* captions are being made, they should be up soon! * hope you guys enjoy today's dive into work, careers, the commodification of our lives, etc!! TIME STAMPS BELOW: 0:00 - intro 0:46 - some "big" creators balance a full-time career + youtube (like Simply Nailogical) 2:20 - is quitting your career to focus on youtube irresponsible? 3:45 - should we risk trading a secure job for an unstable one? 4:40 - what is life after youtube? 5:34 - should we prioritize in life? our careers? happiness? money? 6:47 - sponsor moment! 7:59 - youtubers who have recently quit their 9-5s to become self-employed / full-time content creators (Brooke Miccio, Natalie Barbu, Katy Bellotte, & Michelle Reed) 10:55 - how did their viewers react? 12:22 - losing relatability 14:25 - are 9-5 jobs undesirable? 15:08 - "follow your dreams! if you're not happy, just quit your job!!" 17:30 - privilege, advantages, & luck 19:00 - does this all make 9-5 jobs look bad? 19:56 - tangent about my personal work preferences and ~entrepreneurial spirit~ 22:04 - what about when other youtubers quit their jobs? (such as Jarvis Johnson) 23:25 - how does quitting affect your content? 24:39 - productivity content good, hustle culture content bad!! 25:14 - too many sponsors! too many ads! 26:08 - the struggles of being a youtuber 27:41 - strangers have opinions about your personal life 29:15 - oversharing, boundaries, and selling your life as content 29:54 - "How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy" by Jenny Odell 31:12 - don't get stuck in the RU-vid Bubble 34:35 - thank u goodbye
oh hi... holo there!! Very interesting analysis Tiffany I like your approach! I hope more young people listen to thoughtful perspectives like yours on topics like this :) Also, disclaimer: I am a proud member of the pro 9-5 jobs team - if you find one you like and that is worth it for you! I happen to love mine. If I hated it, my life might be a different story. Anyways, good video and lots of commentary to provoke further thought. Maybe I will discuss in more detail on my channel one day. Thanks for inspiring and making people think :)
I also think it’s a good idea to have a stable day job. A RU-vid career can be extremely volatile and your income can be destroyed with any little RU-vid policy change and a RU-vidr may have no safety net.
I made RU-vid videos full time for the past two years, but I recently got my first registered nursing job last week. My mental health was deteriorating from living in a RU-vid bubble. Now that I have a job I'm passionate about, I view RU-vid as my outlet and it feels more fun :)
Penny Tovar Congratulations! I’m graduating this year so I’m praying to get a good job as well lol. I love your channel and my Mom is an RN at a hospital too:)
I really enjoy having the same volume for whole sentences. There is a lot of creators who start their sentences louder and end half as loud. Or they ennd sentences like news anchors. With her I can put the volume to a normal setting and still enjoy all of what she has to say without changing the volume or unnecessary breaks.
I actually think that the quality of content tends to get worse when youtubers quit. It might be better edited etc. but the content itself gets kind of boring? I enjoy part time youtubers way more, they seem happier, they engage more with the general world and overall the videos reflect that. I think a lot of full time youtubers' lives seem sort of empty, and they attempt to fill it up with hauls, house reno vlogs, etc. etc. and lack inspiration to produce something truly creative.
I completely agree! I used to watch Michelle Reed a lot but ever since she quit her regular job, her videos haven’t been the same and also I can’t relate to her content any more.
Maybe that’s why I enjoy analysis videos / topical sorts so much, it doesn’t rely on the maker having an interesting life. For vloggers, I agree. I like a slice of life every now and then if they are excited and enthused for the video, rather than scrounging for content
@@quinn7937 that is true, but considering how quickly she rose to huge yt fame in her senior year of high school she was a prime case for not going to uni and instead focusing on her channel. She must have made a lot of money by now. She has a video specifically about why she thinks it's important to continue your education, and as a large portion of her target audience is young, I think it's just really nice to see.
kittenswithbows i agree, i think it’s very admirable that she continued her education and still uploads consistently. i honestly think it’s disappointing when people use the excuse of youtube for not going to college. i just wanted to point out that a lot of other youtubers do it as well. :)
I think having a "real" job is one of the reasons why Cristine's channel runs very consistantly good. I think many full time content creators can feel very anxious about certain videos not doing well and resort to content they're not as passionate about.
I definitely feel like it’s important for all youtubers to have back up plans cause internet “fame” is so fleeting. Not saying I’m famous or anything but I have a lot of passions outside of youtube that I still pursue along side getting my degree. I think taking advantage of your online platform while it’s thriving is great but don’t expect it to last forever and work on other things on the side.
Yes yes yes! I will never get over how much research you put into every single video and I leave feeling like I just attended a class at Ferg University.
The concept of relatability is so weird to me. Like when people say that Emma chamberlain is relatable. What’s so relatable about an 18 year old girl who makes millions and is also able to afford her own apartment in LA at such a young age? Like... how many 18 year olds have the privelege to start their own coffee line and have it be successful from the start? What’s so different about RU-vidrs that it makes you relate to them but you can’t relate to your coworkers who are also working the same amount of hours and are dealing with almost the same amount of stress? Not saying that you can’t relate to RU-vidrs but exactly how are they relatable?
I think they mean she’s not like a lot of other influencers. She doesn’t seem fake, doesn’t have plastic surgery, her life doesn’t revolve around how she looks, etc. She’s definitely funny and outgoing. She’s not relatable in her career but I would say she is in her personality and other aspects, compared to some of these other RU-vidrs/influencers.
Remy Killunmg her brand and life certainly revolves around how she looks, her instagram promotes her RU-vid which is mostly her posing for professionally photographed posts there’s a side of being a RU-vidr based on your looks and especially as a young teenage woman, young girls like supporting pretty girls. Young woman who aren’t the most appealing or attractive are generally not the most famous on RU-vid for young female viewers. I think what you mean is that she promotes this sense of not feeling forced to always be presentable within her videos. Like she’ll have messy hair and just start filming which makes viewers feel like they shouldn’t feel pressure to always look good at all times of the day. It’s like knowing that it’s perfectly normal to not wear makeup 24/7 and she’s showing u this.
