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SPRING QUARTER 2022
GAME ON Clipper eSports is ready to play
ON THE COVER
GAME ON
Clipper eSports is ready to play
Becoming eSports
Leveling up skills
It's no surprise that many people use video games to have fun and connect with players around the world. Chances are, you know a gamer and recognize their focus and passion—even if you don't quite understand it. But gaming took a big turn to competitive play about 10 years ago, creating a booming industry worth billions of dollars and millions of viewers: eSports.
Clipper eSports is committed to helping players build a strong foundation of skills. Practice is tailored to the game the player is interested in. For example, players competing in first-person shooter games (a weapon-based combat genre) might focus on improving their hand-eye coordination, reaction time, tracking, and strengthening their muscle memory through aim training. In addition to practice, Clipper eSports will bring in professional players and coaches who specialize in specific video game titles.
If you're thinking big brand sponsors, celebrity endorsements, and brackets, you're right. And just like traditional sports, colleges have entered the arena offering scholarships, team "Now is the best time for eSports in terms building, and career pathways of it being viable for students to get into as into this massive industry.
While these practical skills are important for winning matches, Coach Nguyen also hopes to help players realize all the other aspects that go into eSports such as health and confidence.
a career or profession." - Coach Nguyen That's why SPSCC is thrilled to join the world of competitive gaming with its newest team: “You can play 24 hours a day, Clipper eSports. And this fall, the competition begins as student but if you neglect your health and other areas of your life, recruits, led by eSports head coach Michael Nguyen, compete in that’s going to limit your growth. I want to focus on health, both video games such as League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch, the physical and mental wellbeing of the players,” he said. “If Halo, and more. Students who are passionate about video games you’re regularly exercising, you have more energy in the long or looking for the chance to get involved in the eSports industry run and you feel more confident about yourself. That translates are invited to join. directly into how you play. There’s obviously skill and experience “Now is the best time for eSports in terms of it being viable for stu- involved, but there’s also confidence.” dents to get into it as a career or profession,” said Coach Nguyen.
Student Steve Shin plays Valorant in the SPSCC eSports Facility.
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Scan with your camera to hear more from Coach Nguyen
Another skill Clipper eSports players will develop is how to build their own brand and social media presence. Because the eSports industry is still new, the path to the professional scene isn’t as straightforward. Many of the players currently involved in eSports have created opportunities for themselves by climbing the leaderboards of games and livestreaming. When they catch the attention of professional teams and organizations, their careers are taken to the next level. “A big part of it is self-networking,” said Coach Nguyen. “With the eSports industry right now, there’s still a lot of self-work involved in getting connected to the right people. If I could just help them save some time, hopefully they can get on that launchpad and succeed.”
Strategizing for the future To go far in any competitive team sport, everyone needs to be on the same page. Coach Nguyen highlights the importance of interpersonal communication and team chemistry in eSports. “You can get five talented players and put them on a team, but if they don’t have communication, chemistry, or don’t take the time to build trust and teamwork, then they will be beaten by a team with a lesser skill level easily.” Like self-networking, communication is a skill players in Clipper eSports can take with them wherever they end up in the future. Other than going pro, there are many other opportunities within the eSports industry. “If you’re interested in marketing, you can get your degree and some experience. Then you can look at your favorite game developers or companies and apply there,” said Coach Nguyen. “There’s also a big need in the industry for experienced coaches to help younger players develop," he added. "In traditional sports, you have 18 to 30 year old players being trained by 50 to 70 year old coaches. Since gaming has a younger demographic and hasn’t been around as long, there just aren’t that many people qualified to coach. Students can definitely go down that route, as well.” While competitive play kicks off this fall, middle and high school players can join an SPSCC eSports summer camp and begin to build collegiate-level skills. The college will also host camps for international students visiting the US in hopes of expanding recruitment and college pathways to an even wider, more diverse audience. “At SPSCC, we’re looking to build a program that focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion,” said Coach Nguyen. “We’re really looking to include everybody and introduce eSports as an opportunity anybody can pursue.” ■
ESPORTS HIGHLIGHTS New to the idea of competitive video gaming? Here are some cool things happening in the eSports industry. 26.6 million people watched eSports competitions each month in 2021 eSports is endorsed by celebrities like Michael Jordan, Drake, and DJ Marshmello Coca-Cola, Redbull, Intel, Acer, and other big brands have sponsored tournaments and have invested in this growing industry Many SPSCC Pathways lead to careers in the eSports industry SPSCC eSports focuses on developing game skills along with communication skills and team building Many colleges and universities offer eSports scholarships Source - insiderintelligence.com
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PATHWAYS
spscc.edu/areas
Pathways allow you to take classes related to your interests, earn your degree faster, and graduate. ● Certificate ● **AAS: Associate in Applied Science ● *AA: Associate in Arts (transfer degree) *AS: Associate in Science (transfer degree)
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Pathways, degrees, and certificates are subject to change.
