IT Carlow(Image: Google Maps)

First-of-its-kind social media influencer degree launched in Carlow

23 Oct 2024, 04:00 by Ciara O'Loughlin · Irish Mirror

A first-of-its-kind social media influencer degree has been launched at an Irish university, and it is receiving global media coverage.

South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow has launched the first year of its Content Creation and Social Media course. It is a four-year degree programme that aims to give students the skills to become a successful social media influencer.

Fifteen wannabe influencers were accepted in the course's first intake earlier this month. Course Director Irene McCormick said the course was launched following a successful summer crash course called Digital Hustle.

She told AFP: “It got amazing traction, we could see the appetite for more, so we broadened it to degree level. Influencing is something that's catching fire. You can try to learn yourself at home but being empowered with practice and theory about how to connect with target demographics online is going to make a big difference to your career.”

Course modules include creative video, celebrity studies, psychology, data analytics and podcasting. Students will also learn how to use camera and audio equipment and will have work placement opportunities.

Ms McCormick said influencing is “serious business” as the global influencer market is currently worth around $21 billion. She added: “Yes, influencer posts on social media may sometimes be frivolous, but the actual business is not, it is a very serious business. So many Gen Z young people buy a lot of bling, and that bling is being sold through influencers.

"Around 70 per cent of marketers now believe in influencers as the future of marketing, governments are also using them to message people, that's how we access markets now."

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