I feel they confused relatability to "living vicariously through celebrities". They "relate" to her as in many young female viewers want to live the life that she has, doing something you love and earning a luxury living at that.
remy killunmg, kris pong, and lin z all have the right points. yes emma is an 18-yr-old millionaire with the privilege to have her own coffee brand and work with brands like lv but she doesn't make that the focus of her videos. i mean ofc they're IN her videos, but the main thing that attracts people to her is her personality and how she presents herself to the public, which is what's "relatable" here. emma films in paris for paris fashion week but most of the video is her in her hotel room reacting to everything the way a normal teenager would. she doesn't give you the feeling she's putting up a front or fake persona for youtube and other social media unlike some other influencers. she films her videos not looking her best like with messy hair, sweaty, just wearing a hoodie and shorts, etc, like what most of the people in her demographic and target audience look like when they're chilling by themselves. she speaks casually about things most influencers wouldn't bring up or skirt around but are totally natural, gross as they might seem, like periods and farts and acne. she's chill and has her own friends and family and problems yet she's worked hard to earn and keep her massive channel and get sponsors from big brands (yes, she DOES work hard for videos. anyone who says filming and editing videos even on emma's level is easy is heavily underestimating the work). she presents herself like any other teenager and makes that the focus of her videos, but one look around her shows she's not. it's kind of like she's sending a message that any random teen can become successful if they try and love what they're doing and are consistent. like lin z said, her audience of mostly teen girls probably like to "live" through emma, and the reason why it's so easy for them to do that in the first place is because emma seems so much like them, not some untouchable famous person way up there on a pedestal. she's "relatable" not because of her money or possessions, but because of HER. she films in her million-dollar house but doesn't make videos ABOUT her million-dollar house, get what i mean? that's why she's "relatable". maybe it's not for you or you just don't get it, but that's ok. just don't put hate on her because she does work hard and you get the sense she loves her fans and what she does. also most of her instagram pics are taken by her friends i think? idrk but even if they were professional she does stupid poses too and posts pictures of her with her middle finger up or in a dumb face lol. i'm so sorry for the essay have a good day
i love how simply gets brought up whenever the topic of youtube vs traditional career gets brought up. honestly, her having 3 successful jobs while maintaining a realistic outlook and taking care of herself is like...a flex.
@Death Omen it's because the government of Canada pays very well and has a lot of perks, and since she and her common law both work there they don't have to be as stressed about their income supporting them well. When you are financially stable you tend to have a better mental health because of reduced stress and better opportunities to get help, so she would be able to do all her passion projects and do her job without being too overworked or stressed.
@@Reign14forever I just drift away from RU-vidr's who just have money on their minds, "bUy mY mErCH", "fIfTY pErcEnt oFf", etc, I'm not into that but that's just how I see it I guess
Relatability is only relevant if they haven't invested their money wisely. Jeffree Starr is a great example. He has invested in the makeup industry. He has invested in properties that he rents/sells. He's invested in a LOT and he's made his unrelatable lifestyle somehow relatable. His marketing team is fucking genius. And honestly even if his RU-vid career falls. He's more then set with his other businesses.
I tend to watch youtubers who have real life jobs and I enjoy their content. However, once they quit their job, I tend to not watch their videos or enjoy them anymore
This is a very important topic. I know many RU-vidrs who have full time jobs with 100K-1M subscribers. And many run a full time business outside of RU-vid the way I do. RU-vid is also isolating. Creativity should not become a chore. It’s often a very difficult lifestyle to keep up with for a lot of people. Then there is the shelf life of being relevant. 3-5 years after your peak is what is normal. Oh and most people don’t stay frugal and refuse to live humble and invest their money. Matt Pat did a presentation on building a RU-vid Exit Strategy at an event.
I work a 9 to 5 in an office and like it. I like being able to finish work at the end of the day. I like being able to have weekends to myself, and 25 days of paid annual leave. I like having health insurance and a pension, and knowing how much to budget each month. I like having coworkers to socialise with every day and a reason to leave my house. I'm sure not everyone with a 9 to 5 has it quite as good as me, but I feel like pop culture almost always portrays steady work in any office as tedious and soul crushing, when it really doesn't have to be.
Completely agree. Too many ppl are into "hustle culture" and not getting "stuck" in a 9-5 even tho that 9 to 5 will most likely offer stability and not being overworked
I mean I like my job in hospitality (5 start country hotel/restaurant/small conference centre/ winery). The people are generally cool and stuff, but the hours are draining and I have lost so much connection with my friends because I’m always busy at nights and the weekend. I crave a 9-5 job with consistent hours during the week and nights to be social at the same time as my friends.
@@bella6843 I am not her but my job could be described the same. I am an Architect who is responsible for overseeing construction sides and for calculations and a lot of the organisatory stuff regarding building a building xD. I can come when I like. I have 25 days paid leave. I have 2 paid days off for education. I love my coworkers! I love all my 5! bosses because they themselves are still in touch with their employees! But... I spent 7 years at university to get this job.... Well.... It was worth it in the end but you should only dwdicate this amount of time to a field you love. Oh and btw I am living in Germany!
I would actually be broken-hearted if Cristine quit her career for RU-vid. I think that a huge part of her appeal is how level-headed and grounded she is. She has a deeply meaningful profession that she studied hard for. I admire her for being such a great role model for her viewers.
I don't like sitting at a desk in an office 8 hours a day, so I will be a youtuber and sit at a desk in my house by my self 8 hours a day editing videos. I don't get it Honestly working in an office is pretty cool, I don't just sit in front of a computer, I have co-workers, talk to customers, go to meetings, solve problems. There are worst things in life...
I honestly find it so strange that people go to work to socialize and make friends. I go to work to get my work done so I can go home and hang out with people of my choosing.
@@zahrakassam2559 totally agree. But human interactions are not only "being friends" and I really like talking to customers for example or organizing a project with my co-workers. Having the opportunity to interact with people that you wouldn't choose as friends in your private life makes you grow as a person. It may happen to find someone you become friends with at work but it's not necessary
I feel so happy every time you mention a sponser becuse that means you're getting financial recognition for your work and thats more important than we like to admit
I could never be a full-time RU-vidr. I need a job that has structure and that makes me leave the house everyday and forces me to interact with the people around me. I enjoy having something I have to get out of my home to do. I am also a workaholic so I am certain I would almost never stop working, which isn't healthy. Though I enjoy being creative, I would prefer that be a hobby so that when I am not working, I can also be doing something I enjoy.
This is different from being a RU-vidr but my aunt won millions on the lottery and even tho people around her don’t understand why she’s still working, she didn’t quit her job and still goes everyday. She says she’d go crazy if she was laying down next to the pool everyday and even travelling non stop would drive her crazy!
I think we are tired of spending our life working under capitalism, and therefore most people want to work less, or only work more for something that makes them feel like they have a purpose :)
Hahaha I’ll always remember Cody Ko saying in his blue ass water video “This is the kind of guy that says ‘the 9-5 just isn’t for me’ but like, it isn’t for anyone! We all gotta do what we gotta do to pay the rent!” And I agree SO hard. RU-vidrs, influencers or freelancers shitting on people that work a “normal” job, in an office, 9-5 etc is just the most privileged and disconnected thing you could say. The vast majority of people need a 9-5 and heck, some of them love it! No need to project your laziness onto “the rest of them” But anywho, thanks for listening to my rant and thank you for recommending my parasocial relationship video 😊
I don’t get mad at the fact that youtubers quit their jobs, I get mad that their attitude seems to become “I work 90 hours a week on youtube, much harder than I would at a normal job”. It comes off very poorly because it does not acknowledge privilege, and in some cases the people saying this vlog, and it is very apparent large parts of their normal work week don’t involve working on their channel. It also can come off poorly when the person saying it has not worked a traditional job, so the comparison feels very disingenuous. A good example of this is Sierra Schultzzie, who has a team of 10+ people working for her and claims that more than one video a week would cause her to work more than 40 hours. Being genuine means showing your life honestly and not in the way you think will make you appear the most relatable.
