This law graduate quit to become a full-time gamer

By Ellie Forbes via SWNS

This law graduate gave up her career to become a full-time gamer and said she is happier than she would have been in a ‘miserable’ office job.

Professional streamer Jade MacIntyre, 24, graduated from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland in the summer of 2020 and had already begun applying for law traineeships.

She started gaming during lockdown as an escape from her studies, then she decided she could make a career out of it.

Jade, known as TheRealSlimJadey, now spends an average of five hours a day streaming online to her 21,000 followers who watch her play Call of Duty: Warzone.

She makes more as a streamer than she would have as a trainee solicitor but Jade said she has had to learn how to deal with cruel trolls who comment on her appearance.

Jade, from Glasgow, Scotland, said: “I was a little bit lost while I was doing my degree, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do but I just kept going with it.

“I was always a gamer but only really got back into it seriously in July 2020 when we were in lockdown.

“It was something to do and a good way for me to switch off.

“I had applied for a couple of traineeships but I didn’t feel that strongly about them.

“The plan was always to take a year off after studying to travel, but that quickly turned into deciding to give streaming a shot for a year.

“It was still during the pandemic, we couldn’t do anything and I wasn’t missing out on anything else.

“After about six months I realized it could doable for longer than I thought.

“I was watching other steamers and had joined this community of people online who were telling me I would be good at it.

“But I didn’t think I would ever do it - I didn’t think I was good enough.”

Jade now games and streams Sunday to Thursday each week.

She said her parents were shocked by her change in career at first but have been supportive of her decision after seeing how happy she is.

“I am much happier doing this than being a lawyer, it really did fall into my lap so I feel very grateful.

“At first my friends and family were shocked by it all, I don’t think they ever saw me as the type of person to be in the spotlight.

“But they have never judged me for dropping law.

“My parents and grandparents don’t really understand it all, but they are so impressed I have taken it so far and that I am doing something that makes me happy.

“I am in a very niche market being a Scottish girl steamer, I can count on one hand the number of others I know doing this.

“I make enough to pay my bills and more than I would have during my law traineeship."

"It feels surreal to be doing something I love for a job, sometimes it feels like I should be miserable in an office looking at contracts or court dates."

“It’s not all rainbows though, gaming can be taxing on your mind, and even if you are having a bad day you still have to go online smiling and be entertaining.

“Being on the internet all day is so tough, you’re putting yourself out there which can be really hard.

“I have been trolled a lot but I am starting to get used to it.

“My looks have been commented on, I have been told my voice is annoying and to kill myself – there are some really horrible people out there.

“Of course, there are struggles in office jobs but no one is coming up to you and commenting on your appearance or telling you to get back in the kitchen.

“At first the trolls were hard but I try to block it out now.”