Next time you’re doomscrolling on TikTok, take a closer look. You might just be liking, sharing or commenting on content created by the person sitting next to you in your Moody classroom. For over a decade, Moody College has been shaping the next generation of social media stars, offering a culture of creativity that inspires students to take a chance on content creation, often leading to career-defining success. Moody Magazine sat down with three Moody influencers, each at different stages of their social media journey. 

Audrey Atienza, a 2024 graduate and full-time content creator in New York City, built a thriving lifestyle brand with over 150,000 YouTube followers. Sophia Judice, a Moody senior and TikTok sensation, balances the whirlwind of viral fame with the demands of college life. Then there’s Devon DiMichele, a rising content creator whose relentless passion for social media fuels her daily posts as she works to grow her platform. Together, Moody College isn’t just preparing students for traditional media careers, it’s also empowering a new generation of digital creators.

For some Moody students, what started as a hobby has turned into a lucrative business. For instance, Audrey launched her YouTube channel in 2018, initially posting personal vlogs. However, it was her day-in-the-life videos that caught the algorithm, propelling her channel forward. By the time she graduated high school, her audience had grown significantly, and she now earns a steady income from YouTube revenue and brand partnerships. Sophia, while first skeptical of TikTok, found her quarantine boredom videos caught the right audience at the right time. What started as a passion in her niche for “BookTok” and relatable storytelling about her personal life turned into a steady source of income, as she now earns through TikTok’s creator fund and brand partnerships. Devon avoided the idea of posting until landing her UTLA fashion internship. However, with her outfit of the day videos, she discovered her authenticity and travel content resonated with young adults in college! 

Though the three influencers all came from out-of-state, they were all drawn to Moody College’s powerhouse programs, hands-on experience and entertainment industry connections. With creativity at its core, every professor at Moody emphasizes real-world applications, equipping students with the skills to thrive in the industry. For example, Audrey still refers to her “How Hollywood Works” class for media contracts and industry negotiations when she receives her influencer agreements. 

Sophia credits radio-television-film’s “Telling and Selling a Story” with strengthening her ability to craft engaging narratives, a skill that not only enhances her content creation but also aligns perfectly with her future career in script coverage. She also emphasized the work of communications professor John Daly. She said she struggled with social anxiety in high school, and his course, “Interpersonal Communications Theory,” gave her a deep understanding of human interaction, ultimately boosting her confidence in real life and how she connects with her audience online. 

For Devon, Moody’s network has been invaluable. Her involvement in TSTV and “Good Morning Longhorns” has given her hands-on experience in broadcasting and storytelling, which has improved her confidence on camera. Media Law with Dr. Amy Sanders also opened her eyes to data privacy, intellectual property and brand agreements —  crucial components in her social media partnerships and in the luxury fashion business. 

When asked for their advice to other Moody students looking to break into the influencer space, each had their own unique take on balancing the fast-paced SEC lifestyle, demanding university coursework and personal life — all while leveraging the growing wave of social media opportunities. Their insights weren’t just about going viral, but about strategically building a brand, staying authentic and making the most of Moody’s resources. 

@AudreyAtienza: "If you’re only creating for an audience, you’ll burn out. Find something you love capturing.  For me, I love having the memories to look back on, and let that passion drive your content.”

@SophiaJudiice: "People think being an influencer is not work, but there's actually a real strategy behind it. Even just having a notes app and planning ahead, posting daily and then just taking advantage of every opportunity Moody offers."

@dhdmichele: "Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, whoever other people want you to be is not who you're meant to be. You're meant to be you, right? The best thing you can do is start posting and let Moody’s resources help you navigate the business side of content creation."

Each of these students leveraged Moody’s powerful network to carve out a path in the entertainment industry. Audrey found a thriving UT community in New York, which helped her navigate the transition to full-time content creation. Sophia just landed her dream post-grad job at United Talent Agency in Los Angeles, a success she credits to UTLA and the industry connections she built. Meanwhile, Devon, currently studying abroad in Barcelona and thriving in the fashion marketing world, recognizes that Moody’s internship opportunities and creative environment inspired her to launch REACH at UT, a national influencer organization designed to connect and empower student creators.

Influencer careers now rival traditional paths in entertainment and journalism, offering both creative freedom and financial independence. One of the most impressive aspects of Moody is how its progressive professors seamlessly adapt to these evolving careers, preparing students to navigate and succeed in this rapidly changing industry. With Moody College producing influencers like a content creator launchpad, it’s only a matter of time before the next viral sensation is live-streaming from a West Campus apartment.