Is Social Media a Real Career? What Parents Need to Know

More Than Followers: Building a Real Career in Social Media"It's not that easy." That's Sophie Denker's answer when her parents ask if she's getting paid from social media yet, and it's also the starting point for a much bigger conversation. The PLSHS grad and athlete marketing professional joins Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson to talk about what a career in the social media space actually looks like, from her first brand deals in college to managing name, image, and likeness partnerships full time for athletes at Texas A&M.Sophie breaks down why experience matters, how brands are actively seeking out smaller creators because of their niche influence, and why the real money in the influencer world comes from brand partnerships rather than follower counts. She also makes the case that most social media careers happen entirely off camera, with behind-the-scenes roles at every company and in every industry.Whether you're a student wondering if this is a legitimate career path or a parent unsure what to say when your kid wants to work in social media, Sophie's message is clear: the blueprint exists now, and it's only going to keep growing.