For decades, the American perception of “work” revolved around going to a fixed job site, clocking in at a certain time, taking lunch breaks, and then clocking out at the end of the day. This traditional approach to employment likewise requires a daily commute with employees operating on set schedules.
However, as the world changes, so are individual approaches to gainful jobs and careers. Many Americans, especially young people, seek flexibility and work-life balance. The slog of having to drive to and from an office every day has also become increasingly unappealing.
Rising interest in another way now drives the ongoing growth of the gig economy and freelance market. Tracking this growth is the Upwork Research Institute, which has some very interesting findings.
Out with the old, in with the new
Just last year, 53% of Gen Z Americans engaged in freelance work. This generation currently leads with the highest amount of eligible people entering the workforce. As it turns out, the flexibility and autonomy that freelancing provides is hard to resist.
