Esports is an exciting fast-paced industry, but it’s also hard work – and getting your foot in the door can be a challenge. Esports career advice can of course help.
We interviewed a range of individuals heavily involved in different aspects of esports.
Michael ‘ODEE’ O’Dell (pictured, right) is the chief gaming officer of Infinite Reality, which owns the London Royal Ravens, Rogue and more, as well as playing esports in the past before setting up Team Dignitas.
“From a player’s point of view; it’s about drive. What you’re trying to do and what you really want to get to.
If you want to be a top pro, you gotta work really hard and it is not easy. Watch as much as you can from other pros, watch what they do and listen to them.
Just practice, it really is practice practice practice.”
Michael ‘ODEE’ O’Dell, London Royal Ravens
You can find the full interview with ODEE and Trei here:
Frankie Ward started her esports career at the BBC covering the League of Legends 2015 World Championship and then progressed to a producer role at Twitch. Frankie then went on to hosting and interviewing which led her to be one of the most well-known hosts and interviewers in the esports scene.
“Come to events like Insomnia, EpicLAN; opportunities to be involved with these events are quite large.
There is the age old issue that some people are born with the opportunity of having a gaming PC all their lives, not everyone has that. Hopefully twitch is a lot more accessible to audiences and things like that. I am conscious that it is a lot easier for people with means to work for free. So if you can afford to do that, then do that.
I would love to see initiatives from websites to at least pay for board, food and things like that for people volunteering for them so it when they do come to events like this (Insomnia 69) they can get that experience they need.”
This job is all about contacts, so once you get your foot in the door, it is about how you conduct yourself.”
Frankie Ward, esports host
Frankie went on to recall how she started writing articles whilst at university and attending events under her university radio station. The full interview can be found here:
Nathan Edmonds is an esports entrepreneur, making his mark as the social media manager of Excel Esports. He went on to setup his own sweets business, Sweet Cabin, and is now the head of social media at Hotdrop. Although most importantly he is half of the Boomer and Zoomer podcast with Esports News UK’s Dom Sacco.
“Please don’t ever be afraid [to approach esports people at events]. Dom and I, I don’t think ever come across as intimidating, I hope not, but I know at events if we’re running about busy and distressed, people think I am arrogant.
“We (Dom and Nathan) are always willing to help and always will do. It’s on you to reach out and start that first conversation.”
“To reach out to anybody that you’re interested in working with, hit them with an agenda and a point straight away. It is not rude, you’re jumping to the point and saving them time.”
“If you want to be even smarter about it, do a little bit of research.”
Nathan Edmonds, Hotdrop
The full Boomer and Zoomer podcast can be found here:
The most important piece of advice would be just to start doing. Don’t wait for people to give you opportunities without first doing, as they most likely won’t come. If you don’t know how to start, look at someone who is currently in the position you want to be in and see how they started.
The British Esports Federation also has a page on individual esports career roles.
