What I’m Doing This Summer: Kaitlyn Edejer ’26

What are you doing this summer?

Working full-time as a fashion and lifestyle content creator on social media, mainly Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube. I’m self-employed. Brands send me clothes, accessories, and shoes and I do everything from photos to videos to giveaways.

Are you an influencer?

Yes, I’m an influencer, but I prefer to call myself a content creator. Influencers have a reputation or a stereotype. They’re seen as rich people who get paid to promote brands they may not care about and products that they don’t even use. I’m not rich and I only promote brands that I like. Also, I don’t always promote brands. Most of my social posts are unpaid. My goal is to inspire other girls and women to embrace their bodies, souls, minds, and lives with confidence. I just want to connect with people and spread positivity. The paid posts are like ads in a magazine. They enable me to pay the bills doing what I love.

Which brands have you worked with?

Nike, Lululemon, Keurig, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Skims — and Pottery Barn. Last fall they made over my dorm room in Toler (residence hall).

Have you ever refused to work with a brand?

Yes. I said no to Shein fast fashion. They sell designer knockoffs made in factories that may not treat workers well.

How do you find brands to work with?

Brands approach me. I used to approach them, but now they find me. The day Nike approached me is the day I knew I’d turned a corner. I was surprised and excited and grateful. Just the other day I signed with a talent agency; they’re going to handle inquiries from now on.

What’s your major?

Advertising, with a minor in public relations. Graduating in May 2026. I just finished my first year at USF but I came in with a lot of international baccalaureate transfer credits, so I’m on track to graduate in three years.

Why USF?

I actually was planning to go to Pace University in New York, but I didn’t feel like New York was the right vibe for me. And I really love San Francisco; I grew up in the Bay Area. So USF actually had one day left to apply, and I applied and I got in. And then I came and toured the campus, and when I stepped on the campus it literally felt like a home away from home. I honestly love how small the community is at USF. I thought I would want a big college campus, but USF really just ticks all of the boxes for me and I’ve been able to find some really fun outlets here. I’m on the spirit squad and in a sorority: Delta Zeta. I love the community at USF. I love the city atmosphere. It feels like home.

Any classes at USF help you in your work?

All of my classes help in my work and in my life, but two in particular have helped me in my work. In a strategy and writing class with Julia Kirkland, I learned about the brand side of advertising. It’s super cool to learn about working on the brand side with other creators rather than me being the one creator working with a brand. And in Persuasion and Advertising class with Marthinus JC van Loggerenberg, we studied Robert Cialdini’s six principles of influence. I was intrigued by that, because at the end of the day I’m an influencer.

Will you continue to do this content creation work after the summer?

Yes! I have so much confidence and belief and ambition in myself to take this content creation as far as it can go. I’m still a micro influencer. I’m still pretty small. But I would love to do this work until I’m a mom and until I’m a grandma, if that’s even possible, because I think it’s such an amazing career. I get to wake up every day and create this bright corner of social media. I’m changing the world from my phone.