Game On: Teens Learn about College Pathways through Gaming

Learning about college courses, scholarships, and top-paying careers connected to video gaming – and having a lot of fun too – teens in the mentoring program at Franklin County Children Services spent a special day inside The Ohio State University’s Esports Arena. 

“This hands-on day helped me in ways I didn’t expect,” said Lonnie Thompson, a member of the Simba Mentoring Program and one of 14 teens who were able to play games side-by-side and learn of the opportunities esports offers in college.

"Something they do on a regular basis can lead to so much more,” said FCCS Associate Director of Child Enrichment and Volunteers Daryle Cobb. 

Around 85% of U.S. teenagers game regularly, according to the Pew Research Center. Esports programs at universities like Ohio State offer scholarships for students to compete and play games against other colleges. 

A collaboration with The Ohio State University and the Ubuntu Leadership Academy, which helps to create opportunities for students to become leaders in their communities, the special day on campus was also supported by the United Way of Central Ohio, Columbus City Council, and Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page. 

Inside the OSU Esports Arena on campus, Lonnie and the other teens played popular esports games such as Fortnite and Rocket League.

They then heard from varsity esports players and teachers, including Computer Engineering Professor Terrance Campbell, about the numerous opportunities for scholarships, education, and workforce development involved with the gaming industry.

“It was great to have a professor talk about coming to college and having that paid for, but also the chance to eventually make that into a revenue for them and their family.” Mr. Cobb said.

“There’s this opportunity to see the other avenues they can travel for themselves in the future,” he added, stressing the many ways the FCCS mentoring programs seeks to help teens.

Engaging with career opportunities where they can have fun is a great way to inspire the next generation, Mr. Cobb noted. Something many teens do for free, such as gaming, can easily become a career or a way to pay for college. 

And Lonnie agreed: “I’m very fortunate to experience a college luxury I didn’t know existed.” 

Comments

  1. Isabel BrumleyFebruary 2, 2026 at 12:24 PM

    the 1890 National Scholarship is now available for STEM Students desiring to pursue careers in agriculture and related sciences. Please contact Isabel.Brumley@USDA.gov for more information. It covers all educational expenses at Central State University, in Wilberforce Ohio. The application deadline is March.

    ReplyDelete

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