"Countless people have benefited from video games during the pandemic because of the connectivity to others,” 游戏设计 graduate and seasoned esports professional Rob Walker.

Rob recently secured a role as Director of Operations with Florida's premier developmental esports club, 电子竞技塔. He says he finds esports' current state reminiscent of its grassroots origins.

"的电子竞技 organizations developed from LAN competitions in the early 2000s, and employees were essentially all virtual at that point,他说. "I believe that the virtual model works well for most organizations and roles in the industry because esports is not a 9-to-5 job. It's a 24/7, on-and-off, always ready to move, work environment."

电子竞技塔 not only added Rob to the team, but has brought on three other grads for roles in social media management, 平面设计, 和指导. In a commitment to keeping the team safe, Rob has yet to actually meet any of his coworkers in person.

"To this day I still haven't met anyone from the company in person because the company has been virtual since the beginning,罗布说。.

Rob and his 电子竞技塔 colleagues aren't the only grads benefiting from the unique role esports plays in entertainment in the time of coronavirus.

Multiple graduates from the 媒体 通信 program have joined the team at Seattle-based esports organization Evil Geniuses in internship roles for content creation. Julianna DeSimone – one of the recent grads selected for the newly launched internship program – is happy for the chance to work in her desired industry. "There are no words to describe how blessed I am to be working with Evil Geniuses," she says. "[They've] done everything they can to support me in my remote position."

游戏设计 grad and former 满帆 Armada Vice President Ethan Hayes has also found full-time work in esports during the pandemic. Recently hired by West Virginia Wesleyan College to run its collegiate esports program as Head Coach, Ethan feels good about how esports has been able to keep itself moving in uncertain times.

"Coronavirus has given esports a little bit of legitimacy,他说. "[Entertainment has] switched completely to an esports environment, even how Twitch streaming and broadcasting has become the new way to experience events."