Disillusioned with the 9-5 corporate job, Gen Z have taken their future into their own hands by creating side hustles in order to shape their own career paths.
As living expenses increase, many young workers have been looking into having multiple jobs in order to procure various steams of income. From drop-shipping to selling vintage clothing, Amazon reselling to investing crypto, Gen Z are cranking the hustle game to 100 in the midst of an uncertain economy and precarious job market.
According to a report conducted by In On Africa and The Choice Architects with a focus on the low to middle income market in South Africa, many of the respondents claimed to have some sort of side hustle. Up to 27% of the 3000 respondents were young people. Furthermore, having more time to work on a side hustle was also a prominent answer in the open-ended questions about what respondents would like to change about how they spend their time.
Although many employees have started their own side hustles, it is Gen Z that is really spearheading the growing movement.
With the primary reason to having a side hustle being economical, with many Gen Z and millennials stating that they live from paycheck to paycheck. Another reason why they seek extra work is increased job satisfaction.
No longer satisfied with just one job, Gen Zer’s are seeking satisfaction through having multiple work options. Shola West, a 22 year old who works for an advertising firm and a freelancing consultant, claims that she never saw herself doing only one job, often feeling restless due to low stimulation.
Whether it be to make some extra cash or finding ways to keep preoccupied, Gen Z will hustle.
Also see: 6 Ways to reduce your living costs in South Africa in 2023
