World of Warcraft Skills Can Earn That Dream Job, Missouri University Study Suggests [Video]

Video games are often times viewed as purely fun and entertainment, and only a waste of time. This is how most parents or the adults from older generations view this hobby. However, a recent study just proved playing World of Warcraft can actually be helpful for someone who is looking for a job.

A study conducted by the researchers from Missouri University of Science and Technology revealed that those who play World of Warcraft could be more successful in working with teams, and can actually make a potential employee a valuable member, USA Today College reported.

In the game "World of Warcraft", the players need to complete their quests as warlocks druids or other class of soldier and battle monsters in a fantasy world, according to the Wall Street Journal. They also need to recruit other soldiers and prepare them for missions by training.

According to the players, the tasks this game requires are actually similar to the duties required from employees in modern day jobs. In fact, the game is said to be helpful when it comes to developing certain skills and qualities which an applicant need to land a jog. According to psychologists, these are the so-called Big Five personality traits which include extraversion, openness, neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness. The players also get to develop computer-mediated communication skills and technology readiness.

Dr. Nathan Weidner, assistant professor of psychological science and the leader of the study said that what they aimed to look at was a virtual teamwork and the kind of characteristics that a person show during the game which they can make use of in real life, as well as in the workplace.

She also added that through their research, they can say that while those skills may not be exactly the same, the gamers can transfer it into their workplace.