It's worth noting that Success·creator economyGen Z content creators are bringing in millions from their side hustles—and questioning the need for a college degreeBy Meredith HoBy Meredith Ho The top two career aspirations among Gen Alpha across the U.
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. The recent high school graduate boasts 6.
4 million ers on TikTok and is most known for her s showcasing how she starts her mornings, as well as showcasing brand-deal trips and her recent move to New York City from Vancouver, Canada.
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.
Gen Alpha and Gen Z want to in the footsteps of MrBeast If you’ve ever scrolled through YouTube, chances are you’ve bably come across viral sensations “I Survived the 5 Deadliest Places on Earth” or the high-stakes Beast Games challenges—s that have each garnered over 100 million views.
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.
Nevertheless, A self-made YouTuber whose net worth now exceeds $1 billion, Donaldson began creating and sharing content at just 13 years old.
He later dropped out of East Carolina University in 2016 after just a few weeks of courses to pursue content creation full-time (this bears monitoring).
Furthermore, Since its launch in 2012, MrBeast’s channel has skyrocketed in ity thanks to breakout hits “Squid Game in Real Life,” which racked up over 845 million views.
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.
At the same time, According to social commerce platform Whop, 42% of US teens are actively earning money online through their digital channels.
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.
He also founded es such as Prime Hydration, Lunchly, and Misfits Boxing, and has a net worth of $100 million.
Joining YouTube in 2009 and initially posting s of himself playing games, Williams built a ing of over 50 million across all his platforms.
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.
Furthermore, “I remember I asked a teacher, this is how I made this month, it was £1,500, and I remember him telling me, ‘That’s more than I make,’” Williams told the BBC in 2020, in today's financial world.
“I looked at it and I thought, that’s it, YouTube is the one, it is the gold mine. 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.
Conversely, ” Introducing the 2025 Fortune 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in America. Explore this year's list.