Introduction
Remember a time when glossy magazine pages and Victoria’s Secret models were the epitome of beauty and inspiration for women? Well, we have come a long way since then. Beauty isn’t just restricted to the height or colour of a person, nor the size or shape of their body. On that note, not only the fashion industry but the whole career industry in general is facing a revolutionary shift for women in this Digital Era. Let’s delve deeper and find out how.
The Digital Revolution has brought forth newer perspectives, and, along with it, new ways to approach problems. An age-old issue faced by all women since yore has been the lack of access to a career. Too educated, too little education, too pretty to work in an office, too shabby to be in a corporate setting, too much of a mom to give enough time to her job- all this hullabaloo has cut out the authentic voice of women for centuries. Social Media has, in its own ways, helped quieten the noise a bit and allowed these women to speak. Their authentic voices can now create a niche, and they can shine on their path.
Shaping Career Aspirations of Women
You can ask how Instagram and Facebook are related to building a career. Well, think about it. At this point, about a quarter of the country is hell-bent on becoming a known face on YouTube or Facebook, or Instagram. The influencer industry found its cornerstone during the pandemic, and it has not stopped building it since. The voices of bold, beautiful, and shrewd women are resonant on social media because of this. And yes, this is a career path.
In an increasingly globalized world, the career choices and development of young women are being impacted actively by social media. In layperson’s terms, the whole world has been stitched together by the thread called social media, and everyone is a part of the weave. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the worldview by challenging stereotypes, pushing boundaries, facilitating networking, displaying women in successful career roles, and more. The disparities, policy changes, and media coverage are encouraging women to venture out more and explore challenging opportunities while fostering a sense of belonging. It is essential to note that it is not only women who are included in such changes but also the LGBTQ community, who are becoming more confident in expressing their perspectives in a world like ours.
Entrepreneurship
The first field giving shape to careers that comes to mind in the context of social media is entrepreneurship. Women entrepreneurs are actively increasing, and all of this is due to the better opportunities that have been made available. Shopify, linktree, and many such websites help create visibility for companies. This also means having better access to markets, more consumers, and a better way to advertise your niche product. There are communities on Instagram and Facebook that help find like-minded individuals. This leads to networking and collaborating, which are crucial parts of building a successful business.
Career Opportunities
It goes without saying that career opportunities are available for anyone who has a stable internet connection and a device that can access the internet. Platforms such as LinkedIn, Upwork, etc., are bringing forth opportunities for anyone and everyone sitting at any corner of the globe. These are also connecting women with mentors, peers, and other people who can offer invaluable career advice. Role models are just a text away now. Niche-focused communities help women gain the support and criticism that can steer them towards their dream goals.
Education and Awareness
Any and every social media platform, be it Quora, Reddit, Medium, etc, offers everyone a peek into the world. The unsolicited, unedited scenarios that shape the society in which we are thriving today. Not only that, there are special sites dedicated only to the learning of several subjects, like Coursera, Udemy, etc. In today’s world, no book is out of your reach, no knowledge is unachievable, and no goal is too big to reach. Media initiatives to promote STEM for women are a much-focused topic of this age.
Social media has helped people become aware of issues like gender equality, feminism, women’s reproductive health, and many more. In countries where *** education is not practised or where people do not talk about ****** orientations because it is against the law, social media provides subtle reality checks. Not every movement starts with a whole parade with people marching and shouting; sometimes, revolutions happen in small homes and behind the privacy of a curtain.
Personal branding and Influencer Marketing
A brand does not necessarily need to be limited to an inanimate object anymore. People themselves are brands, and why not? When there are creatives all around the globe with unparalleled talent and unmatched wit, they need to be showcased to the world. That is how the world knows more, accepts more, and grows.
Influencers are technically the harbingers of change in this world. People follow their favourite influencers, their dress style, their food habits, etc. This ushers in empowerment on a greater level as it means more inclusivity and changes simple things like fashion, perspectives, and opinions. While these influencers are building their brand, society is also changing with them based on their comments and the knowledge they bring with them.
The Cons of Online Branding
Where there is light, there will be a shadow. Social media brings many fruitful changes to humankind, but it is not flawless. There are more than a hundred instances where social media has proved to be the enemy of people, has spread negativity, and has changed a person for the worse. Some of the many flaws of social media could be:
Personal branding can sometimes lead to superficial qualities in an individual. It can hamper your privacy and the lines between private and professional life often blur.
Not all influencers are genuine or hard-working. Some of them spread the wrong messages, which can be harmful to the younger generation.
Cyberbullying is a rampant fallacy of social media, and many people have been the victims of such hate crimes.
It is difficult to always reach out to strangers on social media. Not all people turn out to be great friends or mentors.
Activism or sharing political sentiments are a rather sensitive issue. Despite holding freedom of speech, social media sometimes irks the rage of specific communities in response to a harmless opinion of one individual, which can escalate into something worse.
While feminism, in its fourth wave, is trying to make an impact on social media, certain patriarchal figureheads are trying to suppress the movement. The same goes for any other activist movement.
Building an online business can turn out to be a hollow investment if the proper techniques are not applied.
Conclusion
When we think about social media, we instantly imagine the logo of Instagram, TikTok, or any other platform. What we do not believe is that these platforms are changing every aspect of our lives, little by little, every day. And in the case of women’s lives, it plays an even bigger role. Not only fashion styles, the lingo, or the trends, but also the career of a woman might be affected by the sheer exposure to social media. Be it building a brand or raising a slogan for awareness, social media can be a blessing if used in the right way.
From finding out about a career to building the ladder that will take you to your success, social media is inherently present in a lot of ways. All we have to do is use it constructively, safely, and keep the bigger picture in mind.
