Sharon Kim, a recent graduate of Parsons School of Design, credits her social media earnings for allowing her to purchase a $750,000 home with her brother after graduation. She started her YouTube channel in high school and has earned around $162,000 from it in 2022 and 2023. However, Kim ultimately decided to pursue a corporate career as a UX designer for the stability it provides, acknowledging that income from content creation can be inconsistent. She currently earns around $94,000 in her corporate role and continues to maintain her YouTube channel on the side.
Kim explains that earning money from content creation is more complex than it appears, as creators must manage sponsorships, affiliates, and contracts on their own. While working long hours to keep up with both her full-time job and her social media channels, Kim finds that content creation gives her a sense of autonomy that her corporate job cannot provide. Despite the additional workload, she values having the best of both worlds and appreciates the financial stability of her corporate position.
For those interested in pursuing content creation alongside a 9-to-5 job, Kim offers advice to start small and test the waters for at least a year before committing fully. It’s essential to understand your employer’s guidelines on social media usage and avoid disclosing private company information. Kim suggests posting lifestyle content and tutorials to avoid conflicts of interest. She also recommends surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals to encourage and support you in your content creation journey.
Kim emphasizes the importance of networking and meeting new people in the content creation industry to alleviate stress and gain valuable insights. By connecting with others who have similar aspirations, you can build a supportive community and learn from their experiences. Kim’s story highlights the balance between pursuing a corporate career for stability and exploring the autonomy and creativity offered by content creation. Ultimately, her success demonstrates the potential for individuals to navigate both worlds and find fulfillment in multiple areas of their professional lives.
