7 Emerging Careers in Social Media

Over the past decade, society has shifted toward social media for just about everything. What started out as a way to connect with friends and family, has now become platforms for businesses and organizations to promote their services, individuals to turn into influencers, and a way for everyone to market themselves, products, or a company.

With social networking sites estimated to reach 3.78 billion users in 2021, the rise in demand for social media professionals is increasing now more than ever. Companies and organizations are finding that keeping up with social media is a full-time job by itself – not to mention one also must understand how it works to be successful.

If you’re someone who is social media savvy or wants to become a social media expert, keep reading to find out what popular jobs you may be interested in doing.  

What is social media?

Simply speaking, social media refers to applications and websites that allow users to quickly share content with their audience in real-time. With these various social media platforms, users have the ability to share photos, comment on posts, and re-share content at any time of the day. This way of using technology and the internet has transformed the way people interact and even how they conduct business. 

Digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are versatile in that anyone can use them for their own agenda. A college student interested in video game design might create an Instagram page to post their work, while a business owner may decide to start a profile to promote their products and services. What makes social media favorable is how it allows users to reach such a large audience that was once not an option. 

Along with content being able to be shared on one platform, many social media networks can be used together to cross-share. Subscribers from various platforms can interact with an organization’s profile and posts in different ways, increasing their online presence. Learning how to use social media for businesses and organizations at a university such as NJIT can be a game changer. 

Social media skills

Believe it or not, just because you use social media, doesn't mean you automatically have the skills and knowledge it takes to become a social media expert. If you’re looking into social media careers, it’s important to have these skills mastered:

• Communication 

• Ability to understand and track social media analytics and trends

• Time management 

• Project management

• Creativity 

• Marketing 

• Strong writing skills

• Managing key performance indicators (KPIs)

If you’re not familiar with these skills, don’t worry. Consider pursuing a BA in Communications and Media from NJIT to put you on the social media career path.

7 Emerging careers in social media

Mastering the social media skills listed above gives you versatility to work in different areas and roles. When applying them to a professional setting, you’ll not only be enhancing your current skills, but also learning new ones to advance your career – and don’t forget, you can even increase your social media career salary with these skills. Whether you’re just starting out, or are looking for a new role, these are some of the most popular social media careers:

1) Director of social media

Social media directors are responsible for overseeing all aspects of digital networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, as well as any blogs created for the organization. These directors may also lead a team of social media managers and coordinators to help create and promote the brand of an organization or business. 

Directors of social media must be able to think critically and creatively, interact with clients, and collaborate with marketing professionals.

Average Median Base Salary: $76,008

Average High Base Salary: $132,000 

2) Content marketing

When it comes to creating content, three words should immediately come to mind; consistent, valuable, and relevant. These three attributes are what make or break content when it comes to attracting an audience with the purpose of increasing profits. Content marketing is a technique that creates and distributes content for a specific audience with the intention of driving consumer action.

Those in the role of content marketer work with the organization to create marketing campaign goals, understand their mission, and identify a target audience. Once this is achieved, it is their job to create valuable content that is interesting, memorable, and interactive to boost brand awareness and ultimately grow their sales or leads. 

Average Base Salary: $51,630

Average High Base Salary: $79,000

3) Social media manager

Social media professionals in this role are tasked with organizing an organization’s brand across various social platforms. Social media managers ensure that the brand is being properly represented across different channels by interacting with their audience through comments, setting content guidelines, and developing relevant topics to increase brand awareness. 

Managers also supervise coordinators and take the lead in strategizing and executing digital marketing campaigns, then gathering the data and analyzing it to see what changes need to be made. Individuals in this position should constantly strive to improve their organization’s social media presence in creative and unique ways.    

Average Base Salary: $52,125

Average High Base Salary: $80,000

4) Social media coordinator

The social media coordinator typically works directly under the social media manager to help boost brand awareness across multiple digital platforms. These individuals help develop the social media campaigns for their organization itself or new product offerings. Social media coordinators might also be in contact with influencers and update social media profiles on behalf of their organization.

To be successful in this role, coordinators must have well-rounded knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tactics to maintain and enhance consumer engagement. Creativity is also crucial as a coordinator may be asked to contribute to the design and execution of infographics, logos, and digital posters.

Average Base Salary: $40,671

Average High Base Salary: $54,000

5) Creative designer

If you’re more interested in the artistic side of social media, becoming a creative designer may be a smart career move. Creative designers work closely with the social media team to bring their idea concepts to life. Professionals in this role have the opportunity to create digital layouts for social media marketing campaigns using digital illustration software. 

As a social media professional in this role, you’ll have the ability to design, create, and execute images, infographics, and advertisements with social media in mind. Pairing graphic design skills with social media skills prepares you to think of ways to attract consumers through digital content that will appeal to your target audience.   

Average Base Salary: $47,031

Average High Base Salary: $83,000

6) Market research analyst

Just because you’re working in social media, doesn’t mean you have to be creating content and designing marketing campaigns. As a market research analyst you’ll be responsible for gathering market intelligence and presenting it to your organization. While conducting your research, results should be compiled into dense reports and detailed spreadsheets so all insights are organized and easy to access. 

The insights that are gathered by a market research analyst will help the organization decide what products or services they should gear their digital marketing campaigns toward, as well as which demographics the social media team should focus on. This analysis can also shed light on the needs, preferences, and trends occurring, so the organization’s social media knows what to promote. 

Average Base Salary: $63,790

Average High Base Salary: $89,580

7) Brand manager

Those in the role of brand manager are responsible for maintaining the overall image of the organization, company, or person they’re working for. Brand managers working within social media marketing must research the market place, manage budgets, develop marketing and advertising strategies, create designs and layouts for digital advertisements and media, and evaluate how the brand is seen through the public’s eyes. 

Individuals in this role will not only be on the strategic marketing side of social media, but may also work to build relationships with social influencers and other media sites, monitor social media trends to remain current and up to date, and pitch ideas for digital ad campaigns.  

Average Base Salary: $71,424

Average High Base Salary: $117,000

Become a leader in social media with NJIT

Social media is continuing to change and grow – there are always more things to learn and new skills to achieve. Whether you’re interested in social media careers or already in the industry and looking to keep your skills competitive, pursuing a degree in communications and media can help you achieve your goals. 

When you earn your BA degree from NJIT in communications and media, you’ll be learning how to use social media as a communication tool in the business, government, education, and non-profit sectors. Students in the program will acquire a deep understanding of information technologies that provide them with new problem-solving skills. 

Turn your love of social media into a professional career and apply to NJIT’s BA in communication and media program – you’ll give yourself a competitive advantage and see a whole new side of social media.