Your First Job as a Social Media Manager
Like project managers, many people become social media managers by accident. Every company needs a social media presence, and the responsibility to make that happen often falls on random employees who have enough time to take care of it or who're already passionate about social platforms.
Marketing teams are also known for letting interns or junior writers deal with social media and letting them get specialized in the area. This is not the case with big international companies whose profits rely immensely on public engagement. They hire professionals with years of experience, and they have entire media teams ready to back them up with all the necessary materials. So, you probably won't have much luck applying there as a beginner, but you might get the chance to shadow one of those professionals and learn from them what no course offers.
Joining communities like Facebook groups and LinkedIn is a great way to find your first job in the social media business. It's the first place small companies and startups will go to when they realize they have no one on board who's willing to "play around" with their public image. They usually don't have the funds or the need to hire someone full-time, so they'll resort to a part-time junior willing to help them out. Don't be shy to offer your services either. Be honest about your experience and try to provide an example of your work.
Friends or acquaintances who produce handmade crafts are another chance to get started. They'll be wrapped up in their work so much that they'll need a helping hand in photographing, publishing their products, and dealing with orders. You'll learn a lot in the process, growing together with their business.
