For decades, teenagers’ dream jobs were becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. But for generations who grew up in the digital era, that dream now looks more like ring lights, brand deals, and viral videos. More than half of Gen Zers want to become influencers—and one Arizona college has created a degree to help students pursue their content creation dreams.
Arizona State University recently unveiled a content creation bachelor’s track, where students learn the ins and outs of building a social media empire. During the program, aspiring influencers study how to grow their brand and create impactful posts across video, podcast, and social media platforms. Students “master the art and science of digital influence,” with the option of taking classes online or in-person at ASU’s downtown Phoenix campus or L.A. location.
“The Bachelor of Arts program in content creation prepares you to become an influencer and strategic storyteller who thrives in the rapidly evolving creator economy,” the program’s press release says. “Upon graduation, you are equipped for entrepreneurial and professional roles in content strategy, digital influencing, brand development, social media management, and audience engagement across industries.”
Anyone can start posting online for little more than the cost of a smartphone, but there’s an appetite among aspiring influencers who will pay six figures to learn how to build a brand, attract an audience, and monetize their content. Prospective content creators applying from out of state pay a base tuition of $25,000 each year at the school’s L.A. campus—excluding housing and living costs—amounting to $100,000 during the course of a typical four-year bachelor’s degree. In Phoenix, baseline academic costs are $35,715 annually, or around $142,860 across four years.
Watching the multimillion-dollar successes of influencers taking over their timelines, students recognize the financial potential. The school notes that the program prepares them for lucrative corporate roles such as marketing associate ($133,000), marketing manager ($166,000), or PR manager ($147,000). The Arizona college is just one of a few schools responding to the creator economy fervor that Gen Z has embraced.
Fortune reached out to ASU for comment.
Digital natives want to be TikTokers, YouTubers, and influencers
Young generations raised in the social media era are witnessing influencers making millions in real time. And equipped with an iPhone, tripod, and ring light, it seems easier than ever to get a slice of the success. Now, budding Gen Z and Gen Alpha workers consider Emma Chamberlain and MrBeast to be their role models.
Around 57% of Gen Zers want to become influencers, according to a 2023 survey from Morning Consult. And nearly half (41%) of adults overall would choose the career as well. Around 53% of the younger generation believe that becoming an influencer is a reputable career choice, and around the same percentage would ditch their current gigs if they could do content creation that paid enough to fund their lifestyle. Around three in 10 Gen Zers would even pay to make their influencer aspirations a reality.
And Gen Alpha are following their lead. More than 30% of 12- to 15-year-olds say they want the career, according to a 2025 report from social commerce platform Whop. The gig is followed up by 21% of kids aiming to become creators on TikTok—another highly lucrative platform, launching the careers of million-dollar successes Addison Rae, Charli D’Amelio, and Khaby Lame. TikTok and YouTube creators are jobs that simply didn’t exist 25 years ago, but it’s a dream for digital natives who grew up with vlogs and bingeable videos as entertainment.
“Gen Alpha has grown up watching YouTubers who have turned content creation into highly lucrative careers,” Cameron Zoub, cofounder of Whop, told Fortune last year. “Unlike TV, movie, or sports celebrities, these digital figures feel more relatable and accessible, making the YouTuber career path seem achievable.”
Most of the youngest generation dreams of being the next Markiplier or digital world builder, with 19% of Minecraft and Fortnite-obsessed Gen Alpha seeking a career designing video games. But there’s still a cohort of kids pursuing traditional jobs like nursing, entrepreneurship, teaching, and athletics. The report found that 20% want to be a doctor or nurse, 15% hope to be an athlete, and 14% are looking to become a teacher. Young generations have one foot in the digital world of self-made influencers, and one still in the storied arena of white-collar work.
