The Gig Economy
Freelancers have grown to make up 34% of the total workforce in the United States by some measures, and there are no signs that this will slow down. Technological advances have made it easier than ever to freelance or “gig.” Take the popularity of platforms like Lyft and Upwork. Both of these platforms allow individuals to take on work on a gig-by-gig basis.
The traditional 9 to 5 job is quickly disappearing for a couple of reasons:
- When millennials began entering the workforce, they had higher expectations for work/life balance than their predecessors. Millennials tend to value time with family, freedom to travel and putting their expertise to use for charitable causes, and this doesn’t mesh well with the traditional jobs that their parents held.
- Companies came to prefer flexible work arrangements and freelancers because it is a more cost-effective way to do business. Hiring an employee is kind of like getting married. You have to jump through a lot of legal hoops to get rid of an employee if it doesn’t work out. So hiring people on a gig-by-gig basis is a much better deal for companies. They also do not incur the additional costs of office space, healthcare and training.
The Reality
Today it is tougher than ever to move into a full-time position after college as companies have come to prefer the gig economy. So how does this translate for high school seniors and new college students trying to decide what to study and which major to pick?
Stephen Blinder, a hig
h school senior from Connecticut is an example of the direction young people are taking today. “The economy is no longer as dependent on large corporations as it is on creative startups such as Uber or Amazon, which utilize technology and an explosion of information,” says Blinder. Blinder says he plans to take a gap year before attending college to fully get a grasp on what kind of jobs would bring him success in today’s economy. Like many high school seniors, he is very aware that the job market is not what it was when his parents were entering the workforce.
The wave and popularity of the gig economy do not necessarily mean that you will never get a full-time job if that’s what you want. However, it does mean that you might have to start out in part-time, contract or freelance work when you first enter the workforce. It also means you have to think differently about how to approach your major course of study.
Here are a few things to think about when choosing a major in the gig economy:
- Is it scalable?
With all of this in mind, it’s a good idea to think of your college major in terms of what will be scalable in the future; just like you would with a business. Think about how you can use your own personal talents and traits to grow with your major. Ask yourself, “Is this a major I can develop my skills in the workforce, or will I feel stuck in the same position if I take a job in this industry?” A major that is multifaceted will give you options when it comes to marketing yourself. For example, an English major can scale that expertise into a content creation gig; offering clients a variety of services like blog writing, editing and writing for search engine optimization (SEO). In a gig economy, you have to look at all of the possibilities for a potential major. Amber James, a former academic advisor at Texas A&M Commerce and Louisiana State University, says that the gig economy is leading a larger number of students to look into fields that will give them a set of skills that enable them to find employment and/or branch out into self-employment in this type of economy.
- What is my dream career and how can this major get me there?
Students often choose majors based on what they think will be marketable to employers, not what they truly enjoy. Of course, you have to think about what your interests are and what you will be happy doing. But you also need to make money in the meantime, so looking at options for freelance work using that line of expertise will help you earn income and develop additional skills until you obtain your dream job.
- Is there such a thing as job stability?
Well, not really. No one is ever really secure in a job, anything can happen, especially in today’s economy. Embracing the gig economy can help you get over this hurdle though, should you become unemployed at some point. What sorts of skillsets will you come out of college with if you choose xyz major? Can you market those skills on a gig-by-gig basis?
Nicole Kimball, an Inbound Sales representative at Zello, and recent 
graduate of the University of Texas says, “Things are so much more flexible now. Employers want you to have a grasp of more than one vertical.” The gig economy has spurred this need for flexibility and definition of more than one skillset. Moving easily from one vertical to another can make a big difference in your employment prospects.
- Is your major actually going to give you practical tools and experience you need to succeed?
Many majors consist of a lot of theory with intriguing case studies from academic journals, which would be fine if you were stepping into a job at a company that offers onboarding and training. This is not helpful in the gig economy. Most clients want to see that you can actually do the work, not just talk about it. To make yourself competitive in the gig economy, you will probably have to take some additional practical courses that give you an opportunity to create work samples or a portfolio.
The positive side of the gig economy is that it is easier than ever to try things out while you are still in college. So many businesses are willing to hire on a project basis, making it simple to try a few different skill sets and determine if a major is right for you.
Lindsay Dixon Garcia, M.A. is a former public school teacher and adjunct college professor. Lindsay now teaches with the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University and works as a freelance writer and editor. She writes about education, career planning, and technology. You can check out her blog at www.lindsaydixongarcia.com or get updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lindsaydixongarcia/
