Competition in the world of electronic sports remains unwavering, with a relentless dedication to excellence
The Long Beach City College (LBCC) has made a significant stride in the world of esports by opening the largest esports lab in Southern California. The lab, named the LBCC E-Sports Lab, was built between March and July 2024, and it's equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide students with an immersive and professional gaming experience.
Simplified Wiring and AV Installation
The lab's AV installation was made simpler thanks to the Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability of the Extron components. This technology allowed for the streamlined wiring of the 47 Alienware gaming stations and five teaching stations, as well as the five tracking PTZ cameras, the Extron MGP 641 xi multi-window processors, and the various encoders and decoders.
Enhancing Skills and Career Opportunities
Dr. Nohel Corral, LBCC's EVP of student services, stated that the lab was created to prepare students for emerging career opportunities in gaming. Taking part in esports aids skills development, enhancing communication, leadership, teamwork, and strategic thinking abilities among students.
Esports has led to LBCC students being offered scholarships to four-year universities and careers in technology, broadcasting, and game development.
Career Opportunities in Esports
Students at LBCC interested in the esports industry can explore a variety of career opportunities. Here are some potential paths:
Esports Coach or Strategist
- Role: Analyze team performance and develop strategies to improve gameplay.
- Skills: Strong understanding of game mechanics, analytics, and team dynamics.
- Employment: Many colleges are starting esports programs, creating opportunities for coaches and strategists.
Esports Journalist
- Role: Report on esports events, trends, and personalities.
- Skills: Strong writing, interviewing, and storytelling skills.
- Employment: Opportunities in online publications and media outlets covering esports.
Videographer and Editor
- Role: Capture and edit esports events and content.
- Skills: Proficiency in video production software and hardware.
- Employment: Work with esports teams, event organizers, or media companies.
Social Media Specialist
- Role: Manage social media for esports teams, players, or organizations.
- Skills: Understanding of social media platforms and content creation.
- Employment: Opportunities with teams, leagues, and esports-focused companies.
Esports Event Manager
- Role: Organize and execute esports events, including tournaments and competitions.
- Skills: Event planning, coordination, and management.
- Employment: Opportunities with event organizers and esports companies.
Game Developer (Esports Focus)
- Role: Develop games with esports in mind, focusing on competitive gameplay.
- Skills: Programming, game design, and understanding of esports markets.
- Employment: Major game development studios, especially those with esports titles.
Pursuing Esports Opportunities
- Networking: Attend esports events, join college esports clubs, and connect with professionals in the field.
- Internships: Apply for internships with esports companies or teams to gain hands-on experience.
- Education: Consider programs or courses that focus on game development, esports management, journalism, or related fields.
- Job Boards: Utilize job boards like Hitmarker and Indeed to find available positions in the esports industry.
By focusing on these areas and leveraging resources available at LBCC, students can position themselves for successful careers in the esports sector.
A Boost to the Community College
The LBCC Esports Lab is a real boost to the community college, with demand for the esports course being strong among students. The facility has an optimized lighting system, a shoutcaster production booth, and independent operational infrastructure. The lab provides uninterrupted network and power to the esports lab at all times.
LBCC's players compete in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) leagues against more than 600 other colleges and universities nationwide. The lab has seven 75-inch 4K displays on the walls around the gaming floor, two 65-inch displays in the shoutcaster booth, a 75-inch display in the reception lobby, and a 55-inch display in the hallway.
The facility was conceptualized by Chris Greenwood and Mayra Aguilar, with help from Gabe Giangualano. At LBCC, esports is classified as a sport just like football or baseball.
- The LBCC E-Sports Lab, equipped with top-notch technology, is designed to equip students with skills for emerging career opportunities in gaming, such as game development, technology, broadcasting, and esports coaching.
- In the esports industry, potential career paths include being an Esports Coach or Strategist, Esports Journalist, Videographer and Editor, Social Media Specialist, Esports Event Manager, or a Game Developer with an esports focus.
- To pursue opportunities in the esports sector, students can network at esports events, apply for internships, consider relevant education and programs, and search for available positions on job boards like Hitmarker and Indeed.
- LBCC's esports lab, with its optimized lighting system, shoutcaster production booth, and independent operational infrastructure, boosts the community college by attracting students and providing a professional environment for sports-classified esports competitions in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC). The lab features numerous 4K displays for a fully immersive gaming experience and was conceptualized by Chris Greenwood, Mayra Aguilar, and Gabe Giangualano.
