VidCon is an annual convention held in Anaheim, California this year held in June. As explained on their website,
VidCon is for people who love online video. Independent creators, enablers, viewers and supporters of all kinds. The ways that we entertain, educate, share, and communicate are being revolutionized. The creators attending and on-stage at VidCon are central to that revolution.
This was my 4th VidCon, but this year was the first time I wasn’t just an attendee. After reaching out to the convention organizers I was asked to moderate a panel of five young YouTubers called “Balancing School and YouTube.” Leading up to the June convention I wrote about the panel (here).
As the program description explained,
“Succeeding in school is hard, succeeding on YouTube is harder. But a precious few are doing both…at the same time. Making the hard decision to stay in school but keep YouTubing when they could be focusing full-time on their YouTube careers, the panelists will discuss why they’ve made those decisions and how they balance school life with online life.”
The session was awesome and the YouTube panelists were even more incredible. Below you can find a few video highlights, rewinding back to the session two months ago. Apologizes for the lack of quality, but it should give you an idea of the energy and response of the 500 attendees!
Some of the questions we covered in the hour panel included:
- What stage are you in your education?
- What is the toughest part of being both a student & a YouTuber?
- What are some time management techniques you are using to succeed in the classroom and online?
- Have you ever been tempted or encouraged to drop out of school?
- What advice would you give to aspiring YouTubers who are currently in high school & college?
- What you skills you’ve built from YouTube came in handy with school projects?
- Do you feel your school/parents/peers view YouTube as a legitimate career path?
I’m hoping to continue the panel for future VidCon’s, so let me know other YouTubers in School you’d want on the panel!
Wanna see more on the panel?
Check out Ricky Dillon’s Vlog and a fan-produced video below.
Check out and subscribe to the panelists!
- Jillian Striffler: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmw71r6H-Byv-N9UHwqQbFA
- Jon Cozart, Paint: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAVns3lt0t7w8lmUZQFlvrA
- Kingsley: https://www.youtube.com/user/ItsKingsleyBitch
- Lia Marie Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Ape6X3wiKxdH4TdSDcrZA
- Ricky Dillon: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBxs6sUSOJ3UUATAi4rp30w
