022 report from Newzoo, global esports was expected to have an audience of over 532 million and generate revenues of $1.38 billion by the end of the year.
In other words, esports has become a large and complex commercial enterprise, which translates into growing job opportunities for those who have a solid grasp of both gaming and business. A degree in Esports Management is an ideal way to acquire this.
Fortunately, you don’t have to leave Vacationland to find programs that will help you launch your career in this exciting field. After a quick introduction to esports, we’ll explain what you learn in an Esports Management program and where you can earn an Esports Management degree in Maine.
What is esports? Here’s a quick overview.
If you’re reading this article, you may already know a lot about esports. If you’re relatively new to this subject, however, we wanted to provide you with a brief description of what it’s all about.
Esports (or “electronic sports”) refers to organized, multiplayer video game competitions. Players can compete individually or as teams in games like Dota 2, Fortnite, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Tournaments often offer prize money to winners, with the top events handing out tens of millions of dollars.
From its early beginnings in the 70s and 80s, esports has grown rapidly in the past two decades, developing rules and standards for how tournaments and teams are organized. It has even become a collegiate sport in the US, with many schools hosting a varsity-level esports team.
This growth of esports has brought with it expanding employment in all kinds of jobs that support the industry. This includes the development and sale of software, marketing, tournament organization, coaching, and team management.
What do you learn in an Esports Management degree program?
For those with an interest in gaming, esports is a great opportunity to develop a career centered on something you enjoy. To be competitive for jobs, however, you’ll need some training. A degree in Esports Management can help you stand out in this growing field.
There are plenty of programs out there in business management that will teach the principles that apply to any kind of business operation. For example, you’ll learn about marketing, accounting, economics, and human resource management.
That knowledge is foundational for understanding the business side of esports, and a four-year degree in Esports Management will give you a thorough grounding in it.
But it will also give you something other business degrees won’t: a comprehensive knowledge of the esports industry, including the culture, the demographics of fans, and emerging trends.
You’ll understand the world of esports from both a business and an audience point of view, enabling you to make a serious contribution to your job in esports from day one.
Esports Management degree programs in Maine
If that kind of degree program sounds exciting to you, you may be wondering about your options for programs in Maine.
Esports is relatively new on college campuses. While several colleges in the state have added an esports team or club, there are very few degree programs at this time. In fact, there is only one school that offers a dedicated bachelor’s degree in esports management: Thomas College.
Located in the scenic town of Waterville, Thomas College has a history of creating innovative, career-oriented programs. Our BS in Esports and Gaming Management gives you all the elements of a traditional business management degree coupled with a number of courses focused on esports and the gaming industry. The program includes several electives that allow you to dive deeper into the areas that most interest you.
When you study esports at Thomas College, you’ll also have the opportunity to gain something crucial for giving you an edge on the job market: real-world experience. Thomas has a varsity esports team and even gives athletic scholarships for esports players. It’s an ideal context for you to get hands-on experience with what you are learning.
You can find out all the details on the Esports and Gaming Management program page.
Let’s Connect!
We’re excited that you are considering a career in esports. For students interested in gaming, it’s a unique opportunity to combine your interests with a promising business career.
As you explore your options, we’d love to share with you a bit more about what makes Thomas College a unique place to study Esports Management, including our close-knit campus community and Guaranteed Job Program. We would also welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you might have.
Interested? Fill out a quick form and we’ll be in touch.