During the isolated days of quarantine, when the world paused and everyone searched for new ways to connect, Tanmya Tripathi started her first blog on WordPress. With a laptop and a few ideas, she unknowingly sparked the social media journey she now embraces as an integral part of her life and career.
A management information systems junior and the content creator behind @yourstudentsupporter, Tripathi amassed over 130,000 TikTok followers and 8,000 Instagram followers from sharing her college student lifestyle and career tips. She said her social media presence began as an outlet to bond with people.
“I loved writing so much, I decided that it was time to start publishing my writing,” Tripathi said. “I was reading a lot of psychology, (so) a lot of it was based on how to achieve your goals (and) self-improvement.”
Tripathi said she shifted her content over to TikTok about four months later, transferring her writing into video-style posts, usually showing her face while talking about her tips.
“(I had) started a new anonymous account, not having told anyone, and I was posting no face videos,” Tripathi said. “I decided to post one with my face in it … and that one was the one that blew up.”
Tripathi said her growth and following now allow her to monetize her content through brand deals.
“I fully started my social media having zero intention of monetization,” Tripathi said. “When I started monetizing through my first brand deal, I realized (it) doubled as a side hustle and a hobby.”
Katherine Chao, a computer science senior and close friend of Tripathi, said Tripathi prioritizes her time in order to balance her commitments.
“She told me it is really challenging (as a) full-time student (but) she is someone who manages her time very well because (when) she wants to do it, she’s going to do everything in her power to accomplish it,” Chao said.
Harris Qureshi, a management information systems junior and Tripathi’s boyfriend, said he believes her content stands out for its authenticity.
“She’s very good at … being real to the camera,” Qureshi said. “I think that has helped her gain such a big following because so many of her followers see part of themselves in her.”
Chao said @yourstudentsupporter goes beyond offering tips to students by giving them actionable advice.
“She always seems to go about (her educational content) from a personal growth sort of perspective,” Chao said. “It’s not just about school advice (or) work, (but how) your well-being encompasses you as a whole person.”
Tripathi said she hopes her followers realize their potential, especially for students and early career professionals.
“There are so many opportunities out there — I’m sharing them because sometimes these are gatekept,” Tripathi said. “If you like something and you don’t see an opportunity for it, create one! It’s all about creating, doing your best and reaching your fullest potential.”