9 to 5 sounds better than shift work to me 😅 not knowing what hours you’ll work in a couple of weeks and not having a normal sleeping routine sounds hard to me!
Caroline Xenia P I agree with you 💯. I like the structure of a schedule. Shift work would drive me crazy. I’m awake in the middle of the day so I might as well be working. To each their own though.
Yep. I work shift work, and even though it's mostly the same schedule repeating every two weeks, working different times of day all the time makes it really hard to have consistent hobbies or social activities outside of work.
As a former shift worker who spiralled down into a depression after a year to the point of crying at least once a week I do agree. Heck even flex work is terrible. Being able to be employed between 8am and 10pm was horrible. It ruined my health. I would honestly not even mind working dead of night as long as it had routine and stability. I sincerely hope research over work issues regarding shift and flex work improves over time.
Yep, I work retail while at university and I hate not being able to plan what I'm doing ahead of time, because it depends on what the rota will be, and managers can change the rota. 9-5 is appealing purely because it's set hours.
RU-vid has been my full time job since 2013 (I had a full time job before this and balanced both somehow) and I’ve absolutely struggled at times, but I’m so glad I finished my education because I’m not the kind of person that could be in social media forever. I’m embracing it right now while I can, because I absolutely love it, though I fluctuate constantly between trying to get a second job and deciding to focus on YT full time (taxes are a BITCH) but anyways I love this conversation and I’m glad we’re in a place where YT is taken more seriously as a job because I’m always worried future jobs will see it as a “gap” in my resume. also re: 9-5 jobs I actually loved my full time job at a community college and could see myself going back to doing exactly that after YT. I loved the structure, and that my work ended when I left at the end of the day. being self employed feels like MORE than a full time job most weeks because the work is constant. but that could just be me being bad at time management who knows lol
I stop watching once a vlogger quit their job because I cant relate to it. Im working a 9-5 so I cant relate to someones morning routine that consists of doing yoga, making a smoothie bowl and meditating.
@@erinconvey5192 it's mentally taxing as well not having a consistent source of income, sure you're making a lot of money but it's not gonna last forever. Not to mention reading comments on social media, you can't ignore them if you're an influencer because that's the main source of engagement sponsors check for. We all struggle in one way or another.
You working a 9-5 isn't why your morning routine doesn't look like that. Plenty of regular working folks do yoga, mediate, and have a smoothie before work. It's just not part of your lifestyle.
my anxiety would never let me spend the whole day on my own working on a computer. as a engineering student and I want to pursue that career for myself, I know that I will have a somewhat structured job and that helps me with my anxiety. be at a home all the time and all of the "will I make enough money this month?" I could NEVER!
I love listening to everything Tiffany has to say. You can tell she's very educated and I like that she actually makes you think and see different perspectives.
when it comes to millenials/gen z and 9-5 jobs, i actually think a lot of us *want* that type of job stability. the job market in this day and age is generally extremely saturated (there are far more university graduates than there are jobs available in each field) and as a uni student, from experience i'd definitely think that most of us just really want to get any type of job after graduating (again, this is from my experience- im in science and the job market is def saturated). ive seen lots of people settle for 9-5 jobs unrelated to what they studied (e.g. they work in corporate, in HR, or some other desk job when in fact they studied science) just because they are desperate for some kind of independent financial stability. that being said, whether or not someone craves this type job is largely indicative of class and privilege too. i think most youtubers fall into a similar category as entrepeneurs, freelancers etc. in that you definitely need to already have some $$$ to 1) invest into work and 2) have as a financial cushion.
I get insulted with how a 9-5 is given a negative connotation. I actually LIKE my job. I mean, sure there are aspects of it I don't like. There are days I wish I didn't have such a rigid schedule (I work night shifts so I'm constantly sleepy) and some of my teammates are terrible. My boss is even difficult to deal with at times but I really do love what I do. I hate my commute and having to hustle but I love my job. I can say that I'd still like to keep my job even if I can find a good side hustle or even if I have my own business because I love what I do. I am genuinely fulfilled with what I do. Being an entrepreneur does have it's down sides too - just the way I see it. Sidenote, I'm only a year and a half older than you (April 1994) but that feeling doesn't really go away. Lol. You never really have it figured out.
Some people don't feel fulfilled by their job and burnout is real...like it is now an actual diagnosis. I think people should pursue whatever they want as a career. 9to 5 isnt bad and most people will work in those environments, but one shouldn't feel like they have to work in those environments. There are so many opportunities out there and work environments are changing. So many careers are being automated, so creative fields are now thriving because a robot can't create like a human ( at the moment)
iconic it really depends on so many things. Your goals, your channel size, content/views, income, the list is long. I heard earlier something about the first billionaire solely through RU-vid isn’t far off for 2021 & I don’t doubt that at all. Some ppl get $300,000++++ per sponsor per video. Some people feel worthless/directionless without having some type of job/income consistently coming in, some people could never make a video again & absolutely survive off the income they have in the bank currently. I think ppl really underestimate the income that a RU-vid career can generate. I know personally my goal is not to be rich but I do want to incur a lot of money- mostly to be able to live comfortably, leave my son some money & help ppl who have dealt with similar struggles literally (monetarily) & figuratively. I wish I had the balls to start a RU-vid channel bc I know I have a lot to offer and many topics I could cover w expertise & really help ppl through the platform. Someday I think I will
I think it depends on a case by case situation. Like it depends on what your ultimate goals are. I would also say it depends on how well your channel is doing. I mean if you’re channel is really gaining traction and the demand for content is there, it might not be a bad thing to put focus on that channel. Especially if what you want is your brand to grow. And often times that “brand” or your fame can lead to other things. Business deals, acting gigs, hosting gigs. Or it might give you the chance to go to exclusive events where you can use the opportunity to network which then can lead to other things. No I dont think people should focus on RU-vid only. But it’s not like quitting your day job is inherently a bad idea either. I think it just depends on what your goals are.
My biggest concern is actually having a job while also being a RU-vidr. What if someone finds out where you work... or your company finds information about you on your channel....I think there is a big concern for safety and privacy when you have a day time job, but also want to share your life online. It's almost like having a double life.
I think these days employees don't owe companies that much anymore. If you have the skillset you can pick up and move to a company that wants your talent and doesn't care. (as long as what you are doing isn't controversial) Your old company can hire anyone new they want also.
