Gen Z content creators are building careers—and bank accounts—without a traditional college degree. And now, their younger siblings in Gen Alpha are dreaming of the same.
A 2024 survey by Whop revealed that the top two career goals among Gen Alpha in the U.S. are YouTuber and TikTok creator. The days of aspiring to be doctors or lawyers are shifting toward ring lights, followers, and viral videos.
Turning Side Hustles into Six-Figure Careers
Take Katie Fang, a 19-year-old TikTok creator with 6.4 million followers. Known for her morning routine videos and brand collaborations, Fang is already working full-time in social media. Yet she still plans to attend New York University this fall to sharpen her digital marketing skills.
“Just because I started social media, and it became my full-time career, doesn’t mean [my college] dream ever faded,” Fang told Fortune. She sees education as a way to create smarter content—and a backup plan for building her own business.
Fang isn’t alone. More Gen Z creators are earning large incomes from sponsorships, affiliate links, and merch, while bypassing the traditional workforce.
The College Debate: Is It Still Necessary?
Recent research shows that the unemployment rate for men aged 22 to 27 is almost the same whether they have a degree or not. With job security uncertain and student debt looming, some Gen Zs are asking: Is college worth it?
For some, the answer is no.
The MrBeast Effect
Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, is one of Gen Z’s biggest inspirations. The 27-year-old YouTuber dropped out of college to chase his dream—and now boasts a net worth of over $1 billion. His massive success is proof to many that passion, persistence, and a good idea can be more powerful than a diploma.
“I just never give up,” Donaldson told The Diary of a CEO podcast. “There’s no world where I would ever quit.”
KSI: From Gaming to Global Business
British influencer KSI (Olajide Olatunji) also skipped college and never looked back. He started on YouTube posting FIFA gameplay, and now has over 50 million followers, a $100 million net worth, and several businesses—including Prime Hydration and Misfits Boxing.
“When I was making more than my teacher, I knew YouTube was the goldmine,” he told the BBC.
How to Succeed Without a Degree
According to USC communications professor Freddy Nager, building a loyal audience is key. “If you can cultivate a real community, you won’t need to rely on ads or boosting posts,” he said.
He recommends:
- Engaging with fans through comments
- Collaborating with other creators to grow your audience
- Using email lists to drive video views
- Sharing real opinions to stand out
Nager adds that personality and perspective matter most. “Be relatable, but also aspirational,” he said.
Still, he believes education can help creators understand data, avoid mistakes, and expand creatively. “You can learn from suffering—but why not learn through classes instead?”
The New Career Path
As social media continues to offer real earning potential, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are leading a cultural shift. For them, a viral video might be more valuable than a college degree—and their success is challenging what it means to have a “real job” in 2025.
