British esports caster, host and streamer James Banks has introduced a new scheme that aims to help up and coming esports hopefuls land their dream job.
Project Esports Mentors has been set up to give people a chance and a platform to display their work.
In the ever-growing esports industry, more and more people are looking to secure paid positions. But like any fast-paced and exciting sector, things can get competitive – and not just from a player perspective.
The aim is to give people experience and knowledge, which will eventually help them to get the job they want in esports.
“Back when I got started in 2003, you could quite easily go and volunteer on a website, gain some experience and find your way in the esports world. Now it’s not so easy. I want to offer an experience to people where they can learn and grow.”
James is starting out by helping those looking to get into esports commentary, journalism, marketing and management to start with, but may expand into other professional areas in the future. They can fill in this form here to express their interest.
He made the announcement as part of his new BanKs Esports website.
James aims to mentor participants in the scheme himself, along with other people and teams he knows well. He hopes to put people in touch with his range of contacts from within the UK, the US and elsewhere.
“Back when I got started in 2003, you could quite easily go and volunteer on a website, gain some experience and find your way in the esports world,” James said in the above vlog.
“These days, every job I see says you need some experience. Where do the young people – the people who are the same age as when I started out (13) – go?
“Back then it was easier, now it’s not. They might want to write articles and get experience, or get involved in commentating but don’t know how.
“So what I’ve tried to do is put together a team of people I’ve worked with before, sponsors and teams as well, who will help me give people positions in esports.”
James says he can’t accept everyone, but will pick people based on what they want to do, how passionate and motivated they are, and how much free time they have.
“I want to offer an experience to people where they can learn and grow,” James added.
People interested in the programme can fill in a form on the website.
Another opportunity for writers
The UK esports scene is a fast-growing, exciting scene with huge potential.
Esports News UK has a great team of volunteers who have built up their portfolio while writing for the site, and some have gone on to secure paid writing work elsewhere.
We’re looking for part-time volunteer video producers and writers to help produce match highlights, interviews, discussion shows and maybe even some memes. Click here to find out more about making videos for us, and if you want to write for us, click here.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
