Video games can not only be a great source of stress relief – but they can also help you earn an income as a college student. According to published data, 78% of gamers find video games mentally stimulating and stress-relieving, with 36.7% of gamers being college-educated. Video games are quite beneficial for several good reasons:
- Unwind after a long day of studying
- Improve your English language skills
- Find new friends from around the globe
- Improve your motor and cognitive skills
There are no age barriers in gaming – anyone can enjoy video games, whether through consoles, computers, or smartphone devices. Let’s take a look at some of how you can start earning some money as an avid gamer and a college student.
Livestreaming
Livestreaming has become increasingly more popular with the rise of technology and platforms like Twitch and TikTok. As a live streamer, you’ll be able to play trending games for an online audience and earn an income through advertisement.
Grow big enough, and sponsors might approach you to feature their gadgets, snacks, or services on your channel for a commission fee. Livestreaming is easy and all you need is a stable internet connection and some charm to hook people into following you.
Work as a QA Tester
If you’re keen on learning how the video game industry works behind the scenes, you can apply for part-time work as a Quality Assurance (QA) tester. QA testers sign NDA contracts and then play various games in search of glitches and stability issues.
This is a great way not only to earn money but also to show support for a developer you admire. Placing QA testing as a point in your resume will also help you look for permanent work once you’ve graduated. If you find QA testing interesting, you can specialize in a career as a game developer as well.
Freelance as a Gaming Journalist
Review websites are always on the lookout for passionate gamers who will write content for them. As a freelance gaming journalist, you’ll be able to pick your hours and play the games you feel like playing.
Best of all, you’ll earn an income based on how much content you write which will help you make ends meet. When college assignments roll around, however, you can reach out to a TopEssayWriting research paper writer to help you with your papers. Freelancing will help you not only earn money in college but also boost your resume early on.
Content Creation and Patreon
Platforms like YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are ripe for content creation. As a gamer, you can create short clips from video games you often play and share them with others. This will turn you into a social media influencer – someone who shares their opinions on video games and industry trends with their audience.
Social media influencers are very attractive to large brands looking for people to market their products. You can earn money through Patreon as well, by asking your followers to donate so that you can keep creating content. While it’s not easy to become a social media influencer, this can become your full-time career long after you’ve graduated.
Professional Gaming
Many colleges around the world are starting to recognize video games as e-sports. This is why you’ll find tuition and scholarships designed for passionate video gamers pursuing careers in professional gaming. However, for you to become a professional gamer, you’ll need to specialize in a certain game from now on.
Whether you’re into competitive shooters or MOBA games, find the one that suits you and keep exercising. Start live streaming to show people your skills and start recording your matches as portfolio pieces. Once you’re confident in your abilities, reach out to professional teams, sponsors, and video game companies until you’ve found the one that suits you.
Making Money Playing Video Games in College
Whether you play games on occasion or treat them as your hobby, keep in mind that it might take a bit of time before you start earning money. Livestreaming, Patreon, and even freelance writing will require some commitment and patience on your part.
Luckily, the technology is there – you can blog, stream, or publish video content based on your favorite games and still make money. Find the niche you’re passionate about and stick to it for a while. Once you get the ball rolling, it’ll be much easier to expand your audience and earn even more money playing games.
