A Career in Social Media
Exploring Social Media as a Possible Career
If you didn’t know social media marketing is a Multibillion Dollar Industry. Here are few facts:
57% Americans - 13 to 38 would become an influencer
85% of YouTube traffic ----> 3% of the channels
Thousands of hours of video added to Youtube and Tiktok daily
Over 90% Teens on Social Media
Social Media Skills for Success
Creativity: Create campaigns that stand out and generate interest, and to create content that attracts an audience.
Analytical: Make sense of data and metrics to make informed decisions. Assess audience and activity data, such as likes, shares, and demographics to find out who is most likely to engage with your content.
Writing: Learn to write in a way that grabs people's attention and engages your followers. Different styles & length of text attracts depending on the platform you're using.
Communication: Put your strategies into words and amplify your brand's online presence.
Leadership: Delegate tasks, oversee your team's work, be responsive to changes and communicate project goals.
Time Management: Impact success of your page & posts by being aware of the best posting times and the most active parts of the day for your audience.
More Skills to Explore: Adaptability, Digital Literacy, Collaboration/Teamwork, Problem Solving, Branding, Video Production & Editing, and Customer Service
Other Careers to Explore in this Area:
I am in High School. How Do I Get Started?
Enroll in a state-approved Career Tech Education (CTE) Program - To get started talk with your school counselor and review your school’s course guide to explore availability and enrollment requirements. Consider courses in Business, Web Design, Graphic Design, Art, Information Technology, and audio/video technology.
Check out this resource to see which CTE (Career Technical Education programs) your school district offers
Other High School Coursework
Consider classes that provide a good foundation for this field. Consider psychology, public speaking, communications, business & entrepreneurship, theatre, film studies and information technology. In addition, enrolling in courses for further exploration can offer a good foundation for learning. Specific course work in wood working for example, could become a foundation for future social media posts or a theme for your page or audience.
Discuss this option with your parents
Think about the pros and cons of a career in social media.
Considering Putting Your Skills to use -with the support of your family, offer to create and manage social media content for a relative, family friend, club or organization. Your support will give you experience, but it will also help to support the marketing efforts of these organizations. Once you gain experience, you may decide to charge for this work
Explore job opportunities to find required skills, experience, and education required. Here are some sample job titles to explore:
Social Media Associate
Marketing Specialist
Multimedia Specialist
Brand Marketing
Marketing Manager
Social Media Coordinator
Brand Management
Key Questions and Considerations
How will you go about building skills?
How will you be supported as you build your career?
Have you considered the pros and cons of this career?
How does this career match up with your personal values?
Have you thought about the skills and tools you'll need?
What does it take to be an influencer?
Wayne County Education and Training Opportunities
Wayne County, Michigan, offers numerous programs and institutions to help you acquire the skills needed for a successful career in business and entrepreneurship.
Local Programs Outside of Wayne County
Applying for Financial Aid
- Obtain FSA ID
- Complete the FAFSA Form
- Add the FAFSA school code
More Helpful Financial Aid Resources
Scholarships
Most colleges have major & department specific scholarships. Check the financial aid department's website at the college(s) you are considering attending for these types of scholarships.
This document includes just a sample of programs available in the Metro-Detroit area. Remember to check websites for program offerings. Your school’s career exploration tools will also highlight a variety of related careers and education and training institutions.
References: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Note: Inclusion of a program in our database does not indicate an endorsement by Wayne RESA. The database is for informational purposes only.
Educate.Equip.Elevate.
Department of Workforce Development, CTE, Adult Ed and Career Counseling