Yeah, i have been worried too, I am a goofy and may be have a little edgy humour. I was thinking of making youtube videos, i wanna go to university for medicine or may be engineering. So idk how that will effect my job as a professional in science while having an online presence of a clown basically. Been thinking about that a lot
It's unbelievable how you managed to not even mention that you studied abroad when you talked about sharing your life around the time you studied a semester in France
I think you articulated this very well. Something that you quickly mentionned but deserves to be highlighted is how YT work is a very lonely activity. You barely even meet people physically and it is all solitary work in front of screens and electronic messaging. If you drop your job or studies and don't make a big effort to go out and do other things, you can quickly become desocialized. I could live from my social media activity (sort of), but this risk of isolation is the reason I don't think I would ever choose to. Also, aspiring youtubers vastly overestimate the "status": you may impress your friends and family if you're lucky, but to most people and especially in the traditional media or academia, you are still nobody ;).
This! I'm thinking of starting a RU-vid channel as a way to play around with editing, filming and content creating, but my main work is within the Student TV club I am a part of. I love being able to work in a team with other creators, but also it feels nice to have a place for myself where I can test out new ideas and make things all by myself. I feel like when it comes to creative work finding a balance between team projects and solo projects are super important ^^ And having an extra job to finance your creative work is good as well ^^
Please make a video on 9-5. Some people might not find it interesting, but I definitely would. Idk if it’s because I’m a Millennial, but I have a 9-5 job..... but I feel like I should be doing more. Like, life is more than just having a decent job and decent salary right?
9 to 5 is not just an office or "corporate" job. It's also most of STEM, law, academics, and pretty much every other position that doesn't require shift work. You can have a job that pays well, a hobby that fulfills you and a decent life. The perception of "should be doing more" and "side hustles" is just leading to burnout and no amount of designer bags in your closet are gonna compensate you for that. You can always invest money on stock market for some passive income that starts returning after some years, quick money has never been a good idea long-term.
@@MintyArisato hmmm that's a good point. For years, i feel into the trap that i'm supposed to figure out how to monetize everything i do halfway decently and kind of enjoy. I have a 9-5, but i'm an artist and would love do that full time, if it happens. But i also have to keep a roof over my head and feed myself, so i'll take my 9-5 for now and do what i can to work towards having a more balanced life that allocates time those things that i truly love and enjoy. I don't plan on being here forever, but i also am not trying to quit tomorrow to chase a dream.
I love your content Tiffany, this one is particularly interesting! I’ve been on RU-vid since 2010, quit my job in 2015 and went full time on YT but still struggled financially until 2017. It was hard to grind for so long and for so little reward but *I was actually building a business* and now I’m reaping the rewards but I tell everyone who is thinking about YT to NOT rely on their Adsense or sponsorship income! Instead, build your email list and build a business off of the traffic. Regulating your work hours, containing your work so you’re not “on” 24/7, and relate-ability is definitely a challenge.
SarahBethYoga I keep trying to tell people this but you get accused of being a freak killer. I actually am thinking of doing my own response on this topic and pointing ppl to this video.
So true! RU-vid is essentially a paid gateway to your sales funnel. I’ve followed you for a while and genuinely enjoy your content and I love your app!
(I am not a big RU-vidr by any means) so of course I *couldn’t* just quit my job with all my bills and student/personal debt. But I understand that it’s a cycle too - if I did quit my job and put more energy into my channel, I probably would have grown my following a lot faster. But for me, kind of like Christine, I just don’t feel the need to be a big youtuber - it is truly a paid hobby. Although I will admit, sometimes I resent my hobby because it’s hard to find solid time to film other than the weekends, which means time with friends and family is sacrificed. But all in all, I agree that it just comes down to what your goals and priorities are. Like anything, if you want to be successful, you usually have to put time and effort into it, and RU-vid is no different. And that is why my channel is mediocrely successful - and I’m ok with that!
Nope, too risky. RU-vid is such a young platform and I don’t believe it is a stable source of income in the long run. Of course there are exceptions to this, like in cases of larger RU-vid “celebrities” (success bias!), but I digress. Pursue a trade and/or further your education. Keep RU-vid as a hobby!
Yeah like I always think of the vlogbrothers (John & Hank Green) with this- they were OG youtubers, but obviously they both have a good income outside YT with their books and companies. They developed everything while "youtubing" and kept up with their own successes while vlogging
Hobi Hope, I like them! I appreciate that they still encourage education in their younger audience base, despite being well off on RU-vid. More content creators with younger fans need to do that.
I agree. I think RU-vid should be used to funnel people into more sustainable income streams. Allowing yourself to be dependent on something that is so fickle and attached to an algorithm you have control over us, in my opinion, not a good business decision (because that’s what it is. A business decision).
John Green is one of the biggest RU-vidrs with his brother Hank, yet after all this time Vlogbrothers is still just their hobby while John's a best-selling author and Hank runs several businesses. Their work is still intrinsically tied online, but it's clear that "being a RU-vidr" is almost an afterthought to them because they do so many other things.
Not gonna lie, I love my structured 30 hour a week job. No, it’s not glamorous, no, I don’t make a shit ton of money. I feel like, most people only value those types of jobs if you’re getting super rich from it and like tbh, sometimes a job is just a job and there’s nothing wrong with that. Why do people have to constantly shit on desk jobs? You can get value and meaning from your life outside of how you make money. In fact, I find it freeing that I don’t get my meaning in life from my job. Maybe das just me doe 🤷🏽♀️
Work to live not living to work! I am self-employed as I enjoy it the most but I still have that philosophy of working to live a great life not work being my everything.
I currently do love my job and find a lot of meaning in it, but I've also had work I liked a lot in the past which was totally lacking in any sort of deep meaning. There is peace and happiness in work of all kinds, from the most menial to the most complex. But people have a hard time perceiving that, and understanding the boundaries (or lack of) between themselves and the rest of the universe.
You’re lucky. I have to find fulfillment and satisfactory in my work because a lot of time is put into it. My mental state can/will be affected, so I just need like a job I’d be happy to wake up to and not dread on it. You literally spend more than half your life in work, so I just need to make sure it’s worth it...
Alexandra Kershner im the same. I love that my hobbies are OUTSIDE of my job and that once I leave my office, I can focus (mostly) on things I like. i wouldnt wanna go travell (my fav “hobby”) and kinda spoil it with always thinking about eg content for youtube etc.
My biggest wish in life is getting a 9-5 job after graduating. I can’t deal with being uni student because I feel like I need to do work all the time even though I am already doing my degree faster than I would need to while after 9-5 work I feel like I could actually relax the time i am not in work and I just need that stability in my life as a control freak
Same. I had to an internship that was 9-5 in a company before graduating. Looking back, I actually prefer my internship more than university because of the stable routine which leaves me time to really unwind and leave work at the office instead of bringing it back home
I feel the same. I hated the fact that as a college student my work was never “over” and I was technically always on the job. I love and need structure
I'm not even a millennial, I'm in gen z, and I really love my office job. I finished college early so that I could have the time to try jobs that I was interested in. I like the repetition, knowing what to expect, and my coworkers. Luckily, my family is also supportive and if I ever want to quit or try something risky, I can. But I think I'll always stick to office type work, I like it
nothingpersonalhomie I’m a millennial (24) and I feel the same way. I work in public libraries so there is a bit of flex in my schedule (1-2 weekend shifts a month and I close at 8 once a week) but other than that I’m done with work by 5. The structure and lack of stress it brings has drastically improved my anxiety from my previous chaotic job.
