Sony scholarship encourages women to enter the gaming industry

Sony scholarship encourages women to enter the gaming industry

For the third consecutive year, Sony Online Entertainment has awarded a scholarship to a female student who could influence the future of the video game industry.

Through its Gamers In Real Life (GIRL) Scholarship program, the electronics company aims to encourage women to pursue careers in the creative and applied arts. Entrants are required to submit an original art concept for a new environment that could be integrated into the Free Realms or EverQuestII video games. In addition, applicants are asked to submit an essay describing their views on women entering the gaming industry.

This year's winner was selected from more than 200 candidates from across the country. The awardee received a $10,000 scholarship as well as the option to take on a 10-week paid internship at the company's headquarters in San Diego to work on an emerging video game.

Laura Naviaux, Sony Online Entertainment's vice president of global sales and marketing, said that the scholarship program is intended to give female students "the foundation to pursue a career in the video game industry."

By Stefanie Hughes