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Social media content creators are revolutionizing the traditional approach to work. As the workforce shifts from physical to digital, content creation ushers in a new era of opportunity for young professionals. First-time job seekers are no longer limited by the physical and financial constraints of hourly employment. With greater access to technology and the rapid growth of social media, anyone can create a digital business and earn income as an online creator.
Instead of cooking burgers, tomorrow’s workforce will prepare content. A stunning example of this shift is Maddison Peel, a 22-year-old former McDonald’s employee who launched a career in content creation when her cooking videos went viral on TikTok. With no college degree or formal training, Peel quit her $12-an-hour job and built her business as a full-time content creator. He now earns more than $10,000 a month.
There are thousands of young creators with similar stories. As mass demand for content grows rapidly, thousands more creators are expected to emerge over the next decade. It’s not just about entertaining dance videos anymore. These young entrepreneurs are informing, inspiring and educating their audience. As creators build businesses and grow their audiences, brands that share their target audience are eager to partner with them.
Related: 5 Ways to Start a Career as an Influencer
The unique advantage of content creation
The unique advantage of content creation is that it is one of the few inclusive careers accessible to anyone, regardless of background, experience or training. All you need to get started is internet access, a social media account and a solid content strategy. Almost all high school and college students today have access to the Internet. Most social media platforms are free. And we have a wealth of online experts who teach everything you need to know about building a content business.
Content creation allows for additional options beyond minimum wage jobs that have long been overworked and underpaid. Kids now have the opportunity to earn an early income without the requirement to report to a physical location or invest a lot of money in a fancy title.
Technology is automating and eliminating the need for many traditional jobs while creating new, more flexible opportunities. It’s a boon for companies and job seekers. For example, entry-level jobs like store clerks and cashiers are being replaced by computers and robots. While social media platforms drive consumers to shop online, this creates a unique opportunity for social media marketers to earn affiliate income by sharing these products.
Despite the rapid success of influencers and the global adoption of social media, many adults are still reluctant to accept that content creators remain closed to the long-term viability of social media as a fruitful source of income. While older generations question emerging trends, younger generations have the advantage of the local track. According to TikTok, more than half of the content creators on the platform in 2021 were between the ages of 18 and 25. Generation Z and millennials grew up in the digital age. Social media platforms are their playground. They mastered mobile photography and built social media connections long before graduating high school.
Instead, there is a steep technology learning curve for many boomers. The rapidly changing landscape of social media causes confusion and hesitation. This has led to a reversal of roles between generations. Students are becoming the teachers as they educate their parents and teachers about social media trends and mobile technology methods.
Related: How content creators can turn their creativity into a career
Learning never stops
Before the digital revolution, learning typically stopped after college. It wasn’t unusual for an adult to choose a career at age 18 and continue working for the same company using the same tools for decades. Today, there are a lot of learning opportunities available for free. It’s no wonder that many high school students are resistant to taking on debt to earn a college degree or work for someone else. They could learn everything they need online and on the job. Young professionals are bypassing institutions to gain the knowledge and understanding to succeed in the digital world.
Technology is fundamentally changing the way we educate and acquire knowledge. Students can take content creation master classes for free on TikTok and Youtube. They can learn directly from the experts on Twitter and LinkedIn. The need for a university degree is only for social recognition to enter the world of work. With the ability to create your own career, the need for a college education becomes obsolete.
Like Peel, I didn’t go to college. I built my business from scratch without having a college degree. My first job was in sales. I gained knowledge on the job through direct experience. Throughout my twenties I became more aware that learning never stops. You don’t need a school building or a paid teacher to learn new skills, especially with the information available at your fingertips. Life is a school, and experience is the best teacher.
If students can learn and understand this early, they will have endless opportunities to make independent decisions and forge their own paths. As society begins to accept the new normal and the Internet age continues to rise, we can expect the future of employment and education to be dramatically different.
Related: 6 Skills You Need to Become a Successful Online Content Creator