Milford Superintendent Dr. Anna Cutaia will be moderating a conversation with Mark Kilpatrick of Affinity Esports to discuss the potential of esports careers on April 5 in the morning with students, followed by a parent session at 6 p.m. Parents and children alike will have the chance to discover how esports can open possibilities for their futures. The event will also include time for a Q&A session.
“This program is the first in a series of workforce sessions developed in tandem with Milford’s Economic & Community Development Director, Julie Nash, and Dr. Cutaia,” said Nash. “It’s important for Dr. Cutaia and I to regularly engage with each other and the wider community to provide information to both students and parents on the rapidly evolving workforce and the opportunities available to them.”
Esports revenue is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2023. The esports industry is growing rapidly and offers many opportunities, from game developers to event organizers.
Many colleges and universities now offer degree programs and esports scholarships as part of a varsity athletics program, allowing students to pursue higher education while also pursuing their passion for gaming. Professional esports players have the potential to earn significant amounts of money through sponsorships, prize money and salaries. Some of the top esports players have earned millions of dollars in their careers.
“Esports is not just about playing video games, it’s a booming industry that offers many career paths and opportunities,” said entrepreneur Kilpatrick. “I believe that esports will become a mainstream career choice for young people in the near future.”
Kilpatrick founded Affinity Esports with his sights set on creating spaces for happier and healthier gaming across Connecticut. Originally trained in graphic design at Barry University, Kilpatrick is an award-winning and published entrepreneur, having been featured on Quora Sessions, Apple News, Inc. and Forbes. He has been recognized as a distinguished alumni by Barry University and by Forbes as a 30 Under 30.
The student forums take place at 8 a.m. at Jonathan Law High School and at 9:30 a.m. at Joseph A. Foran High School. The parent forum occurs over Zoom. Registration is required in advance. For more information, contact Julie Nash at jnash@milfordct.gov.