Company CEO to back-to-school kids: ‘Instagramming is not a career’

MANILA, Philippines — Since it is back to school season once more, many kids will be on the lookout for the hottest courses in town that could hopefully land them in profitable jobs.

A 27-year-old company owner, Angely Dub, was sad to hear that after speaking with students recently, she learned that a lot of them want to build their careers on social media like Instagram.

“You can’t be an Instagrammer. You can’t earn from that! It does not take you anywhere,” she reminded those thinking to become “social media influencers” during a recent talk organized by footwear brand Keds.

As a self-made travel agency owner who has traveled to 59 countries and has serviced some of the Philippines’ top celebrities like Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera as paying clients, Angely has also worked with Instagram personalities. But she has learned that “Instagram has become very fake because you can buy followers.”

She lamented how today’s society defines success by the number of one’s followers.

 “We travel for experience, not for social media,” she enthused. “Why do celebrities pay for my services? Because I don’t treat them like celebrities. I don’t call them ‘Ma’am’ or ‘Sir’ because that gives them power over me. I know that in the Filipino culture, you act like a slave, but for me, you’re like any client. Not everyone is a friend, especially when you’re in business.”

For those who want to become successful like her, she advised them to find a real work they can love, and not just dream about traveling the world relentlessly and posting the pictures on Instagram.

“Youth is temporary; adulthood is forever!”