When work becomes play
Most people might not automatically connect video games with soft skills, but the new generation of gaming is about a lot more than sitting in isolation, pushing buttons to earn a high score. In fact, today’s games rely on heavy doses of teamwork and problem-solving, two of the top three skills that employers most covet, according to the Job Outlook 2019 survey from the National Association of College and Educators (NACE).
One study even found that playing video games in a group can improve other highly desired soft skills, such as resourcefulness (after two months of playing, this skill increased significantly for 81% of the gamers) and adaptability, which increased for 75% of the gamers.
While career options abound for gamers in video game development and marketing, this new realization of the additional benefits of avid game playing is opening doors for game enthusiasts in a wider roster of industries, such as manufacturing, law and education, reports the Wall Street Journal.