Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is dedicated to fostering a more diverse and inclusive gaming industry. In line with this commitment, SIE launched the PlayStation Career Pathways Program, underpinned by the $100 million Global Social Justice Fund established by Sony Group in 2020. SIE has pledged over $11 million to advance racial equity within and beyond the gaming world. A cornerstone of this initiative is the Playstation Career Pathways Program Scholarship, designed to create educational and career opportunities for students from historically underrepresented communities. This program aims to cultivate a new wave of creativity, innovation, and diverse voices within game development.
The PlayStation Career Pathways Program: Opening Doors to Gaming Careers
Launched in 2021, the PlayStation Career Pathways Program is a multi-faceted initiative providing vital support to Black students and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds seeking to break into the gaming industry. Recognizing that equitable access to education and career opportunities is paramount, this program offers scholarships, mentorship, and crucial early career support to pave the way for future gaming professionals.
Each PlayStation Career Pathways Scholar benefits from a scholarship of up to $30,000*, easing the financial burden of higher education. Beyond financial aid, the program provides invaluable mentorship opportunities, connecting scholars with experienced professionals at Sony Interactive Entertainment and PlayStation Studios. This mentorship offers real-world insights and guidance, preparing students for successful careers from the outset of their academic journey.
The PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship supports students pursuing a wide range of specializations crucial to the gaming industry, encompassing:
- Non-Technical Business Areas: Including Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Communications, Business Operations, and Sales, providing a strong foundation in the business side of gaming.
- Technical Engineering Areas: Covering Software Engineering, Platform Experience, Future Technology Group, QA, IT & Security, nurturing the technical skills essential for game development.
- Creative Game Design Areas: Encompassing Art & Animation, Programming, Development, Audio & Music, Scriptwriting & Storytelling, fostering the creative talent that drives game innovation.
SIE is proud to collaborate with a growing network of partner organizations and universities to deliver the PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship. Recently, two prominent institutions have joined this network, expanding the program’s reach and impact:
UNCF HBCU Computer Science Scholarships: Empowering the Next Generation of Black STEM Professionals
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest private scholarship provider for minority students, is now a key partner in the PlayStation Career Pathways Program. UNCF’s mission is to cultivate a strong pipeline of underrepresented students, equipping them for successful careers and impactful contributions to their communities. They achieve this through scholarships, financial support for 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and advocacy for policies that promote higher education access.
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s contribution directly supports the HBCU Computer Science Scholarship Fund within UNCF. This fund specifically aids students pursuing STEM degrees, particularly in computer science, providing crucial financial assistance to qualified and driven individuals. This partnership significantly expands the PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship reach within the Black student community, fostering diversity in STEM fields within the gaming industry.
USC Games Gerald A. Lawson Fund: Supporting Black and Indigenous Game Design Talent
USC Games, recognized as the top game design program in North America by the Princeton Review, has also joined the PlayStation Career Pathways Program. This collaboration, between the School of Cinematic Arts’ Interactive Media & Games Division and the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science, offers a unique interdisciplinary education, blending design, artistry, production, and engineering. USC Games is a launchpad for students to become leaders in the game design field.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is investing $3 million in the USC Games Gerald A. Lawson Fund. This fund is dedicated to providing scholarships for Black and Indigenous students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in game design or computer science at USC. Starting in Fall 2023, this contribution will provide vital PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarships for deserving students in both the School of Cinematic Arts and the Viterbi School of Engineering, fostering diverse talent within this prestigious program.
To support future game designers and developers from underrepresented communities through the Gerald A. Lawson Fund, donations can be made at http://games.usc.edu/lawsonfund.
Expanding the Reach: Existing PlayStation Career Pathways Program Scholarship Partners
The PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship already has established partnerships with several esteemed institutions committed to diversity and inclusion in education:
Breda University of Applied Sciences: Located in the Netherlands, Breda University of Applied Sciences offers a Bachelor program in Creative Media and Game Technologies, specifically designed to prepare students for international AAA gaming careers. With a practical, industry-focused curriculum delivered by experienced international lecturers, the program covers game design, development, business, and marketing. The PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship supports students within this program, fostering global diversity in gaming talent.
