Leveraging Your Skills in the Booming Gig Economy
Over the past few years, the gig economy has grown, and it is expected to see even more growth in the future. In fact, it is predicted that by 2027, there will be more people working “gig” jobs than non-gig jobs.
For a lot of Gen-Z students who are about to graduate college, this is good news. Working in a gig-economy can mean flexible work hours, being your own boss, and leveraging your strengths to do something you’re good at and passionate about. It can provide multiple streams of income, let you work remotely and therefore travel, and give you exposure to different industries.
What Jobs Can I Get in the Gig Economy?
There is a wide variety of gigs you can pick up nowadays! You can do anything from being a delivery driver to tech development. In an age of online ordering, grocery shopping is a great way to make some extra cash. Consulting is a fun way to use your expertise to your advantage. Freelance ensures you’re always working on an exciting new project. Whether you want to do freelance marketing, app development, or writing, there’s definitely something out there for you.
Skilled with a camera? Many companies need photographers or videographers for their websites. Are you a quick typer? Being a transcriptionist is an easy way to make a few extra bucks. Artistic? Become a graphic or UX designer.
What If I’m Not Skilled in the Area I Want to Work In?
Say my degree is in psychology, but I’m really interested in building apps. Or I want to become a freelance marketer, but I don’t have a college degree. Never fear! With the growing opportunity of side hustles comes a wider variety of ways to learn new skills. A ton of online courses can help you get certified in whatever you’re interested in. Udemy offers a ton of different classes, ranging from web development to data science. Many colleges will offer online classes in one specific area that you’re interested that don’t take up a whole semester. The nice thing about these classes is that they are usually self-paced, meaning you can work on them whenever is most convenient to you.
Forge also offers a wide range of classes, from UX design to marketing to data science, that make you a valuable asset in the gig economy.
How Much Money Can I Really Make in the Gig Economy?
Depending on where you live, whether you have children, and what skills you have, your streams of income will vary. But on average, gig economy workers do pretty well. The gig economy contributes to over $1 trillion in the US economy (or over 5% of the national GDP). Freelancers typically make more per hour than a usual job pays (about 21/hr as opposed to about 16/hr). A skilled worker, like a freelance writer, can make between $100 and $2000 for each piece of content posted. If you have multiple gigs going on at once, it’s even more lucrative.
How Do I Make Myself Stand Out?
Ok, so if everyone is becoming a freelance worker, how do you make yourself stand out?
- Find your niche
Being a “freelance fashion writer” can find you more opportunities than simply being a “freelance writer.” Find something you’re interested in and stick to it. - Research what people need
Companies’ needs are not static. Before you decide what you want to do, determine what jobs are in demand right now. - Build a portfolio
You won’t be successful right away. Build a portfolio of past projects that showcase your skills. - Brand yourself
You are selling your specific skillsets and expertise, so you should brand yourself accordingly! Treat yourself like the asset you are and use your skills to your advantage.
The gig economy might not be for everyone. Some people prefer the security of a salaried job, and that’s okay! But gigs are a great way to bring some flexibility and fun into your work. Determine if being an independent worker is right for you by doing some research and thinking about what skills you bring to the table! Most importantly, be confident in whatever you do.
