EYC and Zynga Empower Young People Through Inaugural Mentorship Programme
- Esports Youth Club
- Nov 4
- 4 min read
Esports Youth Club (EYC) has successfully completed its first-ever mentorship scheme in partnership with Zynga and the Black Zynga Union (BZU), a pioneering initiative designed to give young people from diverse backgrounds first-hand experience in the games industry.
The five-day pilot programme, held during the October half-term, welcomed six young people alongside EYC youth workers into Zynga’s award-winning London HQ. Over three immersive days at the office and two at the EYC HQ in Heathbrook Hall, participants explored what it’s like to work at one of the world’s leading mobile games companies. We learned from professionals across multiple departments - including brand marketing, customer insights, art and animation, HR and recruitment, product management and digital marketing.
“Learning more with people in the industry has really enlightened me on what it’s like in a game company and the type of environment they foster there,” said Joy. “The information they gave us has inspired me to ask more questions about what goes into games - not just art and design, but IT support, marketing, project management, and consumer insight.”
Inside Zynga: Learning From Industry Experts
Across the week, the group sat in on live meetings with Zynga’s brand and marketing teams and external agencies like PASHN, gaining rare insights into how creative ideas are developed, refined, and brought to market.
“I learnt about different job roles in the gaming industry,” said Amy. “I’d like to follow up with marketing. Communication is key in group projects, and seeing that in action really helped me understand how teamwork plays a role in making games.”
The team and young people alike felt right at home inside Zynga’s London office, which has received multiple awards for its inclusive and people-first culture. We interacted with plenty of staff across departments at Zynga, all whilst enjoying the wonderful lunches cooked up by various chefs each day.
“It challenged my stereotype of what a corporate office is like,” said Orville. “It opened my eyes to how open and relaxed the environment was - professional, but welcoming.”
Joshua added, “It surprised me to see how casual yet professional the environment was. I learned about the importance of data management, organisation, and good communication skills - I’ve become more receptive to the idea of working in a games company.”
Mentorship and Real-World Inspiration
A key part of the programme was connecting the young people with mentors from Zynga’s Black Zynga Union, who shared personal stories about their journeys into the games industry and offered advice on navigating creative careers.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” reflected Grant. “I’ve learnt so much and it’s not something you’d usually get to do. I didn’t realise how many jobs there are in the gaming industry beyond development - consumer insights was really interesting.”
Joy said, “It was amazing to go to a real company headquarters and talk to experts about what they do. I learned about brand partnerships, influencer collaborations and consumer insights - it made me want to learn more.”
Through these sessions, participants gained valuable exposure to career pathways and began thinking seriously about their own next steps.
“Having meetings and networking with staff at Zynga helped me improve my confidence in my future career paths,” said Orville. “It gave me insight into day-to-day operations, job roles, and teamwork involved in crafting great gaming experiences.”
Skills, Confidence, and Future Ambitions
The mentorship scheme proved transformative. Every participant reported developing new skills and clearer aspirations after the week.
Many highlighted the importance of teamwork, communication, and confidence as their biggest takeaways. Others said the experience deepened their interest in pursuing careers in gaming, marketing, or computer science.
“This experience has been inspiring,” said Amy. “I’ll definitely miss the kitchen and the staff. Everyone was so nice and welcoming! It was such a positive environment.”
Joshua noted that being “exposed to new environments” made him more determined to pursue computer science-related subjects at school.
A Promising Start
Post-programme surveys showed that every participant gained new insight and confidence from the experience - from understanding professional communication to appreciating the value of networking platforms like LinkedIn.
“I’ve learnt new things, like how important LinkedIn is,” said Orville. “I’m going to spend more time improving my profile and industry links, and staying consistent with networking.”
EYC staff and mentors were equally inspired by the young people’s engagement, curiosity, and professionalism throughout the week.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we achieved with Zynga and the Black Zynga Union through this pilot,” said Lewis, co-founder of EYC. “It’s proof of what’s possible when youth organisations and industry leaders come together to provide real-world experiences and mentorship. The energy, curiosity, and ambition the young people showed was inspiring and we can’t wait to build on this success.”
Looking Ahead
EYC plans to expand this mentorship model in the coming year, offering even more young people the chance to gain meaningful exposure to professional environments and career pathways in gaming, tech, and digital media.
The EYC x Zynga mentorship programme is just the beginning — and the impact it’s had on this first group of young people will continue to ripple far beyond the walls of Zynga’s London HQ.
Grant added with a smile, “It’s been a nice week — a very nice week.”
If you're looking to make an impact such as this and would like to work with us at Esports Youth Club, please do reach out to us. You can do so via emailing contact@esportsyouthclub.org.
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