YOUNG PEOPLE DREAM TO BE INFLUENCERS BUT THE CAREER ISN'T AS GLAMOROUS AS IT SEEMS

The dream career no longer involves traditional 9-to-5 roles or climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, becoming a social media influencer has emerged as a highly desirable path for many. Endless PR packages, sponsored trips, living in the city centre, dining at fancy restaurants, and attending exclusive events – it all seems so glamorous and luxurious, but is it really?

Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have provided countless young people the opportunity to build their fame and wealth. These platforms have not only reshaped the way people connect but have also redefined success itself, making the influencer lifestyle incredibly appealing to today’s youth.

Interestingly, 57% of Gen Z want to step into the world of influencing, where creators are being labelled as modern-day celebrities and earn millions of pounds just by sharing glimpses of their lives, promoting products, and engaging with their followers.

READ MORE: 'Cancel culture' insurance - the quick reputation fix celebrities have been waiting for

Take Charli D’Amelio as an example. She became a TikTok sensation by posting videos of herself dancing. Within a matter of months, her videos went viral, and she accumulated millions of followers. Fast forward to today, she has secured numerous brand partnerships, launched a podcast, and even starred in her own reality TV show. She became a millionaire at just 16, illustrating the massive financial potential the influencer career can offer.

One of the primary reasons why today’s generation would rather pursue an influencer career over more conventional jobs is the freedom it offers in contrast to traditional roles, which often require long hours in the office, constant availability, and an overload of work. An influencer role allows creators to choose their own schedules - they have the freedom to make their own decisions to the type of content they want to create and, most importantly, the autonomy of being their own boss.

Plus, Influencers can create content from virtually anywhere - their bedroom, a coffee shop, their car, or even while travelling the world. This flexibility resonates strongly with young people who highly value autonomy and work-life balance.

Despite the allure of becoming an influencer and the many benefits it seems to offer, the reality is much more complex and challenging. It requires consistent content creation, from sponsored posts to hours of editing videos. Moreover, influencers have to engage with their followers, plus deal online criticism, and stay on top of trends and algorithms.

Dylan Mulvaney, who recently released her debut book, Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer, also spoke about the many downsides that fame comes with, saying that it's "funny how something with such pure intentions can be turned into something controversial so quickly."

While the influencer career path certainly breaks away from the traditional 9-to-5 job and offers many enticing perks, it comes with its own set of challenges and struggles. The glamorous lifestyle portrayed on social media is often far from the reality that influencers face behind the scenes.

Becoming an influencer may seem like the perfect job, but the hard work, stress, and pressure of fame shouldn't be underestimated.

2025-03-15T05:03:46Z