High School
Take English and speech classes in high school to help develop your communication skills. Take as many computer science- and Internet-related courses as possible to learn about the technology behind social media applications. Other important classes include advertising, marketing, and psychology.
Postsecondary Education
There is no standard educational path for social media workers. Some have bachelor’s degrees in computer science or information management, while others have degrees in advertising, marketing, marketing research, new media, journalism, or the liberal arts. Additionally, an increasing number of colleges and universities throughout the United States are recognizing the popularity of social media careers by adding classes and even majors in digital media and related fields. Check out major and course listings at colleges that you might want to attend to see what educational opportunities are available. Aspiring social media workers should also complete at least one internship as part of their college education.
Other Education or Training
Professional associations offer training opportunities for social media workers. For example, the Digital Analytics Association offers courses like "Fundamentals of Digital Analytics" and "Applying Digital Analytics." The International Web Association offers classes in categories such as Web technologies, Web programming, Web graphics and multimedia, and Web business. The Online News Association's Student Newsroom and Innovation Lab "immerses undergraduate and graduate college students in a digital media environment by providing hands-on experience during the three-day Online News Association Conference & Awards Ceremony." Other organizations that offer continuing education classes, webinars, workshops, and videos include the American Marketing Association and the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
- Actors
- Advertising Managers
- Animators
- App Services Workers
- Art Directors
- Artist and Repertoire Workers
- Artists
- Audio Recording Engineers
- Augmented Reality Developers
- Back-End Developers
- Bloggers
- Book Editors
- Brand Ambassadors
- Broadcast Engineers
- Camera Operators
- Cartoonists
- Chief Information Officers
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Choreographers
- Cinematographers and Directors of Photography
- Circus Performers
- Clowns
- Columnists
- Comedians
- Comic Book Writers
- Computer and Video Game Designers
- Computer Network Administrators
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Support Service Owners
- Computer Support Specialists
- Computer Systems Programmer/Analysts
- Computer Trainers
- Content Management Specialists
- Copy Editors
- Copywriters
- Corporate Community Relations Directors
- Cybersecurity Architects
- Dancers
- Data Processing Technicians
- Database Specialists
- Demographers
- Digital Advertising Workers
- Digital Agents
- Digital Designers
- Digital Marketing Workers
- Directors of Corporate Sponsorship
- Disc Jockeys
- Editorial Assistants
- Editorial Research Assistants
- Editors
- ETL Developers
- Fashion Illustrators
- Fashion Writers and Editors
- Fiber Optics Technicians
- Film and Television Directors
- Film and Television Editors
- Film and Television Extras
- Film and Television Producers
- Food Writers and Editors
- Foreign Correspondents
- Full Stack Developers/Engineers
- Fund-Raisers
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Graphic Designers
- Graphics Programmers
- Green Marketers
- Growth Hackers
- Hedge Fund Investor Relations Specialists
- Help Desk Representatives
- Illustrators
- Information Assurance Analysts
- Information Brokers
- Information Security Analysts
- Information Technology Infrastructure Engineers
- Information Technology Security Consultants
- Internet Consultants
- Internet Content Curators
- Internet Developers
- Internet Executives
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet of Things Developers
- Internet Quality Assurance Specialists
- Internet Security Specialists
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Internet Transaction Specialists
- JavaScript Developers
- Journalism Teachers
- Literary Agents
- Live Streamers
- Magazine Editors
- Magicians
- Makeup Artists
- Market Research Analysts
- Marketing Consultants
- Marketing Managers
- Media Planners and Buyers
- Media Relations Specialists
- Mobile Software Developers
- Motion Graphics Artists
- Motivational Speakers
- Multimedia Artists and Animators
- Multimedia Sound Workers
- Music Agents and Scouts
- Music Conductors and Directors
- Music Journalists
- Music Producers
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- Music Video Directors and Producers
- Music Video Editors
- Musicians
- Mutual Fund Marketing Specialists
- News Anchors
- Newspaper Editors
- Non-Fungible Token Artists
- Online Gambling Specialists
- Online Journalists
- Online Producers
- Online Reputation Managers
- Personal Privacy Advisors
- Photo Editors
- Photographers
- Photojournalists
- Podcasters
- Political Consultants
- Pop/Rock Musicians
- Press Secretaries
- Production Assistants
- Production Designers and Art Directors
- Professional Hackers
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Public Relations Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Publicists
- Publicity Photographers
- Radio and Television Announcers
- Radio and Television Program Directors
- Radio Producers
- Reporters
- Sales Development Representatives
- Science and Medical Writers
- Screenwriters
- Search Engine Optimization Specialists
- Show Runners
- Singers
- Social Media Influencers
- Software Application Developers
- Software Designers
- Software Engineers
- Software Quality Assurance Testers
- Songwriters
- Sports Broadcasters and Announcers
- Sports Photographers
- Sports Publicists
- Sportswriters
- Stage Production Workers
- Stunt Performers
- Talent Agents and Scouts
- Technical Support Specialists
- Technical Writers and Editors
- Technology Ethicists
- Telemarketers
- User Experience Designers
- Video Game Art Directors
- Video Game Producers
- Video Game Testers
- Visual Interaction Designers
- Webmasters
- Wireless Service Technicians
- Writers