Monetize your skills before you graduate.
For a long time, we have been taught to think of our careers as something that must start after graduation. After completing an internship, or after someone else decides we are qualified. However, over time, I have come to realize that we all already possess valuable information.
The career glow-up doesn’t start with learning something entirely new, but instead with exploring what you already know.
The lie we’ve been told
For some reason, hobbies often seem unserious.
- Writing was something we had to learn in school
- Being organized was just an odd personality trait
- Content creation was seen as embarrassing
Helping your friends design, plan, research, or explain things doesn’t count as real experience in the career world. But if you think about it, hobbies are rarely “just for fun.”
They take time and energy without reward, and I don’t see that as simply “fun.”In a world where digital income grows every single day, monetizing that information is a lot easier than people think.
How to Monetize Your Skills as a College Student
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they want to start making money online is searching for the latest trends instead of using what they already love to do.
The truth is, if you want to be successful, you need to focus on what you are best at! Ignore what everyone else is already doing.
- Do you like writing, thinking about concepts on a deeper level, and putting ideas into words that connect with a target audience?
- Do you enjoy breaking things down into easy step-by-step formats?
- Are you the friend people go to when they feel overwhelmed and need advice?
- Would you rather work behind the scenes than be on camera?
All of these preferences are different, yet each is valuable, and each leads to a different path depending on your interests.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a “guaranteed to get rich” way of starting a digital career. There is, however, a way that fits your lifestyle and goals.
My series, The Career Glow-Up, is designed to help you build a career that fits your life, not the other way around.
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert
Most of us aren’t experts yet, and that’s okay. You do not need to know everything; you just need to grasp one topic clearly.
Most people who have figured out how to monetize what they already know are not industry experts. They are people, like you and me, who have figured something out and shared it with people before overthinking it.
- They learned how to explain
- They built a community
- They solved a problem efficiently
- They figured out what would make it easier
Instead of keeping that knowledge to themselves, they shared it in a way others could understand. I truly believe anyone can do this.
The Process: Turning skills Into Income
Starting small is the only way to grow. You don’t need to create your entire business plan on the first day.
Step 1: Choose your first offer
Of course, I have some examples for you:
Writing → Blogging, newsletters, guidebooks
Organization → Planners, Notion templates, advice
Social Media → Strategy assistance, content planning
Design → Commissions, Canva templates, graphics
Research → Tutoring, project management, guides
Being clear about what you do and who you help is how you find your target audience. Passive income is very possible here!
Step 2: Actually create your offer
There are free websites for almost everything. Find one and put your skills to use.
I plan to breakdown my favorite tools for selling digital products and resources!
Step 3: Build an audience
This part can feel very scary and very frustrating. Again, I am going to preach not succumbing to trends. Be the original, authentic you, and the right people will notice.
Step 4: Start Selling
This might take a little bit of money, but it will be worth it. Etsy, Gumroad, Shopify, Julip, and more are great options to sell digitally.
Why College Is an Advantage
You may be thinking, “But… I’m in college.”
I promise, this actually works in your favor. Waiting until you feel ready isn’t what we’re doing here. College students have so many advantages that most people don’t realize until it is too late.
- You have a low overhead cost. Most digital streams of income cost almost nothing to begin.
- You have flexibility. You can test ideas, change ideas, take a break, and adjust without drawbacks.
- You have relevance. You are part of the primary audience that so many brands and businesses want to understand.
Throw out the long-winded 5-year plan. Stay consistent, and be willing to take yourself seriously even when no one else is.
the career glow-up
This series isn’t going to add more to your already busy schedule. We are just going to take what you already have and monetize it.
If you know exactly what you want to do and are not open to any other approaches, this series is probably not for you. And that is perfectly fine!
I am just here to tell you that you do not need to wait until you feel ready. You do not need to be scared to explore income outside of a traditional 9-5.
Once you accept this reality, we can begin your glow-up. I believe in you!
Stay tuned for the next article in The Career Glow-Up Series!
For more financial advice, visit Finance 101 by Her Campus!
