Jayda Schroepfer first stepped into the Esports industry as a team player, working her way up to her current role as the Team Owner, Manager, Coach and Social Media Manager for the Overwatch team Avoided. We asked Jayda, some key questions about getting into the games sector.

Explain your role like I'm 5 years old

I am an Esports Team Owner, which means I am in charge of a team who plays video games competitively. I receive emails and DMs regarding all important information and topics, which I then have to relay to my players. I'm also in charge of making sure everyone is paid properly when we win prize money in tournaments, scheduling practices or matches, and overall making sure everything runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

Take us through your average day at work

My average day will include classes, esports, and coaching gymnastics on my busiest day. I start by attending whichever university classes I have for the day, and will check my email and DMs during all my downtime to make sure I don't miss anything important.

I will make sure everyone is aware of the schedule for the day, and add any important things I have to say regarding the team before going to coach gymnastics. In the evenings, the team will sometimes have practices or matches, so I try to watch recordings or livestreams of them whenever possible.

Right now, our team is still in a budding phase despite being around since February/March 2020, so my current goal is to continue building our brand slowly and steadily, really getting our name out there while participating (and hopefully winning), in Overwatch Path to Pro.

What was your educational and career journey into your current role?

I am from America, so I received my high school education there. I got into PC gaming, specifically Overwatch, in Fall 2017, after retiring from competitive gymnastics. In early 2019, I entered the world of esports by joining a team as a player, and by May I moved into management-related roles and found my real passion there. I graduated high school in June 2019, and went into esports seriously in September of that same year. For university, I moved to Europe, and I am currently pursuing my Bachelor's in International Sport Management, where I hope to apply newfound knowledge in my degree program to my role within my own esports team.

What is the most rewarding thing about your role?

I love seeing my players work hard and do well in their tournaments. I also love the feeling of satisfaction and readiness I get when we finish a season of competition and everyone is positive and ready for the next.

What's the hardest thing about your role?

The hardest thing about my role is trying to make everyone happy and keep everything picture perfect. This is because it is practically unattainable, everyone in your team will probably never be 100% unified on a topic, and you will not be without some very tough decisions that will make some people unhappy.

What key skills should people work on to do your role one day?

Critical Thinking

Organization

Leadership

Public Speaking

Listening

What advice would you give to your younger self looking to get started in the industry?

Don't rush, take your time, and stay positive. Make your own path and career, don't let anyone tell you exactly how you should do this or that. Try different things and find something that works for you that may not work for others. Don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way, and try to continue improving every day. Keep an open mind to everything that comes your way.