I used to tell my mom that I couldn't do what she does, sitting at a desk all day, I don't want that for a job. Now I'm working as web developer, spending all my time sitting at a desk XD I think 9 to 5 jobs aren't glamorous or "sexy", so that's why they might be seen as undesirable. "Be your own boss", "do what you love and you won't work for a day in your life", "be in charge of your own future",... Those are much more heart-grabbing messages. But the work you need to do to follow your passion, be your own boss,... and be financially successful (meaning you can pay your bills and maybe save a little), this people don't see. And it's HARD. Yes I'd love to be my own boss in theory, but I'm happier having a steady paycheck and stable work hours. Also, you're never truly your own boss, money has to come from somewhere, and you might not like what you have to do or sacrifice to get it, whether it's time, your values, compromising on your projets, your goals,...
I am self employed and I have to say that working my 9-5 was much more stressful. Also self employment doesn’t mean no paid time off, no health insurance or other benefits. If you know what you’re doing and you manage your business and money properly, you can give yourself paid time off and health insurance (though I still think that shit is too damn expensive lol). My problem with full time YTers is their lack of practicality. Filming you LA life and creating merchandise with your name and face on it isn’t gonna keep food on the table. And it seems like, judging by a lot of their lifestyles (flex culture), they aren’t being very smart about their finances either. I can only speak for myself but if I was given the same opportunities as them (be able to make a living just filling myself living) I’d be putting that money into something that will keep making me money long after the YT buzz wears off. I think that’s why the beauty YTers are doing so well. They’ve started business in a field that will always be in demand. I just noticed that a lot of YTers get big, quit their jobs, move to LA and spend their time making even shitter content with the same 20 people that are also making shitty content.
I always say you should never do YT solely until you're at like 200k. Even then, never give up on education, this website has nothing promised. EDIT: Yeah, I'll always be thankful that I had the chance to do this, but frankly you lose a lot of your personal life, your relationships with friends/family can be hit, your health - your life becomes your channel. I've become much healthier in treating it like a real job these days and trying to make habits to take myself away from it for set hours during the day. I think if you start YT as a hobby when you're off school or work doing this becomes much harder because at the root, it was something you made out of all your free time.
sandra sofia I find it can get redundant because the things they do everyday, they do them to film them and make a vlog so instead of having a life, they do things to make content but then most of their content now related to making content. It’s a weird cycle of like loving the same day over and over (going to the gym, grocery shopping, nails, etc.) but they do this just to maintain the fact they can vlog themselves doing it. It’s a mind boggling when you think of it that way!
@@KathleenAndEmmaShow my thoughts too. I don't find the content interesting. You can tell ytrs then try really hard and are soooo on the nose with their adds and sponsorships.
right!? there's a lot of youtubers that still try to be "relatable" and show how they do a thing and "yOu cAN tOO!!" but they fail to see that no, most of us can't do those things to because we have full time jobs which means we dont have the TIME!!!
@@KathleenAndEmmaShow this is well said. Ive stopped watching a lot of my favorite RU-vidrs because of this. It gets really redundant and repetitive and then you can feel how disingenuous it is because you feel them forcing themselves to do it to get content because $4000 rent in LA isn't going to pay itself.
I remember listening to Jenna and Juliens podcast about Jake Paul and in it Jenna mentioned that Logan reached out to her and asked about continuing with college and she said that she highly pushed the idea of continuing with education. I'd love to see a video from you on the success of Jenna and how the uncertainty of youtube should skip over her because she has invested her money well.
i feel as if i can speak for most of your viewers when i say we don't care how often you do sponsorships bc it doesn't affect the content or authenticity of your videos, and we dont want you to be broke! lol
Agreed. I especially love when creators have very entertaining ways of seguing into the sponsorship or have an entertaining sponsorship announcement period, such as drew gooden or danny gonzalez. I find both of their sponsorship styles to be so incredibly ridiculous, that I enjoy it as much as the rest of the video.
FWIW I kind of disagree. I understand everyone has to get that money, but influencers are called that for a reason-they create a persona of relatability and authenticity and in exchange sell their viewership to companies for advertising. We are the product being sold. Especially on channels that claim to review things, or point out problematic systems, it can be hypocritical to then propagate those systems. Are we beloved fans or a product to sell for profit-or both? Tldr I think a channel like this one does have a responsibility to consider what is ethical in permitting companies to have access to its fan base, how often and which companies, because the channel points out sick systems elsewhere. Otherwise it would seem hypocritical and hurt Tiffany’s brand and perceived authenticity.
My ex quit his education in his last semester to become "a youtuber" while living off his parents. We broke up and now 6 years later he has 50k tiktok followers and is so proud 🤦♀️🤦♀️ he didnt work his entire 20s. How is he not worried about his future.
I think it bothers me from a certain point of jealousy and resentment. Everyone on RU-vid SAYS being a youtuber is hard, but is it really? Is it really as hard as being a full time nurse or teacher or office drone who makes a tiny tiny tiny fraction of what a youtuber makes? Sometimes it seems like the value based in being an advertisement is just out of whack with what is actually valuable in the world, and that can be hard to swallow as someone who works a 9-5 AND a 5-9 and can't make ends meet.
They are lying obviously. When push comes to shove, none of these youtubers who say that RU-vid is "hard" would ever switch positions with a nurse or a construction worker.
That's not very fair now is it, the reality of having to create and pump out content again and again is tiring and takes alot of work. It's not fair to discredit their work just because there not nurses or out in the sun ECT ECT
Millennial here. I have an associate and a BA (7 years). A mid-tier, ok paying 9-5. They aren't always bad. I need structure, I freelanced here and there before but it's really hard if you aren't good at self-discipline and things like that. You clock in, clock out. Work is off your mind on your time off and there's a clear and simple line. It's really hard not to procrastinate too without that structure if you are the type to do that and/or struggle with self-discipline.. Everyone who has pulled last-minute all nighters to write papers know that feeling, right? I can't imagine that being my job forever. That's how every deadline would end up like for me. Also the benefits and all that are a lot simpler than if you're self-employed or contract-work based. It's not for everyone but it's certainly not the worst thing for a lot of people...As much as we like joking about being mindless corporate slaves sometimes lol. In the end, I'm glad that this is what works for me and that it's out there and a way I can choose to live my life.
