As per Forbes, the gaming industry has experienced steady growth since its inception in the 1970s. Their projections suggest that by 2027, the industry will reach a value of $312 billion dollars. With over 3 billion individuals worldwide engaging with the technology and community associated with gaming, its influence permeates various aspects of people's lives. This indicates that beyond mere leisure, there exist abundant lucrative career prospects within the industry.
As Kollab Youth remains committed to staying on top of evolving workforce trends, investing in an industry projected to expand by $50 billion over the next three years is a strategic imperative. Since its inception, Kollab Youth has placed a high priority on exposing teenagers to leaders and innovators within this burgeoning community.
Kollab Youth Advisory Board Member William “Chip” Beaman is one of those leaders. Beaman has been professionally in the gaming industry for many years. He began his career working at Disney where he helped develop the first Toy Story game. Now, he runs the Halp Network, which connects freelancers in the gaming world with companies who need support. Beaman highlighted Halp Network’s focus on providing diverse talent, both in skillset and representation.
“I realized that I found passion in pairing people with jobs that would be a fit for them and the receiving organization,” Beaman stated about his current career. “You need to have passion in your job. As soon as I entered the gaming field, I found that this industry is where my passion lived. When I had the chance to be a speed mentor at Teen Summit (last February), I told all the kids to find that passion in their work.”
Beaman has dedicated almost four years to collaborating with Kollab Youth, yet he regards his time at the Teen Summit as the most cherished. Being able to directly engage with the teenagers in person during this event was truly rewarding for him. His commitment to both the behind-the-scenes operations and the front-facing initiatives within Kollab Youth exemplifies the positive impact these individuals have on young people. It's particularly crucial to involve top talents from industries that hold significant appeal for many of our teenagers.
John J., a newcomer to Kollab Youth, is already expressing gratitude for the opportunities the Kollab Youth program has provided him, including the chance to meet his gaming idol. Raised playing video games alongside his father, John has cultivated a community with fellow enthusiasts who share his passion. His dedication to gaming is profound; so much so, he is shaping his educational and career path around it, pursuing a degree in computer science with aspirations to become a video game developer. Little did he realize he was greatly impacted by Beaman's advice and passion.
“Kollab Youth is preparing us for our futures,” John said. “I am learning a lot of new things. And, I am having fun! I am very grateful to have access to so many of their resources like internships, apprenticeships, and scholarships.”
Students like John should feel reassured about the status of the gaming industry. Beaman describes the market as “wide open.” He says that as long as people understand technology, there is plenty of room to have success as engineers, artists, animators, voice actors, programmers, etc.
The stories of Beaman and John serve as a prime illustration of how Kollab Youth unites individuals who share common aspirations within an industry or field of service. Above all, Kollab Youth aims to enlighten teenagers about the array of opportunities available to them and to impart the skills necessary to craft a professional and personal life they can truly take pride in. Kollab Youth is grateful for Board members like Chip who inspire our youth and educate them about the world around them.
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