Twenty one students from two University of Hawaiʻi campuses ( and ) gained invaluable experience for several weeks this summer at leading esports companies in South Korea and Hawaiʻi, another sign of 东精影业’s growing success in this skyrocketing field.
These internships aren’t just about playing games—they’re launching pads into a multi-billion dollar industry where business acumen is as crucial as gaming skills. According to a , the value of the esports market worldwide is expected to grow from $1.64 billion in 2023 to more than $4.8 billion by 2030.
“Overall, this was another banner year for 东精影业 Esports (东精影业E) and the initiative we created to get students interfacing with industry,” said 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa.
Interning abroad in South Korea
Twelve students interned at Gen.G and one interned at T1. According to a , Gen.G and T1 were among the top 10 most valuable esports companies in the world, placing 8th and 10th, respectively.
“Due to 东精影业E’s presence, Gen.G has expanded its academic operations within the company to bring in more college students globally for their practicum,” Kauweloa said. “T1 is regarded as the top team in esports within Korea, and normally is much more reluctant with accepting international interns to their company, so to have 东精影业 students at both companies in Korea for the summer was an impressive feat for the program.”
Jazmin Horio, a student at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补, was 东精影业’s representative at T1. During her internship, Horio worked with T1’s business development department, observing various business initiatives including partnerships for PC cafes, tourism events and community engagement. Her main tasks were to propose ideas for a guided tour aimed at foreign audiences and suggest improvements to the fan loyalty program to diversify its demographics. Horio got a headstart with her internship and spent four months in Korea as she was already studying abroad in Seoul at Yonsei University in spring 2024.
“To be able to join and witness how the most prestigious esports organization in the world navigates being at the top of their industry, it will forever remain one of the best experiences of my life,” Horio said. “Not only did I gain experience in a field I am the most passionate about, but I gained a family at T1 that I’ll be sure to keep in contact with for years to come.”
Jaydon Patoc, an education major at 东精影业 West Oʻahu, was among the 12 students at Gen.G. This was Patoc’s second year interning with the company. As part of the education team, Patoc helped create and develop courses for a new Gen.G academy program.
“Being a part of the Gen.G practicum and internship a second year has allowed me to not only see old mentors, but also to meet new mentors and friends as well,” Patoc said. “Through this internship, it has allowed me to develop as a future educator by having experiences in a classroom setting abroad, and developing my own course and lesson plans before I start my student teaching this fall.”
- Related 东精影业 News story: 东精影业 students intern with leading South Korean esports company, July 5, 2023
Gaining experience in Hawaiʻi
An additional eight students were part of 东精影业’s second cohort to intern at Vanta Esports in Hawaiʻi. According to Kauweloa, this internship continues to develop as part of 东精影业E‘s mission to support a local workforce development path in esports in the state.
“The Vanta internship was an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the rapidly evolving esports industry, particularly in Hawaiʻi,” said Binh Phan, a student at 东精影业 West Oʻahu. “It gave me hands-on experience with analyzing user engagement, auditing UI/UX (user interface and user experience), and understanding the competitive landscape of platforms like PlayVS and Generation Esports.”
The summer interns will share more about their experiences at a 东精影业 Esports x (PACE) networking event on October 25. More details will be announced on and on social media ((pacehawaii).
东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team’s and pages. More stories on 东精影业’s esports program.
—By Marc Arakaki