A straightforward ascent up the professional ladder is, for most, a thing of the past. Jess Stuart has tips on how to stay afloat and keep up your income stream.
It’s not just hybrid working and constant restructures. With side hustles, start ups and the gig economy the world of work has changed beyond recognition.
For my parents and most people over 60, it wasn’t particularly common to switch careers. For many, a job was a sense of security and a way of providing for the family. Though there were recessions and times when jobs were scarce, the goal was generally to hold on to a job for life, sometimes spending an entire career at the same company, or at least switching companies to do the same job or similar elsewhere. Nothing could be more different these days.
The changing ways we approach our careers
Jess Stuart says the younger generation is leveraging the gig economy and side hustles, rather than staying in one career. (Source: Breakfast)
I’d had more jobs by the time I was 30 than either of my parents had in their entire careers, some of those were part time and then I started my own business as a career coach and author, a category they’d never heard of and certainly didn’t consider a stable “career”. I also didn’t stick to one job at a time. I was writing my first book first thing in the mornings before heading off to my Human Resources contract job to pay my bills.
Even since I entered the workforce, almost 20 years ago, things have changed dramatically.
Our sense of security has shifted in such an uncertain world. University degrees are not the golden ticket to employment they once were. It’s no longer as simple as saving for a house with your earnings or planning for your retirement with super – the economic climate has changed our options today and so it makes sense that it has impacted habits and attitudes too.
Even when people do stick to one role, the rules have changed. The traditional, standard nine-to-five hours spent at an office or other single place of work is becoming more rare with the rise of hybrid working, flexible hours and multi-national teams.
Polygamous workers, the gig economy and side hustles
Now we’ve got social media influencers making money in their PJs, and leveraging AI. Polygamous workers with multiple jobs making passive incomes and leveraging work-from-home culture. Whether it’s putting the sleep out on Airbnb, selling homemade candles at your local market or using the latest AI tool to translate for overseas clients. Many are now supplementing their income or providing themselves with a safety net in case of an unexpected redundancy.
My Uber driver on the way to the airport this morning, Mo, starts his mornings driving for Uber before heading to his full-time job at a local bakery. “It’s a hustle, but it gives me breathing room,” he says. “The bakery job covers the basics, but Uber helps with the extras, like saving for a house. I like the flexibility,” he says.
Sione works full-time in financial services but runs a side business creating niche travel content on TikTok and YouTube. “I started it as a creative outlet, but it’s become a second income stream,” he explains. “I like having options, it gives me a sense of security, especially with restructures happening so often.”
It’s not always a financial necessity though, sometimes it’s personal preference too and this is a shift we’ve seen happen in the last decade.
Lara left her corporate design job in the wake of the pandemic after reassessing her priorities. Now, she combines freelance branding work with dog walking in her local North Shore neighbourhood. She says, “I earn less overall, but I have more time, more control, and more joy in my day. I choose who I work with, and I get to be outside.”
Purpose over payslips
In the wake of COVID-19, closed borders and work-from-home mandates created space for reflection. Many of us asked deeper questions about our working lives: Does this job give me meaning? Do I feel valued? Am I spending my time in a way that matters?
It’s led to a move to purpose over payslips. To see the value and impact in what we do each day not to just working for money without any meaning. Post pandemic we see a shift in workers valuing fulfilment and work that aligns with their ethics and passions.
For so long, we’ve talked about this quest for work/life balance, and yet it’s seemed elusive for many. We’re seeing a shift towards work/life integration now, with people seeking jobs that align with personal values and lifestyles. Flexibility is no longer a perk but an expectation and there’s more than money to motivate us, especially for younger generations.
I say, good on them. The bottom line is jobs just aren’t as secure as they used to be, so we should expect our attitudes towards how we pursue our career to change, and they are.
Flexibility is key because the generation entering the workforce have grown up with the knowledge that jobs aren’t for life. Being able to work multiple jobs, pivot to market changes, use our skills in new and innovative ways, provide variety and opportunity all while flexing our creative muscles and feeling a sense of purpose – this is the new way of work.
Top tips for thriving in the new world of work
1. Embrace lifelong learning
Don’t rely on one qualification or role to see you through. Upskill regularly and stay curious. AI may not replace you, but someone who can use it well might.
2. Diversify your income streams
Whether it’s a side hustle, freelance gig, or investing in skills that allow you to consult, having multiple options creates financial security in an unstable job market.
3. Prioritise purpose, not just pay
Seek work that aligns with your values and lifestyle. A job that fits you well brings more satisfaction than one that only pays the bills.
4. Think like a freelancer, even in full-time work
Build your personal brand, network, and digital presence. Be ready to pivot or reinvent yourself when the market shifts.
5. Stay flexible and open to change
The career path is no longer linear. Adaptability is your superpower, try new things, take calculated risks, and don’t be afraid to redefine success.
With a background in HR, Jess Stuart is now a Waiheke-based career coach and the author of several books including: Burnout to Brilliance and I Love Mondays.
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