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Each generation has its marker in the world of work. Professionals of each era are very different in their career goals and how they prepare for difficult times.
For young professionals, in 2023, this translates into the desire to work completely independently: 64% of Americans under 35, for example, would already work freelance or plan to do so.
According to a survey on unconventional jobs by Collective, these members of Generation Z and younger Millennials are twice as likely to freelance as adults over 35. Only 31% of adults over 35 freelance or plan to do so at some point in their career.
Dreams of independence and personal fulfillment
If we look at how the creator economy has grown over the past twenty years, while Generation Z and many younger Millennials were growing up, this result is not that surprising.
In my experience, discussing career paths with the younger generation of workers and students sparks dreams of self-employment and professional fulfillment. Young professionals do not have the same role models as our parents.
For Gen Z and younger Millennials, “career success” means not having to work more than 40 hours a week while earning enough money to maintain a certain lifestyle.
A better prepared generation
In addition to having different career aspirations from their elders, Generation Z and young Millennials are also better prepared to take on the biggest challenges of their careers. 59% already have a backup plan in the event of dismissal, compared to only 30% of older workers.
“Young professionals have a backup plan because they can “AI and online platforms are driving a boom in entrepreneurship and enabling a freelancer to accomplish more than ever before, while improving their work-life balance and mental health,” explains Hooman Radfar, CEO and co-founder of Collective. “They no longer have to rely on companies to provide security if they don’t want to – the next generation can rely on themselves. »
Compared to those over 35, young adults are also more likely to save for redundancy and turn their hobby or side hustle into a career.
And according to Collective, 88% of freelancers say they have seen an improvement in their mental health since leaving their full-time paid job.
Source: ZDNet.com