University of Westminster: The University of Westminster in London, UK, through its School of Computer Science and Engineering, encourages students to pursue careers in entertainment, technology, and gaming. Through the PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship, over 250 students will benefit between 2021 and 2025. SIE’s support provides financial aid for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as funding for the University’s Computer Games Design Saturday Skills Club, broadening access to gaming education for Black students and underrepresented groups in the UK. Learn more about this partnership here.
Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Arts, a leading interdisciplinary school in the UK, is renowned for its innovation across film, animation, UX, design, gaming, and AI. The PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship at MMU provides over 30 scholarships specifically for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic students pursuing creative and digital technology degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This partnership strengthens diversity within the UK gaming and digital arts sectors. Further details are available here.
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Social Justice Fund: A Broader Commitment to Equity
The PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship is a key component of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s broader Social Justice Fund initiative. This fund provides vital resources to organizations and universities dedicated to education, training, and career development across all facets of game development. These partnerships amplify the impact of the PlayStation Career Pathways Program and create a wider ecosystem of support for underrepresented communities in gaming.
Organizations supported by the Social Justice Fund include:
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The Black Collegiate Gaming Association (BCGA): BCGA focuses on empowering Black students and Women of Color in college to become active contributors to the gaming, esports, and technology industries. They provide scholarships and programmatic support to prepare students for industry roles. Learn more about the partnership here.
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Black Girls CODE: This organization empowers young Women of Color to become builders and creators in the tech space through computer programming and technology skills development. Black Girls CODE is dedicated to demonstrating the coding capabilities and potential of Black girls, fostering a more equitable tech society. More information is available here.
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The Hidden Genius Project: This project trains and mentors young Black men in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, transforming their lives and communities. They have introduced nearly 8,000 youth of color to tech careers through their programs. SIE’s support for The Hidden Genius Project was announced in 2021, detailed here.
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Gameheads: Gameheads utilizes video game design, development, and DevOps to engage and train low-income youth of color in the Bay Area for careers in the tech and gaming industries. Through game creation, students learn coding, design, project management, teamwork, and leadership. More information can be found here.
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Black in Gaming Foundation (BIG): BIG is a community dedicated to supporting and promoting Black professionals in the video game industry. They create opportunities for education, leadership, and skill development for Black individuals in gaming, focusing on community growth and increased opportunities. More details are available here.
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100 Black Men of London: This community-based charity focuses on mentoring, education, economic empowerment, and health & wellness for young Black men in London. They aim to uplift the community and empower youth through positive actions and experiences. More information is available here.
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The Amos Bursary: The Amos Bursary helps talented young men of African and Caribbean heritage in Britain to reach their academic potential, attend leading universities, and secure professional careers. They offer workshops and activities focused on academic excellence, professional development, motivation, opportunities, and community spirit. More information can be found here.
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In2scienceUK: This award-winning charity connects disadvantaged youth with STEM professionals to unlock their potential in STEM careers. They offer placements, workshops, and skills days, providing high-quality information on university access and employability skills. Learn more about SIE’s support here.
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The Prince’s Trust Group: This global network of charities, founded by The Prince of Wales, focuses on transforming lives and building sustainable communities, particularly by supporting young people in education, employment, and enterprise. SIE supports the Prince’s Trust ‘Get Started’ program, which helps young adults aged 16-25 discover their talents and build confidence and skills. More information is available here.
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Urban Synergy: This mentoring charity helps young people aged 9-24 reach their full potential through mentoring programs and seminars. They provide support, guidance, and encouragement, believing role models can make a positive impact. More information on SIE’s partnership can be found here.
Continuing the Journey Towards a More Inclusive Gaming Industry
The PlayStation Career Pathways Program scholarship and the Social Justice Fund represent ongoing steps in Sony Interactive Entertainment’s commitment to creating a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible gaming industry. SIE remains dedicated to driving positive change and will continue to share updates on progress and future initiatives. Follow this blog for more insights into these efforts.
