Kevin O’Leary Flips Script: Content Creators Top Engineers for Fastest Pay Growth
Kevin O’Leary Flips Script: Content Creators Top Engineers for Fastest Pay Growth
Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary used to push engineering degrees hard. Now he’s all in on content creators. In a recent X post, he wrote, “Ten years ago I said engineering was the only master’s degree worth pursuing. Not anymore. The fastest wage growth today is in creative storytelling across social media, people who can lower customer acquisition costs and increase ROAS every single week.”
Top creators pull $250K or $800K across companies, he added, because their work shows clear results. “Content is king, and the storytellers are winning.” Benzinga covered his post, pointing out how every business in his 50+ company portfolio needs an in-house media team to cut costs and sell online.
His Old Take: Engineering Rules Careers
Back in 2018, O’Leary told CNBC students should pick engineering in their top three career choices. Engineers turn patents into companies and land high-paying jobs reliably, he said then. Times of India recapped this shift from his engineering praise.
The Switch: By 2020, Views Change
O’Leary started softening in 2020 on YouTuber Evan Carmichael’s podcast. Social media content became the biggest growing cost in his companies. Now he says businesses must run targeted campaigns to tell their stories and drop acquisition costs. He still knocks MBAs as mostly networking, not credentials.
Engineering Under Pressure from AI
O’Leary’s not writing off engineering completely. Shark Tank Blog notes AI handles routine coding now, so pure technical skills lose edge. Engineers who mix in AI, systems thinking, communication, and business smarts stay ahead. Creators win short-term with lower barriers: anyone can start building brands and engagement online.
- Storytellers drive sales and trust directly.
- They beat entry-level $25K pay fast.
- Engineering grads often lack practical tools amid outdated programs.
Bigger Picture on Careers
The Shark Monitor ties it to his other talks, like AI replacing Hollywood extras. Benzinga and Money Digest cover his push for AI efficiencies there. O’Leary sees measurable skills ruling—whether cutting film costs or boosting ad returns. For students, he pushes adaptability over old paths.
Sebastyen
Sebastyen Wolf is our Editor-in-Chief. He is an analyst and entrepreneur with experience working alongside early-stage founders, launching online ventures, and studying the data patterns that shape successful companies. A fan of Shark Tank since Season 1, he now focuses on translating the show’s most valuable insights into clear, practical takeaways for readers.
