How to keep it real
LET YOUR OWN STRENGTHS INFLUENCE YOUR WORK CHOICES
ONE in three young people want a career as an influencer but one reality TV star has listened to his friends and family and chosen to get a real full-time job. Jake Ellis, who appeared as a contestant in The Bachelorette as well as two seasons of spin-off Bachelor in Paradise, is employed by digital marketing business Local search as a digital marketing specialist.
He admits his career path since leaving school has been “a bit all over the place”, having dropped out of a law and commerce degree and worked in the mines before realising he had a natural ability for sales.
But since appearing in the reality TV franchise, he has listened to those who have told him that his strengths lie in communication and networking, and mixed it with his tech sales experience for his new full-time role.
“For me, it hasn’t been a straight road,” he says.
“It’s taken time for me to find my niche and be really successful. I’ve done three TV shows over the years; when the first one came about I thought it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I jumped on it.
“I was fortunate for that to extend in a few other shows and so on and so on to a national profile. It wasn’t my goal to work in the media.
“I was lucky to be able to do that but that’s not my passion. I didn’t see the longevity of that.”
Generation Z social media platform Yubo surveyed 1000 Australians aged 13 to 25 on their future professional endeavours to find becoming an influencer or content creator is a career goal for 32 per cent.
A further 28 per cent are contemplating it, while 40 per cent have ruled it out.
The survey also finds 13 per cent are not sure where they will be working in a few years, but want to explore different job opportunities.
When working full time, 11 per cent want to be able to explore their own side projects.
Yubo founder and chief executive Sacha Lazimi says Gen Z has been growing up with smartphones and social media, where the largest platforms are centred on content creation, gaining followers and influence.
So it is not a surprise that young people think becoming an influencer is an attractive career choice.
However, he says the survey also finds almost a quarter of young people see themselves in an industry that helps others.
“After the past year we have endured, we’re very proud to see that Gen Z Aussies are inspired to give back to the community,” he says.
“It’s great to see that the next wave of workers will be making a big difference.”
Ellis, 35, says his career path has “definitely been a learning curve” but believes he has found his niche.
While he still is involved in some influencer work, and also is an ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, he is enjoying working on the road, travelling to small and medium businesses in regional New South Wales.
“My dad was a salesman all his life and I was told I would be a salesman,” he said.
“I love meeting new people through small business – I’ve always been able to find that common ground.”