# Planning for a Career in Esports

  

## Job Description and Person Specification for Jobs in Esports

Esports careers span a wide range of roles, from professional gameplay to marketing, production, coaching, event management, and data analytics. A **job description** outlines the duties, responsibilities, working conditions, and salary of a specific role, whereas a **person specification** details the required skills, knowledge, qualifications, and personal attributes.

**Example Roles:**

* **Esports Player**: Requires excellent game knowledge, reaction speed, and communication skills.
* **Shoutcaster/Commentator**: Needs strong verbal communication, charisma, and deep game knowledge.
* **Coach/Analyst**: Analytical skills, game theory understanding, and mentoring ability.
* **Production Crew (Observer, Camera Operator, Editor)**: Technical production skills, software knowledge, and attention to detail.

Useful resource: [British Esports Career Pathways](https://britishesports.org/careers/) provides descriptions of roles within the industry.



## Producing a Personal Skills Audit Against a Selected Career Pathway

A **personal skills audit** is a reflective tool used to assess your current abilities, experience, and gaps in relation to your chosen career.

**Steps:**

1. Select your desired role (e.g. Esports Event Manager).
2. Review the job description and person specification.
3. Assess your current skills and identify where you meet or fall short.
4. Create an action plan to bridge the gap (e.g. taking a course in event planning or volunteering).

**Tip:** Use templates such as those provided by [Prospects.ac.uk](https://www.prospects.ac.uk/planning-your-career/self-assessment/skills-audit) to create structured audits.



## Interests, Accomplishments, and Work Experience

Your **interests** often indicate where you may thrive professionally. If you are passionate about competitive gaming, broadcasting, or digital design, these interests can guide your pathway.

**Accomplishments** might include:

* Achieving high ranks in competitive games.
* Streaming consistently on platforms like Twitch.
* Running a community gaming event.
* Winning a school or college esports tournament.

**Work experience** is invaluable. Whether paid or voluntary, time spent in related areas such as IT support, media production, or customer service builds transferable skills. Try to document and reflect on each experience.



## Personal Qualities

These underpin success in any role:

* **Reliability**: Being dependable, meeting deadlines.
* **Organisational Skills**: Managing tasks, time, and resources efficiently.
* **Commitment**: Willingness to invest time and effort.
* **Resilience**: Handling setbacks positively.
* **Empathy**: Understanding others' perspectives, key in team environments.

These can be developed and evidenced through both esports and non-esports activities like sports, school projects, or volunteering.



## Basic Skills: Literacy, Numeracy, IT

No matter the job role, foundational skills are essential:

* **Literacy**: Reading and writing effectively, useful for reports, communication, and content creation.
* **Numeracy**: Analysing stats, managing budgets, or interpreting performance data.
* **IT Skills**: Familiarity with software like Excel, OBS, Adobe Premiere, Discord, and content management systems.

Free IT and digital skills courses: [The Skills Toolkit (UK Gov)](https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/)



## Experience: Leadership, Employment, Volunteering, Travel

**Leadership** could be demonstrated by captaining a gaming team, managing a Discord community, or running a school club.

**Employment** and **volunteering** in customer service, tech support, or digital media build practical understanding and soft skills.

**Travel**, especially for events or tournaments, can demonstrate independence, adaptability, and cultural awareness.

Look for experience opportunities via:

* [National Citizen Service (NCS)](https://wearencs.com/)
* [Do-it.org](https://do-it.org/)



## Qualifications: Educational, Sector-Specific, Role-Specific

**General education**: GCSEs and A-levels or equivalent qualifications are a baseline for most roles.

**Further education**:

* **Esports BTECs or Diplomas** (available at various UK colleges).
* **HNDs** or **Degrees in Games Development**, **Digital Media**, **Event Management**, or **Broadcasting**.

**Industry Qualifications**:

* **Production**: Adobe Certified Professional.
* **Streaming & Media**: OBS Studio and Twitch Creator Camp.
* **Coaching**: Sport or performance psychology courses.

Explore more: [UCAS: Search for esports and games courses](https://www.ucas.com/)



## Generic Employability Skills

These are vital across all esports roles:

* **Teamwork & Cooperation**: Crucial in competitive gameplay and event planning.
* **Communication**: Written and verbal, in-person and digital.
* **Problem Solving**: Quick thinking during live broadcasts or gameplay.
* **Strategic Thinking**: Understanding the bigger picture in tournaments or business planning.
* **Multi-tasking & Performance Under Pressure**: Especially in live-streaming, managing overlays, audience interaction, and gameplay.
* **Social & Digital Skills**: Managing your public profile, interacting with fans or team members.

Courses to build these: [FutureLearn Free Career Courses](https://www.futurelearn.com/career-advice/skills)



## Specific Technical Skills

Some esports-specific **technical skills** include:

* **Cyber Skills**: Network security, streaming setup, software configuration.
* **Dexterity & Reaction Time**: Sharpened through hours of competitive gaming, measurable in games like *Valorant* or *Counter-Strike*.
* **Game-specific skills**: Tactical awareness, character roles, and meta understanding.

Gamers can track performance using platforms like:

* [Tracker.gg](https://tracker.gg/)
* [Aim Lab](https://www.aimlab.gg/) (for improving aim and reflexes)