Our Founders Talk Creator Careers at University of California, San Diego
Nat & Sam at University of California San Diego, January 2026
Last Wednesday, our founders, Nat & Sam, were invited to speak at a career event at the University of California San Diego, where they shared more about the work we do at The Viralist Group and what it is really like to build a career in the creator economy.
Many people still think influencer marketing is just about posting on social media. What often goes unseen is the strategy, operations, and coordination happening behind the scenes, which became a big part of the conversation.
A few years ago, a career in influencer marketing, or even talent management, felt vague and undefined because the industry itself was still taking shape.
Today, that has changed. There are now structured career paths, specialized roles and real opportunities to build long-term, impactful work in the creator economy. ✨
Nat & Sam broke down the reality of talent management and what our work looks like on a daily basis.
One of the most engaging parts of the session was breaking down the different roles that exist in this industry. From negotiating brand partnerships and managing campaign deliverables to supporting creators long term, there are many ways to be part of the creator economy beyond being a creator.
Our founders also shared how campaigns come together from the agency side, highlighting the collaboration between our influencer clients, brand clients and internal team members.
Whether it’s partnerships, strategy, tech, operations, or client services, the creator economy is an industry that depends on talents with diverse skill sets.
It was encouraging to meet students who are curious about the industry and excited about building careers in digital marketing and the creator space. The thoughtful questions and conversations were a strong reminder that this industry is still early and full of opportunity for new ideas and talent.
We are grateful to UCSD and the Indonesian Student Association at San Diego for having our team and for creating spaces where students can learn about emerging industries in a practical and meaningful way.
Moments like this are also a reminder that the work shared externally is powered by the team behind the scenes. Every campaign launched, every partnership secured, and every system improved is the result of people who care deeply about doing great work.
Being able to represent that collective effort is something we are proud of. 💚
