It’s a reality many parents are familiar with: teenagers spending many hours in front of screens, often playing video games. But what may seem like a simple distraction could actually be a gateway to a lucrative career.

A recent study from Rutgers University reveals that time spent playing video games can actually prepare young people for well-paid jobs in the technology sector.

If you’re of the opinion that your child is wasting his time developing worlds in video games, or wielding a joystick, or simply setting up his computer, this study might just prompt you to think again.

Entitled “Not ‘Just A Hobby’: The Influence of Early Interest and Hobbies on Community College IT Student Decision-Making,” the report involved 43 students from the Ivy Tech Community College School of Information Technology in the US state of Indiana over a three-year period.

In this study, researchers from Education and Employment Research Center at Rutgers University in New Jersey looked at the skills that young people develop while playing video games including problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork - skills that are highly valued in the world of work, particularly in the fields of technology, engineering and project management.

Of these 43 students, more than half became interested in video games, coding and technology in general at a young age, before moving on to a career in the field.

A fast-growing market

The video game industry is booming, offering many job opportunities. According to the study, salaries in this field are also attractive, with game developer positions able to reach annual salaries of US$104,420 versus US$48,060 for the average annual salary, according to US government figures in May 2023.

"Students don’t realise it at first, but playing video games and having related hobbies is often really helpful when choosing a career and even while job hunting," said Eliza Peterson, research analyst and lead author of the study.

"For example, if they’re hosting a Minecraft server for their friends, they could parlay those skills and lessons into a server administration major and, later, maybe a career in that area of IT."

As far as employment is concerned, the market is booming, with over 377,000 IT and technology jobs expected every year. According to forecasts, the job market is set to grow much faster than for other professions between now and 2032. Growth of 25% for software developers and 32% for information security analysts is predicted.

The experts offer simple advice for parents: parents should believe in and support their children.

"Parents and practitioners alike may wish to keep these findings in mind, by encouraging and fostering IT-related hobbies and interests, and by helping individuals see that skills gained through their hobbies could be useful in community college courses, and even in the workforce."

 - AFP Relaxnews