Influencer degree launches in Irish uni

CARLOW - It is a job that did not exist until recently, but becoming an influencer is an increasingly popular career path among Gen Z youth in the modern era of social media.

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Now, a first-of-its-kind course at an Irish university is teaching wannabe influencers how to convert online presence and content on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube into revenue streams.

"Influencing is something that's catching fire," said course director Irene McCormick at South East Technological University in Carlow, an hour's drive south-west from the capital Dublin.

The idea grew out of a summer crash course, Digital Hustle, launched by Dr McCormick that was taught by TikTokers and attracted 350 applicants for 30 places.

After two years of development, the course - a four-year bachelor's degree in content creation and social media - received accreditation and welcomed its first intake of 15 students in September.