Kevin O’Leary: I don’t believe in only engineering anymore
Canadian billionaire and Shark Tank Judge Kevin O’Leary has said he no longer believes engineering is the only educational path that guarantees career success, arguing that storytelling and digital content creation have emerged among the most lucrative skills in today's economy.
In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), O'Leary said his views on education and high-demand careers have shifted significantly over the past few years as businesses increasingly rely on creators and digital marketers to acquire customers and grow revenue."I used to say just a few years ago, the only education you should get is engineering, engineering, and engineering. I don't believe that anymore," O'Leary wrote.
According to O'Leary, skills such as storytelling, photography and video editing are reshaping the way both large and small companies attract customers. He said creators are becoming essential business partners because they help brands lower customer acquisition costs and improve returns on advertising spending.
Kevin’O Leary believes creators changing how businesses find customers
O’Leary said storytelling, photography, video editing and content creation are reshaping the landscape for both large and small businesses by helping them acquire customers.
“It’s not a $48,000 career anymore, it’s more like a $400,000 career because they’re doing the contracts with multiple companies,” he said. He added that creators are showing companies how to reduce their customer acquisition cost and increase their return on ad spend. “That’s the opportunity,” he said. He ended with a nod to the creative fields: “It’s amazing what’s happening to the arts.”
What 'O Leary means
Customer acquisition cost is how much a business spends to win one new customer.
Return on ad spend measures the revenue earned for every dollar spent on advertising. O’Leary’s argument is that creators who can produce content that brings in customers cheaply are being paid by several companies at once, rather than working for a single employer on a fixed salary. The $48,000 and $400,000 figures are O’Leary’s own and were not accompanied by a source.
He did not say what group of workers they refer to or whether the higher number represents typical or top-end earnings.
'Amazing what's happening to the arts'
O'Leary said the growing demand for content creators highlights a broader shift in the economy, where creative professionals are increasingly driving business growth."That's the opportunity. It's amazing what's happening to the arts," he said.
Read Kevin O’Leary’s post here
I used to say just a few years ago, the only education you should get is engineering, engineering, and engineering. I don't believe that anymore because storytelling, photography, video editing, and creators, are changing the landscape for both large and small businesses by acquiring customers. It's not a $48,000 career anymore, it's more like a $400,000 career because they’re doing the contracts with multiple companies, showing them how to reduce their customer acquisition cost and increase their return on ad spend. That's the opportunity. It's amazing what's happening to the arts.