"Girls absolutely belong in Esports," says Shaleen, who wants more young women to see the opportunities the industry can offer. While she started our BTEC in Esports because of her love of gaming, Shaleen soon discovered Esports is about far more than what's happening on screen. From organising charity events to leading projects, she developed leadership, teamwork, event management and communication skills – and the confidence - that helped her land an exciting apprenticeship with Warner Bros. Discovery. Today, Shaleen has progressed into a permanent role in the Consumer Products team, where she works with some of the world's biggest entertainment brands and licensing partners, proving just how far Esports can take you!
Why did you choose to study Esports?
Esports has always been a huge passion of mine. It all started when I was younger watching my brothers play the older Call of Duty games. I was fascinated by the chaos on the screen and the excitement it brought them. As soon as I was coordinated enough to use a controller and eventually a keyboard and mouse, I started playing everything from Minecraft to Black Ops 3.
When I found out I could actually study Esports, it seemed like a no brainer! It combined something I'd always loved, with the opportunity to learn about an industry that is growing so quickly.
What was it like being a female student on an Esports course? Did you have any worries before starting, and how did you feel as the course progressed?
Being one of only two girls on the course honestly wasn't a barrier at all. If anything, I saw it as an advantage because I was able to bring a different perspective to coursework and group work. My lecturers, Markus, Harsh and Chris, always made sure I felt supported and included and I never felt out of place.
Before starting, I was definitely nervous. I worried about being judged by my classmates or not being good enough at games I'd never played before. But I quickly realised you don't need to be an expert to study Esports. The course is so much more than just playing games. We learned about everything from nutrition and fitness to coaching, live streaming, event management and the business side of the industry.
Of course, I improved at games throughout the course but what surprised me most was how much my confidence grew. By my second year I was leading group projects, presenting ideas and organising a charity Esports event, which I never imagined myself doing when I first started, especially at 17 years old!
What skills did you develop besides gaming?
One of the biggest things I learned is that Esports isn't just about gaming. Throughout the course we worked on lots of group projects, which really developed my communication, teamwork and problem solving skills. A real highlight was planning and delivering a charity Esports event. It gave me the opportunity to develop leadership skills, network, use critical thinking and work as part of a team to make everything come together. Looking back, those are the skills I use every day in my career now.
What would you say to another girl thinking about studying Esports?
Just go for it! Girls absolutely belong in Esports. You don't have to fit a stereotype or prove yourself to anyone. If you enjoy gaming, are interested in the industry or just want to learn new skills, then don't let being one of the only girls put you off. Be you because if not now, then when?!
The course is about so much more than playing games. It's about teamwork, confidence, leadership, adaptability, problem-solving, communication and learning how the industry works. You definitely don’t need to be an expert gamer before you begin. Everyone starts somewhere, if you never try, you’ll never know!
What are you doing now?
After finishing college, I joined Warner Bros. Discovery through their apprenticeship programme. Over the past three years I've worked across a few different roles, starting as a Home Entertainment Sales Apprentice before moving into a Brand Licensing apprenticeship. I've now landed a permanent role within the Consumer Products team, where I work with some of the world's biggest entertainment brands and licensing partners.
Looking back, I can see just how much my Esports course prepared me for the workplace. The teamwork, communication, time management, critical thinking, leadership and confidence I developed during those two years are skills I still rely on every day.
In the future, I'd love to continue growing my career within the entertainment industry, taking on new challenges and learning as much as I can. If sharing my experience encourages even one girl to give Esports a chance, then it'll be worth it. You never know where it might take you, I certainly didn't expect it to lead me to where I am now.