Damenauma I completely agree! I need the structure of a 9-5 job and i like having somewhere to clock in and clock out every day. It helps too that my coworkers are the bomb
The office comes to mind. Jim says if Dunder Mifflin becomes his career he'll throw himself in front of a train. He said that because he wanted more in like then what the office could give him. He asked Pam "Do you want to be a receptionist forever?" When she obviously wanted to become an artist but was too scared to pursue her dream. To have a good life we need to follow our dreams. Different things work for different people, you'll find what works for you:)
I work as a physiotherapist 8 to 4 and would never give it up for another job. During those 8h at work I can help people not be in pain, affect their entire lives positively, including getting people to walk again, and be humbled by true gratitude not just likes on instagram. My pay check is not great, but it's enough. I live in a relatively small city in Finland, so having a mansion and luxury cars is pointless as they don't fit well with cold winters, and designer goods are a bit pointless if you have to wear scrubs or gym clothes all day. It's really all about what you find fulfilling in your life, what's enough for you, and what work position can provide you with stability.
Completely agree. In theory, I love the idea of working independently and having the flexibility of being self-employed, but in reality it would be an absolute nightmare for me. My corporate office job is definitely not my passion, but the pay is decent, there's generous vacation, I like my coworkers, and I'm able to step away at 5:15 every day and not have to think about work for the rest of the day. I'm able to fully enjoy my time off and enjoy having the set boundaries of work time/real life time. Not knocking the less-structured life since it clearly works for some, but I know I would never be able to set boundaries for myself and work would consume my life.
My problem with RU-vidrs quitting their jobs is that they stop being relatable for young adults. I have started following RU-vidrs because I like to see how they got to the place they are, but then they quit and it just doesn’t make sense for me to follow them. If you only follow them for their beauty or lifestyle or anything else is not a problem, but for me they stop being interesting.
I'm the same. Way back in the olden days, Ray William Johnson had a vlog called BreakingNYC. I was a teenager at the time and it followed him around his life in New York where he hung out with some friends, lived in a small apartment where he made his videos, and was studying for college. I found it really relatable and his success while being a normal guy was pretty inspirational for someone who was soon to start college myself. At some point he took a break from it, and then came back with a BreakingLA series after he moved to Los Angeles. This time he had someone hired to film him. He usually had some anonymous pretty women following him around, and he went to lots of events. He made his videos now in a rented studio with a small crew, and he was trying to launch a music career instead of studying. The whole thing just made me lose interest so fast, because I couldn't see myself in him anymore. Now he was this guy who just had a way better life and more stuff than me, and his own staff. So I stopped watching. I have no idea what ended up happening to him. I don't think he even does RU-vid anymore.
Arianna Westley maybe for others, but not for me. I don’t dream with quitting my 9 to 5, I enjoying working and becoming better in what I do. I follow vloggers because they show me a possible path to become more successful in what I want. Even if they are not eccentric with their money and they have work ethic, is just not content for me.
Krombopulos Michael exactly. It happened to me with Natalie Barbu (she was featured in this video). When I found her channel she was working as a consultant and I was interested in that, especially because consultants have to travel a lot and I didn’t had any examples of what that maybe be day to day. Now she is living in New York being an influencer full time. Nothing against her but there are thousands of girls doing that in New York, showing the same things.
It’s also helpful to note that “9-5 desk jobs” aren’t necessarily less creative - think Buzzfeed, or graphic designers or working for Google. Even being a RU-vidr, as you said, sit at their desk all day editing. Also, I’m a teacher which is a SUPER traditional job, but quite physical, emotional, and very, very creative. I also love that you said we are more than what we produce! Yes!
Loved your video essay. Just thought I'd chime in and say I'm a female in her early 20s working a 9-5 and I love my job. I work in tech and am surrounded by super smart people, I am constantly learning and being challenged and I couldn't ask for anything better. Just thought I'd give my perspective and say we do exist :)
I don’t get why people feel entitled to tell people what to do with their lives Lola “oh you quit your job now you owe us THIS kind of content” ??? Dude you’re watching the videos for free no one has to create any kind of content just because you want them to
I just watched someone make a video very upset that they quit their job to make their living completely from RU-vid and they keep getting demonitized. High reward tends to be high risk.
Almost all your “self-employed/youtuber struggles” apply to people with 9-5 jobs too lol...we don’t all just work from 9-5, we can work way more and not be paid for it, we can work 7 days a week too, our job is exhausting and can be isolating, we can also think about work all the time, strangers also have opinions about us, our work can be directly tied to our self-image, we don’t all have health insurance or paid time off lol...Andddd I wanted to throw in here that it’s not fair nor accurate to say your job can be more stressful than someone who is employed by another person. All jobs are stressful in their own, unique way...as well as the fact that humans react/deal with things in different ways. Sorry I feel like there is some defensiveness that comes out of people (me) when we hear self-employed people downplay 9-5 jobs or act like one way is better/harder than another. Lol we should all just do what makes our own individual hearts happy haha xoxoxo
Super interesting! this hit home for me, since I balanced youtube and a career for a while, but eventually was nudged to 'pick one.' I'm a smaller youtuber, so I know the irresponsibility level of leaving my career is off the charts, and although I know I never let making youtube videos affect my work, I think if anything it was a distraction for others around me, even though some of my other coworkers had other part-time jobs outside of work. This sort of left me to sink or swim with my channel, but walking away from it seemed worse than struggling alongside it. Though sometimes I feel like i've already *peaked* i'm not ready to have a hard conversation with myself yet T___T
this is such an interesting question because i feel like there isn't much of a precedent for what to do once internet relevance fades, especially for influencers without college education etc. I feel like viable options for them might be advising/managing newer influencers or working with brands but it's really hard to say and it definitely depends on the individual
Olivia C Thats exactly the answer lmao. Tana is an example of one of those RU-vidrs as she was popular because of her youth, her attractiveness, and her story times. Slowly, all of those faded away-which was when she started her “couples” vlogging style eventually culminating on her wedding and post- marriage fallout. Alternatively, RU-vidrs that slowly faded away have spread into other mediums-such as Dan and Phil and their radio show/podcast. Michelle Phan too, owner of her personal makeup brand. Jon Cozart and Dodie Clark have also expanded into live shows and the formal music industry. I would say that most OGs never considered RU-vid a full time job and therefore once their cycle ran out they already had plans and options for that.
I could definitely see a lot of them going into managemnet. Plenty of musicians who are in successful but short lived bands in their 20s go on to work in the management/PR side of the music industry.
People upset that their relatable "RU-vidrs" are struggling balancing two jobs and need to quit one to keep their viewers entertained. Hmm. Edit: Okay, no. These women weren't being crushed by their 9-5. They were being crushed by working two jobs at the same time. I feel like this is completely being glossed over to embrace the narrative that these women are privileged, not relatable and potentially entitled.
my thoughts exactly. not to get political buuut there is some cough cough misogynist subtext in those complaints. Also the resentment that their life decisions might generate among their viewers! If they have that safety net to fall back on it's not because it was handed to them, they worked maybe 10 years on their channels and other social media until it started to actually pay off enough to dedicate all of their time to improve their content. Yes, not all people have the equipment or the charisma to have a channel with a lot of views and sponsors and stuff, but the whole "quitting their REAL job to do RU-vid which ISN'T a real job!!!!1!!" perpetuates the narrative that creative jobs are not serious and therefore shouldn't be remunerated as well as "real" jobs. What's the difference between selling a product or service for someone else in exchange for a salary and doing it by yourself to benefit yourself? Arts are profitable and people should be able to profit off of it if they want to and have an audience willing to pay for it, folks. It's not that hard.
