There's now a degree course for influencers in this country

Carlow: In Ireland new career path is catching the attention of Gen-Z: becoming an influencer. With social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube offering the chance to build a following and earn money, it's no surprise that many young people are considering it a full-time job.

Surveys consistently show that most Gen-Z youths, those born between 1997 and 2012,  would consider a job as a vlogger, YouTuber or professional streamer.

To help aspiring influencers, South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow has launched a first-of-its-kind course. The university now offers a four-year bachelor's degree in "Content Creation and Social Media." This course teaches students how to turn their online presence into revenue streams. 

Course director Irene McCormick explained how the idea came to life after a successful "Digital Hustle" summer crash course that attracted 350 applicants.

"Influencing is something that's catching fire," McCormick said.

The degree, officially accredited this year, welcomed its first batch of 15 students last month. McCormick said employment opportunities for influencer talent are multiplying exponentially, either in front of camera or behind the scenes.

"Yes, influencer posts on social media may sometimes be frivolous, but the actual business is not, it is a very serious business," she said.

Students are already familiar with the digital space, but the course provides both practical skills and theoretical knowledge to help them grow in the industry. McCormick emphasised how learning to connect with target audiences effectively could make a big difference in their careers.

"Around 70 percent of marketers now believe in influencers as the future of marketing, governments are also using them to message people, that's how we access markets now," she added.

Degree modules include creative video and storytelling psychology, entrepreneurship, celebrity studies, storytelling psychology, data analytics, and podcasting.

The term "influencer" was officially added to the dictionary in 2019, and refers to a person well-known through use of social media who uses their celebrity to endorse, promote, or generate interest in products and brands, often for payment.

In today's world, influencers like Mr. Beast and KSI have huge online audiences, earning millions through brand deals and advertisements.