Elsa Angel Rose
Given any moment or time, Gen Z is ready to choose gigs over a corporate grind. Though as beautiful and effortless as this sounds, it is not all sunshine and roses. Everyone wants to be in the gig industry, as the work conditions look appealing and, to some extent, even tantalising, but cultivating the kind of self-discipline, time management, and professional communication skills does not look or feel as appealing. Experts and amateurs alike have started to believe, and even argue and assert, that the gig economy and gig work are the future.
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YOUNG ADULTS DRAWN TOWARD THE GIG ECONOMY
Young adults who are looking to get into the workforce this year are also keen on working in the gig economy. “I’d prefer to choose freelancing and gig work, as I’d have more control over the kind of work I do and would be able to work on my own terms and at my own comfort. This comfort wouldn’t be there at a 9-5 job,” shared Shane Frank Remedios, a young student from Cumbharjua. He was also keen on emphasising how the times have changed, and in these changed times, being in the gig economy benefits a person more than endlessly spending time at an organisation. Shane noted, “A few decades earlier, one would prefer the corporate 9-5 rat race as it gave stability to the households, and that was the need of the time. Now most households are comfortable allowing people to favour gig work or have an entrepreneurial mindset.”
9-5 IS STILL LOVED, DEFINITELY NOT FULLY OUTDATED
“What appeals to me the most about a corporate job is the organised and growth-oriented environment it provides. The corporate setup also encourages teamwork, continuous learning, and exposure to multiple departments, which helps me develop professionally with consistency and purpose,” said Roshni Khatun from Colva, who is employed in corporate. Stable monthly income, f inancial stability, exposure to learn structured processes, teamwork, and access to employee benefits are some of the most sought-after benefits that a corporate life offers. Roshni shared, “Although freelancing offers f lexibility, I prefer the stability and long-term growth that corporate roles provide. A 9–5 job gives me a steady routine.” Being a corporate job lover, Roshni said, “Work pressure, meeting targets, deadlines set by somebody else can be demanding. She added, “Some tasks may feel repetitive, and there is also a potential for workplace politics.”
GIG WORK OVER A TRADITIONAL 9–5 ANY DAY
“I chose gig work because I wanted the kind of freedom and flexibility that a corporate setup couldn’t give me. I enjoy being able to manage my own time, work on projects that genuinely excite me, and have control over the direction of my career. The idea of building something of my own felt more fulfilling than following a strict 9–5 routine,” said Rhea D’souza, a gig worker. To be precise, Rhea is a content creator, baker and fashion model. People who are interested in gig work eye at the flexibility it offers, the creative freedom, eventual high earning potential, and work-life balance. Rhea explained, “You get to control your schedule and workload. You get to choose projects that align with your interests. You get to learn a bit of everything, marketing, planning, communication, time management.” If you are really dedicated and good at what you do, then this is one of the best options to earn more. Rhea said, “Some months can be immensely lucrative depending on the volume and quality of gigs.” Unlike a corporate job, in gig work, there is no one directly supervising your work, its quality, quantity, progress and more. It’s all within your control to deliver good work to clients. So, if one has immense self-discipline, a good network, and is opportunistic, then the gig economy will mint gold. If it is the other way around, then you are in a tough spot. Rhea explained, “Income isn’t always consistent; some months you get comparatively more, while other months you earn very low income. There are no fixed benefits, such as PF, insurance, paid leave, or job security, that a corporate role offers. Client payments can be delayed and often require follow-up. With no one supervising your work, you must manage your time effectively, and handling multiple gigs at once can become overwhelming, making it difficult to fully switch off.” Jessica Vaz, a freelance graphic designer, has worked in both corporate and freelance setups, from Porvorim. She shared, “While freelancing does give you some freedom, the pay isn’t as timely or as adequate depending on the project as compared to a corporate job.” On a question regarding whether gig work will be the future of work, she said, “I would say yes, mainly because I know a lot of my peers would rather not have the issue and expense of relocating for a job or similar troubles. One might have to do around 3-5 projects at the same time to earn the same as a 9-5 job.
