Video games have actually ended up being a popular kind of entertainment for people of any ages. They can offer a variety of benefits such as improving hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making capabilities. Nevertheless, it is very important to bear in mind that video games can also have negative results if played excessively or without balance.
In an effort to understand the relationship between online video gaming behavior and profession interests, scientists from Surrey teamed up with Game Academy Ltd. to study the gaming practices of 16,033 participants. The research study intended to explore how the hobby might aid in future profession preparation and professional training for video game gamers. Prior to this study, little was learnt about how individualss video gaming choices related to their profession aspirations.
The study participants used Steam, a digital distribution service and store for video games, and played various video games on the platform. Scientist examined the 800 video games that were played the most and just included participants for whom they had info on gender and profession.
Scientist found that IT experts and engineers played puzzle-platform games, which potentially enhance their spatial abilities. Individuals in managerial roles revealed an interest in action roleplay video games where organizational and preparation abilities are involved and engineering experts were related to strategy video games which frequently require spatial and problem-solving abilities. There appeared gender differences too– females preferred playing single-player games, whereas males chosen playing shooting video games.
Dr. Anna-Stiina Wallinheimo, lead author of the study, Cognitive Psychologist, and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Surreys Centre for Translation Studies (CTS) stated: “In recruitment procedures, the very best candidates might be missed out on due to the fact that companies do not consider the soft abilities that have been gained through non-work activities (for example, online video gaming). As a result of our research, we think candidates online gaming experiences ought to be highlighted because these acquired soft skills can truly help to develop their well-rounded strengths for the task at hand.”
Dr. Anesa Hosein, co-author of the study and Associate Professor in Higher Education at the University of Surrey stated: “By comprehending to what degree profession interests are shown in video game playing, we might be able to show more clearly how these align with career interests and encourage companies to understand the value of the soft skills associated with video gaming. Our research might also influence video game designers to deal with refining these soft abilities more closely in their design. Locations of learning, such as universities, might enable students to incorporate and show video gaming as part of their career advancement and consider how video gaming can be included in the curriculum to enhance positioning between trainees learning, career goals, and extra-curricular gaming interests.”
Reference: “How Online Gaming Could Enhance Your Career Prospects” by Anna-Stiina Wallinheimo, Anesa Hosein, David Barrie, Andrey Chernyavskiy, Irina Agafonova and Peter Williams, 11 November 2022, SIMULATION.DOI: 10.1177/ 10468781221137361.
Individuals in supervisory roles revealed an interest in action roleplay games where organizational and planning abilities are included and engineering experts were associated with strategy games which often need analytical and spatial abilities. There were apparent gender differences too– women preferred playing single-player games, whereas males preferred playing shooting video games.
Dr. Anesa Hosein, co-author of the research study and Associate Professor in Higher Education at the University of Surrey stated: “By comprehending to what level profession interests are reflected in game playing, we might be able to show more plainly how these align with career interests and encourage companies to understand the worth of the soft abilities associated with gaming.