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Allied Health ● ● ● Dental Assisting ● ● Medical Assisting ● Medical Coding & Billing ● pre-Medicine ● Naturopathic Medicine ● Nursing ● ● Nutrition ● Physical Therapy ● pre-Veterinary Medicine ●
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South Puget Sound Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance inquiries: Executive Human Resources Officer, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA, 98512, 360-596-5361. SPSCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access Services Office at 360-596-5306.
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FEATURED CAREER PATHWAY
PATHWAY TO A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Scan with your camera to hear more from Menichelli
Peter Menichelli took accounting classes at SPSCC from 2010-11 to prepare for the CPA exam. Now, he's the owner and CPA at Menichelli & Associates, a firm dedicated to helping their clients and growing future CPAs through paid internships and more. “It doesn’t matter what branch of accounting you go into,” said Menichelli. “You’re going to continually be learning new things.”
CPA at Menichelli & Associates, he emphasizes how the skills of learning and adapting are used every day.
Menichelli earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Washington before joining SPSCC in 2020. At SPSCC, he took accounting courses in preparation for the CPA exam and also taught Intermediate Accounting at SPSCC for a few years.
“Things change constantly,” he said. “Tax law changes every year. Some things take longer to change, but they do change. You have to be willing to put in the time to learn the new processes and things you have to do.”
Menichelli was drawn to a career as a CPA because it allows him to help people. “People come to me with different problems. Whether it be estate planning, business planning, or tax planning, those sorts of things I find enjoyable,” he said. “They’re real-life problems that have impacts on people’s families and their lives.” While reflecting on his time at SPSCC, Menichelli offered some advice to current students. “It’s not always about the grade,” he said. “It’s walking away with the knowledge. You have to have that thirst for knowledge if you’re going to succeed in accounting, and basically in life.” A thirst for knowledge is something Menichelli carried with him as he moved on to the next chapter of his career. He started Menichelli & Associates in October 2020 and began serving the clients beginning January 2021. As both the owner of and
When he was looking to hire employees for his firm, Menichelli turned to SPSCC. He collaborated with Angela Kirkendall, Professor of Accounting, to ensure that SPSCC accounting students and graduates had a pathway at his firm. Together, they arranged a meet and greet on campus for accounting students to explore the opportunity. Menichelli hired three students who attended the event. “I am happy that I was able to at least help a small handful of students who could take advantage of the great internship opportunity that Menichelli is offering,” said Kirkendall. As they enter the tax season, Menichelli & Associates employs six SPSCC Accounting program graduates and continue to provide a year-long paid internship program with benefits such as tuition reimbursement for three local accounting students. ■
ACCOUNTANTS & AUDITORS IN THURSTON COUNTY
median salary $72,398
ANNUAL JOB OPENINGS
120
Source - Career Coach by Emsi: spscc.edu/careercoach
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STEPS TO ENROLL 1
2
APPLY
Submit an admissions application online for free.
spscc.edu/start/steps
ACTIVATE YOUR CLIPPER ID
Activate your ClipperID to access your SPSCC email and mySPSCC portal.
