"Pouring Passion Into Side Jobs Over Main Careers"... Generation Z Is Changing the Rules of Work [World Z Gold]

"Real Passion Begins After Work"
Generation Z Prioritizes Side Jobs Over Promotions
Some Millennials and Gen Z
Pursue Side Jobs to Prepare for Startups or Career Changes

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is gaining attention as a generation that leads culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, setting new standards across society. In [World is Z Gold], we shed light on the lives and values of Generation Z around the globe and examine how they are transforming society.

The number of office workers, especially among Generation Z in the United States, who are choosing side jobs is increasing. In the past, economic reasons such as covering living expenses were the main motivation, but recently, more people are pursuing side jobs for self-fulfillment. Many are connecting their favorite hobbies to income-generating activities or seeking the sense of achievement from side jobs that they previously sought through promotions.

Google Gemini generated image.

"Real Passion Begins After Work"... Generation Z Prioritizes Side Jobs

Recently, the U.S. business magazine Fortune cited a report from the job search platform Glassdoor, reporting that "Generation Z is changing the rules of work and redefining the meaning of 'success'." The article continued, "Young workers view their jobs as a means of financial stability, while their true passion and ambition are invested in after-work hours or side jobs."

As the perception of jobs as mere means of livelihood spreads, the desire for promotion is not what it used to be. In a survey conducted by Glassdoor of about 1,000 U.S. office workers, 68% of Generation Z respondents said, "If there is no increase in salary or title, I would not pursue a management position." This reflects the modern tendency to value work-life balance, in contrast to the past when receiving a high salary through promotion was considered a success. Daniel Zhao, Chief Economist at Glassdoor, explained, "Generation Z is redefining what success at work means," adding, "They have not abandoned ambition, but are shifting toward sustainable careers where they can pursue both financial stability and personal fulfillment."

The number of young office workers choosing side jobs is increasing. Photo by Pixabay

The tendency to seek achievement through side jobs or personal activities, rather than promotion, is also clear. According to the U.S. polling agency Harris Poll, 57% of Generation Z are engaged in side jobs. This is higher than Millennials (48%), Generation X (31%), and Baby Boomers (21%). Fortune commented, "For them, their main job is simply a means to cover living expenses, while self-fulfillment is sought through side jobs."

The attitude of Generation Z, who pour more passion into side jobs than their main jobs, is closely related to the reality of widespread artificial intelligence (AI), mass layoffs, and burnout becoming commonplace. In an uncertain job market, side jobs are chosen as a strategy to secure both stability and self-development. In the same Glassdoor survey, 70% of Generation Z respondents said that "the introduction of AI has made them question job security."

Some Millennials & Gen Z Choose Side Jobs to Prepare for Startups or Job Changes

Pixabay

This trend is also appearing in South Korea. According to the "Ordinary People’s Financial Life Report" released last year by Shinhan Bank, the biggest reason office workers choose side jobs is economic factors such as living expenses and preparing for retirement (61.9%). However, 36.4% also responded that they take on side jobs to prepare for starting a business, changing jobs, or strengthening their main job skills.

In particular, among Millennials & Gen Z, 34.2% said they take on side jobs to prepare for starting a business or changing jobs, which is about 10 percentage points higher than Generation X and Baby Boomers (24.0%). This shows that the younger generation is using side jobs not just as a means of livelihood but as a strategic choice to prepare for the future.

The forms of side jobs are also diversifying. In the past, most side jobs were simple labor such as substitute driving or service part-time jobs to supplement living expenses. Recently, however, activities using digital platforms are spreading rapidly. Earning income through blogging, running online shops such as Smart Store, and selling e-books and online lectures are representative examples.

As the scope of side jobs expands, the market size is also expected to continue growing. According to global market research firm Business Research Insight, the global gig economy market is expected to reach 582.2 billion dollars this year and expand to 2.1784 trillion dollars by 2034. The average annual growth rate is about 16%.