Imagine you’re in your English class, and at a random time your teacher asks you, “What do you want to do as a career?” The other people in your class say they want to be a lawyer or a doctor or an astronaut. But for you, it may be a content creator.

The concept of being a content creator on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram is becoming more enticing to Generation Z and Generation Alpha. According to a study by LEGO covered by CNBC writer Jessica Taylor, for kids 8-12 years old, the top career choice for them in the US is “Vlogger/YouTuber.” That’s higher than a teacher, musician, or astronaut. But that was in 2019, and in the three years that have passed, the landscape for social media has changed drastically with the rise of TikTok and short-form video as a whole. In 2020, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, introduced Reels, and YouTube introduced “Shorts,” both rivals to the aforementioned TikTok. But still, after seventeen years of online video being popular, the question remains: Is becoming a content creator a viable career choice? 

The perks of being a content creator are the reasons that one would consider this career choice. One perk is that if you get big enough on YouTube, you can get paid through AdSense. YouTube will pay 55% of the ad revenue from views on YouTube (45% for Shorts). If you’re on TikTok or Reels, expect to get paid less, since they have creator funds instead of ad revenue. Another perk are the networking opportunities. If you become popular, you can collaborate with your favorite creators on your videos. There’s also VidCon, a dedicated convention for online video, where if you’re on the Creator Track, you have more networking opportunities. Another one is that you have a flexible work schedule, so you can make a video whenever you want. Lastly, you can become your own boss at a young age through content creation.

Of course, with the perks come the challenges and this is no different in the world of a content-creator. One is that you have to post consistently to satisfy your viewers, which means that if you go on a long break, the viewers won’t show up, and you’ll get left in the dust. Another one is that you have to handle criticism well, since you’ll be getting haters, and haters are going to dislike and comment.

So, to answer the question: Should you still become a content creator? It depends. If you’re dedicated and focused on YouTube or TikTok, and you know the cost to run an account, and if you’re doing it for fun, then yes, you should do it. On the other hand, if you want the fame and money that comes with it, and just that, then no. YouTube and TikTok are some of the most influential creations of the 21st century, and it’s changing the lives of people who live and breathe with them.