4 GET PLACED
5
Take a Guided Self Placement for English and math or submit test scores or transcripts to get placed in the correct classes.
3 PLAN TO PAY Fill out the FAFSA or WASFA to apply for financial aid (grants and loans) and learn about funding and payment options.
GET REGISTERED
Complete the Pathway Selection Survey (PaSS) and New Student Advising & Registration (NSAR) to learn about resources, meet advisors, and pick your Pathway and classes.
CLASSES APPLY PUSH PLAY ON START BY YOUR EDUCATION MARCH 21 APRIL 4
WORKFORCE FUNDING Get money for tuition & books as you move into a high-demand, high-wage career. Find out if you're eligible: spscc.edu/workforce
2021-22 TUITION Number of Credits
6
Washington Resident
spscc.edu/pay-for-college
COMPLETE THE FAFSA OR WASFA The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) helps you determine what financial awards, grants, and loans you can receive. Do this important step first, and include SPSCC’s school code: 005372. Get started at fafsa.gov. Washington State offers financial aid programs to students who aren’t eligible for federal financial aid, sometimes because of immigration status. Complete the WASFA at readysetgrad.wa.gov/wasfa. Technology Fee:
Non-Washington Resident, US Citizen
Non-Resident, International
1
$116.05
$131.27
$299.12
5
$580.25
$656.35
$1,495.60
12
$1,275.42
$1,429.22
$3,121.04
15
$1,447.80
$1,604
$3,315.80
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PAYING FOR COLLEGE
ABE, Parent Coop, ESL, GED® $10.00 per quarter All Other Students $40.00/quarter (1-9 credits) $50.00/quarter (10+ credits and Running Start students) Student Building Fee: All students $6.00 per credit (all credits)
Matriculation Fee: All students $20.00 per quarter Course Fees: Listed in class schedule if required. Associated Student Programs Fee: Running Start students $5.00 per credit (up to $50 max.)
RESEARCH YOUR WAY: MEET ALEC ANDERSON Undergraduate Research student Alec Anderson is conducting research for his ethnobotany project at Olympia's Priest Point Park. “Practical experience [in research] is important because you don’t get everything you need just from taking classes and doing coursework,” said SPSCC research student Alec Anderson. “Research isn’t confined to a lab. There’s a lot of different contexts you can perform it in.” SPSCC launched its undergraduate research (UGR) program in 2015, pairing students with mentors from different sectors to conduct original research. Focusing on unique projects, students learn the scientific method, ethics, research methods, proposal writing, presentation techniques, and more as they earn credits toward graduation. “UGR is an interactive experience,” said Alec. “There are people to guide you through it, people with hands-on knowledge. It gives you the resources to go in whatever direction you want rather than just following a predetermined path or curriculum.” Alec’s project explores ethnobotany, the study of how people of a particular culture use indigenous plants, in the context of Native American perspectives and how plants are used medicinally. “Indigenous science is underutilized,” said Alec, inspired by his Native heritage and practices that have endured the test of time. “But it’s every bit as knowledgeable and useful as traditional Western science.”
Alec enjoys the community that UGR provides at SPSCC. “I feel better connected after one quarter of UGR than I was from my entire bachelor’s degree,” he said. “It’s about having those academic resources in professors and people in the field. It’s been helpful having a mentor guide me through connecting with the right people to kickstart my research project.” In addition to professors and mentors, UGR students get the opportunity to connect with others in the scientific field. In fall 2021, several local agencies, including the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team and Pierce County Water Treatment Plant, visited SPSCC to share about the unlimited directions in which student can take their research. Alec is excited for what the future holds as he continues in UGR. He would like to gain more field experience by attending tribal gatherings and eventually pursue a graduate degree. One day, he hopes to take his research abroad by visiting Central and South America. “I encourage everyone to get involved with UGR,” said Alec. “You can go in-depth and learn what you want to learn about. It’s a good opportunity to expand on what you’re already doing in a way that’s personalized to you.” ■
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