A 2023 Morning Consult Survey reported that 57% of Gen Zers want to be influencers when they grow up. As we well know, becoming a successful creator isn’t an easy feat, and one university is offering a new degree in content creation to broaden the toolsets of aspiring creators.
As reported by French news agency AFP, South East Technological University has launched a four-year Bachelor of Arts program called “Content Creation and Social Media.”
Initially, the university hosted a summer crash course on influencing entitled “Digital Hustle.” Taught by TikTokers, the AFP reports that the course amassed 350 applications.
“It got amazing traction. We could see the appetite for more, so we broadened it to degree level,” course director Irene McCormick told the AFP.
“Of course, people want to make money from influencing, so we look particularly at person branding, how to monetize being influential over large online followings,” said McCormick.
What does South East Technological University’s Content Creation and Social Media degree teach students?
The content creation and social media degree, which currently has 15 people enrolled, features modules like podcasting, entrepreneurship, storytelling psychology, and creative video.
These disciplines are in addition to more practical modules like work placements and how to operate a camera and microphone.
“Yes, influencer posts on social media may sometimes be frivolous. But the actual business is not, it is a very serious business,” McCormick added.
