How students contribute to economic growth through digital marketing

Undergraduate students in Bangladesh used private tuition or part-time jobs to pay for their higher education. Technology changed this. Many university students use their breaks to work in the global digital economy. They use digital marketing tools to pay for personal and academic costs. Their work brings foreign currency and helps national remittance.
Many students from public and private universities like the University of Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University work as freelance digital marketers while studying. Instead of traditional tutoring jobs, they work for international brands from home or dorms. Fields like Social Media Marketing (SMM), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content creation, and performance marketing are main income sources for these students. Data shows that skilled student freelancers earn US$ 500 to US$ 3,000 per month. This depends on their skills and contracts with international marketplaces or remote agencies. Many students also earn Tk 15,000 to Tk 30,000 monthly by running marketing campaigns for local e-commerce businesses and startups.
Taifun Nahar Eity is a third-year sociology student at the University of Dhaka. She started her career in technology in her first year. She shared her experience and she said that , "I took an online IT course after joining university. I got my first social media manager job through a university group in my first year. Then, I used this experience to get similar jobs on four more online platforms."
Eity used her earnings to start a small business. She uses her digital marketing skills to pay for her personal expenses. She works alone and stays financially stable. Her path to independence inspires many students on campus.
A similar trend is seen in universities outside the capital. Tanvir Rahman, a student at Rajshahi University, works in Local Search Engine Optimization (Local SEO). He helps small European businesses improve their Google rankings. Tanvir said, "This freelance work takes less time than private tutoring. I can do my tasks when I want. It does not affect my studies; it helps me build my technical skills."
Money earned from student freelancing helps more than just the students. It affects the whole economy. Bangladesh is the second-largest supplier of online labour in the world. Data from Upwork and the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) confirms this.
In the fiscal year 2025-26, freelancers brought in over US$ 500 million in foreign currency to the country. This income supports the national foreign exchange reserves and lowers the country's dependence on the ready-made garments (RMG) sector.
Unemployment among educated youths is a significant challenge in Bangladesh. The growth of the digital marketing sector provides a potential solution. Students generate employment opportunities before graduation with minimal capital investment. The main requirements are technical skills, a computer, and internet access.
The expansion of digital services reduces the demand for formal jobs. It also decreases psychological stress among graduates. Instead of seeking corporate employment after graduation, many individuals establish independent digital agencies.
The Bangladesh government wants to become a US$ 1.0 trillion economy by 2034. The plan focuses on information technology and freelancing. To help young people, the national budget does not charge tax on money earned from IT freelancing, digital content, and online services.
Also, value-added tax (VAT) is not charged on new startups.
The digital marketing sector has problems. Students in rural areas do not have fast and cheap internet. Students in regional universities do not get enough help and advice.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing digital marketing. Students need to learn new skills like data study and planning to keep up.
Experts say universities in Bangladesh should change their courses. Also, money transfer from services like Payoneer to local banks should be made easy. This will stop delays and problems.
Students working in technology show that young people can help the country grow as a smart economy. The government must give clear plans, good training, and strong rules to help this.
Mst Ashura Khatun is a student of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka.

ashurakhatun23@gmail.com