There Is a Job For That

If you’d have told me this time last year that I’d be working in social media, I’d have hit you with the same blank and confused stare that most people give me when I tell them that’s what I do for a living today. Wait, you mean people make careers out of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? Yeah, we do. And actually, so can you.

If you’re like me, you probably find yourself drooling over your own Instagram feed, laughing at your own Tweets wondering why you haven’t gone viral yet, and getting irrationally angry watching your parents try to navigate Facebook or listening to them call Snapchat ‘Snapshot’.

What if I told you that companies all over the world want your top-notch Instagram content, your witty Tweets, and your tips on how to use Facebook?

I know I’m not the only one who gets a thrill out of taking someone’s phone from them to show them how it’s done, so just imagine getting that same feeling of being needed and trusted at work. Maybe it’s just our inner control freaks, but maybe it can be the start of a career in social media.

Because we’ve grown up with this technology as second nature, it’s easy to overlook the fact that these are actually skills, ones which are greatly valued in business today because of our recent push into the digital world. It seems crazy to people of our age that these skills aren’t second nature to everyone, but they aren’t, and people will pay to get a piece of it. Who knew? I could have been charging my parents all along!

When I realised that I could make a living from doing what I do best, it was one of those cliché ’lightbulb’ moments, and I’ve never looked back. The fact that I have a job where I know I’m counted on for expertise - even at my age - is one of the best feelings in the world.

So what if you feel like your talents point to something else? Social media has that covered too. For me, it was art and design; my interests have always leaned towards the creative sector, so I thought that’s what I was meant to do. When that didn’t work out, I didn’t know where to turn next. Thing is, I underestimated how broad social media really is. I now work for a design agency, managing our social media and handling our internal PR. This means I’m able to use my knowledge of the industry every day, and it feels like I’m getting the best of both worlds, putting my design background to use and channelling that passion into something I’m really good at.

(Humble brag)

It doesn’t end there, either. Social media’s most impressive quality, to me, is that it applies to every business in every sector, so the options are endless. There really is something for everyone! What’s more, social media is not only available in every industry, but now more than ever it is necessary. If you couldn’t find a business on Twitter or Facebook, you’d find it odd.

Everyone is realising that this is the new standard, and yet it’s still quite new, so there’s never been a better time to get into it. But you don’t have to take my word for it - I put the question out to my connections and here’s what they had to say about why they love working in social media:

Have I convinced you yet? I hope so. Now don’t waste any more time, your career awaits! Apply now to become a social media apprentice with The Juice Academy!