Millennial experience: I'm fine with my desk job, I go home and I have nothing to worry about, my paycheck is always on time, I get plenty of vacation days, plenty of opportunity to work from home, I like my coworkers and boss, etc..
That's good for you but what about ppl who have toxic work environments? Tyranny bosses? Underpaid? Glass ceilings? You having a healthy work environment is good but not everyone has that
@@kawaiikoibito3268 It's still worth it to get a job. If you aren't being successful somewhere you use that as a learning experience and not an excuse.
@@kawaiikoibito3268 Toxic work environment has nothing to do with the job being 9 to 5 though. Work environment can be as bad in shift work as well, or even if you have your own company and your own employees. Being underpaid is the same, really. Being self-employed doesn't always mean you'll earn enough money (compared to the effort you put in your work).
I loved this analysis! Something that really bothers me in the creative vs. 9 to 5 debate is that there is SO MUCH in between. Not every "real job" involves sitting at a desk in an office. I would not be able to do a traditional desk job and I would ALSO not be able to be self employed. (too much vs. too little structure) I teach elementary school and although my career field doesn't get the respect it deserves, it's usually seen as a "real job." But I almost never sit down, I'm constantly thinking on my feet and being creative. There are so many jobs out there and the dichotomy so many people create between "creatives" and "corporate jobs" just isn't realistic.
@@nanal1964 yea so? u don't wanna support okay ignore the patreon, but what's wrong with asking the rest of the fan base who do care for financial support?
It is personally offensive to hear about how hard and difficult RU-vidr lives are when I work a minimum wage job that requires me to be there all week and always on my feet ready to do the next thing and work quickly. Yes, in comparison, I do see some RU-vidrs as lazy. Key word being "some." It is what people do with their RU-vid careers and how they do it that makes it an actual job.
Agreed. I’ve always secretly though this way. My mum and dad both work minimum wage jobs, literally breaking their bodies to sustain the family. And currently I am working 60 hours a week to pay for myself and the things I want. So it’s really hard for me to feel much empathy for creators who talk about burnout etc. To me it’s just no where near as exhausting as regular labour
There are different kinds of hard and different kinds of burnout. When I was working multiple low wage jobs in college, the lack of schedule flexibility was hard and sometimes the sleep deprivation was hard. However, the fact that I was a just cog in all of those machines was easy. I showed up on time, did the things I was supposed to do, got paid, and left on time. I didn't take piles of work home with me or wake up in the middle of the night thinking through work issues. Now I work in a job with a lot more autonomy and responsibility. The schedule flexibility is great but you have the weight of keeping the machine running. There's thousands of pieces at play and no one way to win the game. So even though I have the flexibility to work whenever I want and I'm not on the clock 16 hours a day, the total amount of time and life energy that I pour into work has never been higher. This is probably analogous to the stress of being a content creator. You're the only one responsible for keeping the ship afloat. There is no defined set of things you can do in a defined number of hours to guarantee a defined income. And some days you can show up and the ideas don't.
@@jaz1756 burnout is burnout is burnout It's one thing if person is "just complaining" because... reasons, and the other is an actual burnout. And you might not know from the work they do what is the truth. But don't be dismissive that way, anyway. People are different, and some are more prone to experiencing negative effects of that what is mentioned ( from ~26 min ). And person getting into it can't predict it, they don't have prior experience. Same goes for say, trauma. Some people get severe ptsd from experiences other get out relatively fine. Etc. _You can't complain about your struggles because other people have it worse_ attitude doesn't make sense. I'm sorry for what your parents and many others went/are going through, that's why I'm against capitalism. How about directing your _offended_ feelings to the right goals, that nobody has to work that hard, just to survive.
I don't appreciate the virtue signalling going on over here. Some jobs *are* significantly harder than what people on RU-vid do so pardon me if I happen to think the complaining is ignorant and privileged.
i've noticed that it has become a "trend" among popular RU-vidr to quit their jobs or drop out of college. sometimes it disturbs me because I can see that they are willing to abandon their inspirations or their interests outside of RU-vid. I don't think that's very healthy. Plus most of them, once they quit their jobs, they get out of touch with reality. They mostly care about money or views and they seem more like robots. When you don't interact with the real world around you and you're so occupied with cyberspace you suddenly become disconnected from what really matters. It's very disturbing imo
I do RU-vid for funzie, but I'm also a full-time Software Engineer. :D I only very, VERY recently monetized my channel and make like $2/day. Which is honestly SOO awesome to be making anything at all from something I enjoy so much. That said, I can't imagine quitting my fulltime job to rely on RU-vid for income -- even if I was making more from RU-vid. I already have experienced how much views can fluctuate drastically from one day to the next -- Some times I post a video, and I knock out my previous records, and other times, a new video does terribly. And then some days I randomly get a view spike because RU-vid decided to push a video into suggested for god knows why. This variability already makes my channel feel unstable insofar as I never know if my channel is going to randomly get a view surge or literally die 😂 I can't imagine relying on that for income -- especially when adsense revenue has the added variability of demonetization, CPM, monetized views (since not all views are monetized), etc. Sure, you could get sponsored, and these might give you a little boost in income.. but! these are totally at the whim of other companies wanting you to represent them. Oh and then what if you get deplatformed randomly? Or what if people get bored of you? What if I feel pressured into changing my content in a way that I dislike simply because it will pull views and money? Point being -- quitting my stable job (which I enjoy for the most part) to do something more fun but far less stable sounds unwise for me. But I'm also a beta cuck who's scared of everything and have like no risk tolerance 😂 Thanks for another rad video Tiffany 😎
Yeah, most people have to work jobs that aren't neccessarily their dream, but that's kind of the way it is. I'm sure most people would prefer not to work and have the time to pursue their dreams, but you have to make money somehow
That's something I love about Mike's Mic, his content doesn't really revolve around his job, but he always says how much he loves it but still makes videos
As someone who is graduating from college this May and starting to think about navigating my post-grad life, this was so helpful!! You always have such great insight and I always appreciate how much work you put into each video. Now to do more thinking about my future ........ 💭
So we're all fully aware that this grocery point system is selling user data, right? Recording and compiling what you buy and when? This is market research. Worth considering before signing up...
You’re on youtube and youtube does the same thing. Anything you have to sign up for collects data. If you want to avoid that, throw away your cell phone and buy a phone that only calls and texts and don’t go on the internet anymore.
