If AI disappears, I might just resign

Hey, can we meet you?

My name is Moyin, and I’m a Social Media Manager at a startup agency in Lagos. I basically live on the internet. My job involves running multiple brand accounts, creating content strategies, brainstorming campaigns, and making sure our clients don’t wake up one day and decide they don’t need social media anymore. It’s really fast-paced but hey, that’s the life I signed up for.

Indeed o! How did you get into this role?

Honestly? I just started. I was always interested in digital marketing, so I experimented with different types of content; personal branding, brand storytelling, paid ads, engagement strategies, all of it. I took a few online courses, applied what I learned, and started freelancing for small businesses. That was where I got my hands dirty; learning what works, what doesn’t, and how to manage social media beyond just posting nice graphics.

After a while, I started applying for jobs. I won’t lie, the job hunt humbled me. It felt like everyone was looking for a “unicorn”; a content writer, video editor, strategist, ad manager, and community builder all in one. But eventually, I landed this role at a design agency, and it’s been a crazy ride ever since.

That’s interesting. What’s your favorite thing about the job?

The people. 100%. Working in an agency means I’m surrounded by ridiculously talented creatives; brand designers, illustrators, product designers, copywriters. Everyone is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and being in that kind of environment sharpens you.

The best part is that I also get to meet even more high-impact people through collaborations; tech founders, marketing leads, and business executives. Even though my job can feel like I’m sprinting on a treadmill, the network I’m building makes it all worth it. You never know when one of these connections will open a big door.

Love it for youu. How about the worst part, lol?

The deadlines. I don’t think people understand just how fast-paced social media can be. One minute, you’re celebrating a campaign win, the next, your client is asking what's next before you’ve even taken a breath. There’s barely any time to slow down and properly learn new things on the job, which is frustrating because social media is always evolving.

Also, the pressure to be creative all the time is real. It’s not every day your brain wants to come up with witty captions and engagement-worthy content. That’s why I try to work on personal projects, it’s the only way I can keep my creative muscle from atrophying.

How much do you earn?

200k monthly. And if you live in Lagos, you already know what that means. Between transportation, feeding, and the occasional ‘treat yourself’ moment, there’s not much left at the end of the month. I sha now understand why everyone in Lagos has a side hustle

Do you use AI at work?

Absolutely. If AI disappeared tomorrow, a lot of us would simply close shop. 

The workload is insane, and AI helps me speed up the parts of the job that don’t need manual labour; content drafting, summarizing reports, and brainstorming ideas when my brain is tired. 

Would you say you got what you ordered?

Half and half, tbh. I wanted a role that would expose me to great minds and allow me to create cool campaigns, and I got that. But I also wanted a role that gave me time to grow my skills, and that part has been tough. With the crazy deadlines, like I said I’ve had to be very intentional about learning outside of work, otherwise, I’d just be running in circles.

Advice you’d give your younger self?

Start before you feel ready. You will never feel 100% ready, and that’s okay. The most important thing is to start, learn as you go, and improve along the way. 

Any professional regrets so far?

Not prioritizing my personal brand earlier. I spent tall my time building other people’s brands that I forgot mine existed. If I had been more intentional about putting myself out there earlier, I’d have built more authority in my field and probably landed higher-paying gigs by now

Any final thoughts?

For anyone considering social media management; just know that it’s a wild but rewarding ride. You’ll have days where everything you post flops, and days where you accidentally go viral. Stay curious, keep learning, and find ways to make the job fun. Also, AI is your friend; use it to make your work easier, not to replace your creativity