Minh Thu Pham is one of the 20 esports talents sponsored by Deutsche Bahn. At the DB Esports Talent Summit, he prevailed against other talents and has been receiving comprehensive support from the esports player foundation (epf) since December. She plays Valorant and is currently the only woman in the top DACH league. In this interview, she talks to us about 2023, her most successful year to date, and about Deutsche Bahn’s support.
Question: Hello Minh Thu, could you please introduce yourself briefly?
Answer: I’m Thu, 21 years old and I’m currently training to become a train traffic controller at DB InfraGO AG. I am also a substitute for the Unicorns of Love in the Valorant Challengers DACH: Evolutions.
Question: How did you find your way to Valorant?
Answer: Before Valorant was released in 2020, I played Overwatch and CS:GO a lot. Valorant’s innovative design quickly piqued my interest, and I started spending more and more time playing it with friends.
Question: In 2023, you were the first woman to make your debut in Germany’s top division and won the Valorant Game Changers Graduate Award. Can you describe this extraordinary year in two sentences?
Answer: 2023 was a year full of challenges and breakthroughs for me. Despite many new hurdles, I ultimately proved myself and achieved my goals.
Question: Since October, you have been completing an apprenticeship at DB InfraGO AG and are being supported by the DB Esports Scholarship. How did you come to combine esports and an apprenticeship at Deutsche Bahn?
Answer: A successful career in esports has been a dream of mine since I was a child. At the same time, however, I was always aware that a successful and long-term career depends on many factors that are sometimes almost impossible to influence. The DB Esports Scholarship now offers me the ideal opportunity to work hard on my esports career while always having a plan B ready. I firmly believe that it is possible to combine both and thus realize my dreams.
Question: How do you personally rate the fact that Deutsche Bahn has recognized the potential of esports and is supporting you in your passion with a scholarship?
Answer: I think it’s great that Deutsche Bahn supports esports and the interests of its employees. This shows their commitment to innovative approaches and their appreciation for diverse interests within the company. The opportunity to pursue my passion for esports through the scholarship further motivates me to do my best in both areas.
Question: What goals do you have for your future, both in esports and in your professional career at Deutsche Bahn?
Answer: My goal is to win the VCT Game Changers and perform in front of a large audience in the future. At the same time, I want to successfully complete my training at Deutsche Bahn and further my professional career.