@@biancadesousa Sure, but I'm on RU-vid because I've consciously weighed the entertainment I get against the data and ad watching I give. It's just smart to keep checking oneself and be aware, despite that damn "ooooo, free stuff!" impulse
My current hate for the 9-5 is rooted deeply in my 4 hours of commuting time per day and how little I see of other people. Hoping to get my time structured more healthily when this contract runs out. Never commuting again if I can help it.
Would have loved to hear your take on whether or not there's a gender bias to viewer responses. Generally, it's more accepted for men to take risks rather than women, so I wonder if there's a noticeable difference in how audiences react to men vs women within the same genre
i don't think this is necessary wrong, but i think it may be because dudes on RU-vid lean more towards genres where the details of their life matter less to the audience (ex. commentary vs vlogging)
I also think men take more risks than women. While nobody is exactly against women taking risks, I feel we're more safe-choices-oriented. The only way to change this is for more women to take risks! I'm already doing my part by starting my own business (not a MLM 😂. An actual business)
Even though I only use YT for watching videos, this is the kind of topic I have been thinking about. I could never do YT as a full time job, especially since it took me nearly two years after graduating with a BSc in Biochemistry to find a job relevant to my career goals. Before that, I was full-time in retail and was actually dreaming of that 9-5 life that I got to experience during my placement year, because I felt drained by shift work and found it incredibly difficult to see my friends who were all free during weekends when I had to work. Now that I finally have my foot through the door, I could never let it go, having worked too hard to put it into jeopardy again. I thoroughly enjoy having structure in the day, finishing when to job is done and still have time to go to the gym or dabble in a creative hobby, such as graphic design. Doing pure science is never going to pay me loads of money but it is something I am passionate about and find a lot of job satisfaction in. I have been toying with the idea of perhaps working in the States for a year or two, and documenting my experiences, but would never switch completely, as I am afraid I am in a field that would be incredibly difficult to get back into after making a decision to pursue "content creation".
HIGHLY RECOMMEND Emily Guendelsberger's book On The Clock: What Low Wage Work Did To Me And Why It's Driving America Insane. My opinion, and one of the points made in the book, is that technology has made everyone beholden to their bossess on a minute to minute basis where they weren't before. Your boss used to have to keep a time card and like write you up for being late. Now an app notifies them you were late.
I love your videos! I'm halfway through and as someone that went from working 9-5 jobs for a few years and now doing youtube full time, my personal experience tells me that the main reason why I did not enjoy working 9-5 wasn't really because it was... 9-5.. or even at an office. It's just I always felt that I had to find a job in a pool of available jobs that I was a) qualified for and b) interested in and it was extremely difficult to find a job that FIT me. There are only a certain amount of available jobs and they each have a specific job description, a specific industry, etc. and I'd be lucky if I could find one that sounded remotely interesting for me. Whereas with youtube - I basically took something that was a passion and it evolved into a job so the job fit me perfectly because it basically grew from what i was doing. There's also the fact that our generation also wants more out of life and we feel entitled to having the best job ever, which makes us less satisfied with whatever we have (but that's a different topic). anyway, love the content~ !!
I have a tiny channel, but even if it were to ever blow up, I could not see myself doing youtube full time. For some reason it seems like many channels losing authenticity after getting into it full time
Great topic! I noticed that people on social media look down on 9 to 5 jobs. In a way that does make people believe working 9 to 5 is bad. I am a clinical social worker at an adult mental health clinic. I love the work, yes it can be challenging but I did choose to get a masters degree in social work to help people. I can choose to have a private practice and have my own business but right now I am good where I am. The pension and benefits are amazing. I wonder also with you tubers that quit their jobs and get paid so much..I wonder how much they pay for health insurance or do they invest? Also college makes you a critical thinker! That is vital but people don't care about that nowadays.
Influencers literally have a secured spot at any company they want as a social media manager. If you pull up your 1 mil subscribes/followers on any social media with a high engagement rate. They would literally probably hire you on the spost. Social media/contect creation/influencing IS a job experience you just have to know how to utilise it!
I think this also applies to younger RU-vidrs as well. It definitely does scare me when people my age(19) will just go straight into youtube and not consider a future plan when they get older. Most likely only a few of those RU-vidrs will still be popular while the rest are struggling. They will drop out of high school/college just to live this dream. What if youtube does not work out and you have no job experience outside of youtube. I know that people want to pursue their dreams but they should not put all their eggs into one basket. It is also a bad example of people who are close to their age or younger. I am not saying that you have to go to college when you graduate high school but at least have a backup plan if you are not going to be the famous RU-vidr that you hoped to be.
Some RU-vidrs like bestdressed and Cody and Noel have a backup that has come from RU-vid. Ashley has done interviews about her fashion sense and did a jewelry line with a company. Cody and Noel got signed to a label. I feel like followers will support a full time youtuber even more when their content has opened doors for them in the “mainstream” work environment.
I recently made a big career change and I can’t tell you how many of these girls’ videos I watched when I was going through the thought process of wanting to quit my job in NYC to follow my dreams. I was personally inspired by their stories and it only motivated me further even though I wasn’t quitting my job to be a full time influencer (I ended up going to esthetician school). It was still interesting to see other women my age struggling with the big city corporate job life and it made me feel less alone. I was always constantly surrounded by people who loved their office jobs and when I started hating mine, it felt “wrong” that I hated it if that makes sense. I tried to swallow my feelings for a bit because it felt that working a 9-5 in an office was what I was “supposed” to do
I think I a world where some people cant afford to go to college to get a "good 9-5 job" just to quit and do youtube is a bit ungrateful and a little disconnected. On that note I totally understand why someone would want to give that up in order to be happier. It's all nuanced and I think that understanding privilege can go a long way in these situations.
The changing your life sentiment was something I've been thinking about all day today! I've always wanted to visit Italy. I have a friend who lives there and I want to visit, and I have a friend who told me to just go. It was so hard to explain that I *physically couldn't* because of school, lack of funds, and the desire to, ya know, pay for my transfer to four-year college this fall. I feel like following your dreams isn't about dropping everything and running, but building a life that can help you find your joys and passions in life. Will I go to Italy? Yes. But I'm saving for it and building up an emergency fund, instead of just going. Lots of things in life are luxuries and a lot of people don't realize that they take things like travel or dream chasing for granted. I love the video, you always kill it!
Completely agree! I just finished my "follow-your-dreams" undergrad and it showed me that my masters should be focused on something more likely to get me a good job. I want to be comfortable and not stressed every week over finances.
I've always been interested in this idea - I follow several RU-vidrs who do YT/social media full time. I have a small RU-vid channel that I enjoy making content for - as a hobby. I have a 9-5 job and I love the security it gives me and that it gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It also keeps me social - full time YT seems like it can be quite lonely for some people, and I think that would happen to me. So as much as I would love to grow my YT channel to a point where I could consider quitting my job, I don't think I ever would actually do it. The security of a 9-5 job is far too appealing for me!
