Behind the thrilling tournaments and passionate fan communities lies a sophisticated business ecosystem that demands skilled professionals who understand both gaming culture and business fundamentals. Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) is at the forefront of preparing the next generation of esports business leaders through its innovative Esports and Gaming Administration program.
While competitive gaming grabs headlines, the esports industry creates diverse career opportunities that extend far beyond professional playing. “Esports is one of the fastest growing and developing industries in athletics. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry, so we’re developing the Esports Management concentration in order to prepare students to go out and provide those same types of skill sets that we see in traditional athletics: broadcasting, event management, equipment and facilities, and all those different types of careers,” explains Jeremy Benoit, Director of Athletics at GBC. “Because of the money backing Esports and the types of tournaments that they run, it’s kind of its own animal. We’re here to try to prepare people who want to get into that field for the specifics surrounding Esports management.”
The program’s curriculum reflects this dual focus. Students dive into traditional business subjects like marketing, finance, and management while simultaneously exploring esports-specific topics such as:
What sets GBC’s esports management program apart is its emphasis on practical experience. The college’s state-of-the-art esports facility serves as a laboratory where students can apply classroom concepts in real-time. From organizing local tournaments to managing streaming operations, students gain hands-on experience that translates directly to industry roles.
The career landscape for GBC graduates is diverse and growing. Graduates from esports management programs can secure positions as:
The program’s business foundation ensures graduates can pursue opportunities in traditional industries while bringing valuable gaming industry insights to their roles. This versatility is particularly valuable as more traditional companies seek to engage with gaming and esports communities.
The esports industry is new and evolves rapidly. GBC’s program evolves with it. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect new trends and technologies, ensuring students stay ahead of industry developments. Recent additions include courses on:
At the helm of GBC’s esports program is David Lawrie, the college’s first head coach, whose impressive career spans both professional playing and coaching. Lawrie’s experience includes coaching positions at prestigious organizations like Veloce Esports, Alpine Sports, Torrent, and Farmville, where he demonstrated his ability to build and develop competitive teams through sophisticated training methods, including video analysis and statistical evaluation.
His playing career highlights include victories at the World Showdown of Esports 4 in Las Vegas and Dreamhack Summer 2017 in Sweden. As captain of Mock-it Esports, he led his team to a runner-up finish at the Rocket League Championship Series in Los Angeles. This combination of competitive success and coaching expertise brings an invaluable real-world perspective to GBC’s program.
GBC has made a significant investment in its esports infrastructure, transforming an existing computer lab in the Fulmer Center into a cutting-edge esports arena. The facility features:
As the esports industry continues to mature, the demand for business professionals who understand its unique dynamics will only grow. GBC’s Esports and Gaming Administration program stands ready to meet this demand, preparing students for successful careers in this exciting field.
“Predictions about Esports in particular are a little challenging to make, just because it’s such a new field in the grand scheme of business management, right? But with that said, it’s the fastest growing field in our area so I would predict similar growth, and I think the job opportunities are going to continue to grow as gaming continues to blossom,” notes Jeremy Benoit. “In a field as creative as Esports and gaming, I think there’s always going to be new opportunity in that field, in management, game development, game design, but then also the event management of the different tournaments. There are opportunities worldwide in this sport. It’s not like American football that’s siloed to the United States of America and has little pockets. Esports is a worldwide competitive opportunity for people to get jobs.”
For students passionate about gaming and interested in business, GBC’s program offers a unique opportunity to turn that passion into a career. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, graduates will be well-positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in esports business.
Ready to explore a career in the business side of gaming? Learn more about GBC’s Esports and Gaming Administration program and how it can prepare you for success in this dynamic industry or schedule a campus visit to see for yourself.
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Goldey-Beacom College is a Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
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