Generation Z, which means 16- to 25-year-olds, don't want to grow up to be doctors, lawyers, astronauts or cowboys, according to a new Censuswide survey, reports Adam Heitzman. Twenty-seven percent plan to be social-media influencers: 20 percent of males and 13 percent of females say it is the "only" career for them.
The benefits of being an influencer are "free products," earnings, meeting other influencers, gaining followers, traveling and holidays, and being a “celebrity.”
Parents aren't enthusiastic about their children pursuing a career in social media, the respondents said.
Their favorite influencer is Charli D'Amelio, a dancer with nearly 194 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. In addition to acting, "her other endeavors include a book, a podcast, a nail polish collection, a mattress, a makeup line, and a clothing line," reports Wikipedia. DiAmelio is 18.
Kids want to join the profession they've seen on-screen. Way back, when TVs were black and white and there were only three channels, "Jethro Bodine" was depicted dithering among career choices of brain surgeon, street car conductor, or "double-naught spy" (with a steel hat). At present, and by comparison, those choices would almost seem plausible and attainable.
Being an influencer might be a great gig, but it pretty much echoes the number of persons who are college athletes who actually make it to the professional leagues and make the big money (in case anyone was wondering:
Fewer than 2 percent of NCAA student-athletes go on to be professional athletes. In reality, most student-athletes depend on academics to prepare them for life after college.
Pretty bad odds, IMO
Good work if you can get it--but not everyone can get it.