Hugely popular webcam site Cam4 recently revealed that their amount of coed users is increasing, with more and more students “camming” in order to financially support themselves through college. With the current economy making it notoriously difficult for students to find work, and those that are available being low-paid and often soul-destroying
With so many coeds using camming as a medium to pay their way through secondary education, we thought we’d investigate into this expanding trend. We spoke two cam girls, “Foxy_C,” a young French student, and “Curvy Cara,” a mature undergrad student, about their thoughts on the profession.
Foxy_C
CRAVE ONLINE: How did you first get into camming?
Foxy_C: I saw an advertisement for CAM4 on TV. I had no idea such a thing existed. I took a look at the site, and then again, and again… until I finally decide to cam myself.
What kind of process goes into becoming a cam girl?
I just had to register and show my ID to prove I was legal. It was really quick, but it took me a while to gain the confidence to broadcast.
What made you take the plunge into camming to pay for your education? Were you nervous about doing it?
At first, I was very nervous. I wasn’t that confident about my body. But I thought that it could be a fun experience, and so did my boyfriend. I just wanted to try it out, especially because I’m kind of shy in real life… It was a challenge. I didn’t really think about the money in the beginning because I wasn’t even sure I could earn any!
Do people at school know that you cam?
Some close friends knows. But the rest of the world doesn’t :p I don’t think they would understand, even if I know I’m not doing anything “wrong.”
As you’re studying Graphic and Web Design, could you see yourself staying in the webcam business after you’ve finished your education, perhaps working behind the scenes?
I have no idea. It all depends on how much free time I’ll have. If I have time, I will. I’m really hooked on the camming community.
I make people happy, and they make me happy. So it’s a good deal.
Do you believe that if there were more job options available to young people, less would go into the camming?
Maybe… I dont really know. I think you really must like it to succeed; not everyone can do it. It sounds like camming is wrong, and I don’t think it is. I make people happy, and they make me happy. It’s a good deal.
What are the best perks of the job?
You can “work” from home, choose when you want to cam, and sometimes make a lot of money. It depends of the day.. and there’s a great community behind it. I’ve made some great friends!
I spoke to a cam performer in the past who stated the process of camming was very tiring. Have you found this to be the case, and if so, has it had a negative impact on your studies at all?
Of course it’s tiring, but not more than any other job. Do you know another job where you can lie on your bed most of the time? But yes, it can be tiring because you need to be able to chat and answer to people, and there’s a lot of things to do off cam, like working on social media, preparing shows… But my studies are more important, so I cam a lot when I don’t have a lot of classes or during hollidays, and less when I have a lot of homework. You need to find a balance between these two “lives”.
Would you recommend camming to other students looking to make a living in college?
Personally, I love it now. It really improved my self esteem , and I feel stronger in every situations now. I live in France, so college is free, and so camming helps me to pay my rent, and get a little extra money. But to compare with what you can get with a “normal” job, I make less hours and get more money, so that’s really great for me. But you need to be prepared if someone recognizes you… It can hurt.
I do my best to protect my personal life, and never give my identity.
Do you think your future job options will be hindered by your profession?
I don’t think so. I do my best to protect my personal life, and never give my identity. So, the only chance is that someone who saw me on cam would interview me… And honestly, I’m not sure they would tell me if they did. As long as no one knows your real name, I think you’re safe.
Curvy Cara
CRAVE ONLINE: How did you first get into camming?
Curvy Cara: I first started camming as an amateur a few years ago. I just wanted to explore my sexuality and my body, and chat with other folks doing the same thing, in a fun way. I loved it so much that I never stopped!
Does anyone at school know that you cam?
No! I attend school online, so it’s pretty easy to just skip all that sort of chatter. I do, however, talk about being involved in the “alternative lifestyle” community.
I can schedule [camming] around my school work and never have to worry about being late.
Do you find that there’s a difference between what you earn and what other students earn who aren’t camming?
Most of my fellow online students are just like me – a little older and in the middle of a career/life change. So, there are a lot of different incomes out there!
What are the benefits of camming over working at Starbucks or a retail store?
Freedom, freedom, freedom! I love that camming lets me earn a living on my own schedule. I can schedule shows around my school work and never have to worry about being late or needing to take a day off to work on an assignment.
Do you feel that a lot of young people are camming as income during college? Could it be a sign that employment is an issue for younger people?
I think employment is an issue for almost everyone these days. I see a lot of younger women on cam, and can appreciate their decision to earn a living or pay for their education in a safe and flexible way.
What happens on the internet stays on the internet, you know?
What job do you hope to get after you finish your education?
I love helping others create the relationships of their dreams! So, I hope to become a counsellor for those who may feel nervous about being judged by the mental health system – those who practice responsible non-monogamy, hold non-traditional beliefs about gender roles, and who incorporate consensual power exchange into their relationships.
How would you respond to someone if they said that camming may impact your ability to get a job after you’ve finished college?
I’d say that they were right! What happens on the internet stays on the internet, you know? I might hesitate to cam if I were thinking about creating a career that didn’t involve reducing the stigma against “fringe” sexual practices. But, my experience as a camgirl, and as a poly kinkster, only adds to my ability to understand and help the community that I live and work in!
Photo: Getty Images
