Gen Z content creators are bringing in millions from their side hustles—and questioning the need for a college degree

Are YouTuber and TikTok creator, according to a 2024 Whop survey

Jacob Wackerhausen—Getty ImagesRecent studies show that unemployment rates for men aged 22 to 27 with or without college degrees are nearly identical

On the other hand, Younger generations are also finding it harder than in previous years to secure jobs, so they are turning to content creation

Fortune talks to a fessor how to build a successful career as a content creator without a traditional college path, in light of current trends

When Gen Alpha dreams the future, fewer and fewer are imagining the white lab coat or briefcase wishes of their parents

Nevertheless, Instead, they see ring lights and “Get Ready With Me” s

In fact, the top two career aspirations among Gen Alpha across the U (something worth watching)

Are YouTuber and TikTok creator, according to a 2024 Whop survey, in today's financial world

And many young people are already turning their dreams into reality, including 19-year-old Katie Fang

Even though she’s already seemingly gotten a jump-start on her career, Fang is set to attend New York University in the fall, where she will focus on upgrading her digital marketing skills

Conversely, Fang told Fortune that pursuing a college education will help her think more critically and creatively, especially when crafting content and understanding how platforms TikTok’s algorithm work. “I think I’ve always known that I was going to stay in school

Additionally, I never really took a break

Additionally, On the other hand, I was online for two years, so it kind of felt I wasn’t in school, but I was,” Fang told Fortune. “I wanted to go to NYU for the longest time

Just because I started social media, and it became my full-time career, doesn’t mean that dream ever faded, in light of current trends. ” Fang’s long-term goal is to start a after college and to continue to build a personal brand. “I think the most important thing is just don’t rush to have it all figured out, because especially when you’re so young, you’re not going to know everything,” Fang said

Since starting her TikTok account in Canada, Fang hasn’t earned revenue directly from her s

On the other hand, Moreover, Instead, the majority of her income comes from brand partnerships with companies Glow Recipe, The Ordinary, and Kosas

On the other hand, “What I enjoy most is bably how creative everything is,” Fang said. “It’s crazy how you can make the most random that makes no sense, and that ends up being the one that gets millions of views

On the other hand, ” Fang is just one example of how young people have been able to turn a passion ject into a runaway for a high-paying career, where they are their own boss

This comes as a growing number of Gen Zs are questioning the value of a degree to begin with (quite telling)

Recent data shows the unemployment rate for men aged 22 to 27 is almost the same regardless of whether they have a college degree or not

The mastermind behind these social phenomena is 27-year-old Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, who also holds the crown as the most-d creator on the platform

In a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast, Donaldson told host Steven Bartlett that he discovered his motivation to pursue content creation on YouTube when he found out creators were making a high income a year

Growing up without much financial stability, he was driven by a desire to support his mother and family

Additionally, “This's what I love doing

However, In contrast, I’ve never had as much joy doing something as I do this,” Donaldson said, amid market uncertainty. “I just never give up

There’s no world where I would ever quit, in light of current trends

When I was 11, I just said I’m going to be a YouTuber, and I’m going to die trying, and I meant it (which is quite significant)

Even if there were no one still watching my s to this day, I would still be going

I’m just the most competitive, stubborn person you’ll ever meet

On the other hand, ” At first, Donaldson’s mother did not want her son to pursue a career in social media because she wanted him to be successful and encouraged him to pursue a college degree instead

Moreover, “When people tell me I can’t do something, it makes me want to do more,” Donaldson said. “If you tell me I shouldn’t do something, that’s fine, but if you tell me I can’t, then everything in my body just wants to go. ” Donaldson is not alone in using social media as a source of income and as a career

Another content creator who did not go through the traditional college pathway is Olajide Olayinka Williams, better known as KSI

Additionally, He is a 32-year-old British influencer, fessional boxer, musician, and entrepreneur

Un his peers, Williams decided not to pursue college at all in favor of his blossoming content creation career—in part after realizing how much he was earning before attending university, considering recent developments

I need to push and push because I know I can become something and make my parents ud. ” How to be a successful content creator without a college degree It’s becoming easier than ever to start a career as a content creator and make a living without a college degree

After all, all you need is a phone to get started, in today's market environment

Successful content creators who didn’t go through a traditional educational pathway all a common trait: building a community so highly engaged that they can rely on their continued support for exposure, said University of Southern California communication fessor Freddy Nager. “It’s important that you try to cultivate your fan base, given the current landscape

Nevertheless, Otherwise, the only way to reach your own ers is to boost your posts and buy ads,” Nager told Fortune. “A lot of people didn’t become creators to spend money

They wanted to make money, but the platforms want to make money. ” Many creators build their lists so they can directly notify ers when a new is released, often encouraging them to watch and leave a

He also suggested that creators interact with ers in the section, something that is favorable to algorithms. “You want your users to on your posts, because if they do, it means they really care,” Nager said (quite telling), given the current landscape. “Now, the could be negative

This tells us that y could hate your

Nonetheless, the algorithm reads it that if you’re willing to take the time to on the, not just liking it, given current economic conditions

In contrast, So this means that your content must voke s

Sadly, that means that a lot of influencers become controversial on purpose (noteworthy indeed)

In contrast, ” This type of collaboration is a key strategy for building influence and trust without a degree requirement

In contrast, Nager also advised new creators to partner with others, regardless of their fame, emphasizing that exposure to each other’s audiences helps both grow

In addition, he said that to stand out, creators need two key traits: personality and perspective

They must be relatable yet aspirational, offering a unique voice and sharing their human side to form real connections, given current economic conditions

Conversely, Otherwise, they risk being replaced by generic content (remarkable data)

On the other hand, While a formal education isn’t required to break into the industry, Nager said, it offers key advantages (noteworthy indeed). “I think you need an education to learn from your mistakes, without suffering

We can all learn from suffering, but let’s avoid it (something worth watching)

Let’s learn how to analyze data,” he explained (which is quite significant) (an important development)

Moreover, Meanwhile, And while ultimately content creators can and have succeeded without degrees, Nager said more education can also expand one’s worldview and creativity outside of your path. “Can you be educated without college

Possibly, if you love to read,” he said. “But college lets you explore courses outside your field—take astronomy if you’re a writer, or music if you’re a scientist, in today's financial world

The evidence shows doesn’t mean that you’re going to become a musical expert, but something music may change the way that you think chemistry and performance

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