An ‘influencer’ degree? Colleges bet on content creator major as critics question its value
For many teenagers, becoming an influencer or content creator is becoming a possible career choice. Social media, videos, podcasts, and other digital media have been part of their lives since they were young. Because of this, some young people now see content creation as a natural career path.
Arizona State University recently introduced a new bachelor’s degree in content creation. The program is offered through its Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Students can study topics such as podcasting, studio production, and speaking in front of a camera.
The new program received criticism from some people. Some believe that content creation is not a real profession, while others question whether students need a college degree to become successful on social media. However, ASU is not the first university to offer programs related to content creation. Other universities have also started offering majors, minors, and certificates in this field.
According to communication professor Brooke Erin Duffy, these programs show that content creation is increasingly being recognized as a possible career. Influencers can earn money by recommending products, creating lifestyle content, or working with brands. However, having many followers does not always mean earning a lot of money.
Duffy explained that being a content creator can be difficult and time-consuming. Creators need to produce media, keep their audiences interested, work with brands, and manage business relationships. Although people may see influencing as a “dream job,” the reality can involve a lot of hard work, especially when creators are just starting.
Edited using generative AI tools.
Source:https://apnews.com/article/college-degree-influencer-major-content-creator-c7522cdde7d61c7305b54df6effd03ff |
