The days of quiet quitting are over. Gen Z is navigating today's tough job market with side gigs.
Why it matters: Over half of Gen Z (57%) now have a side gig, compared to 21% of boomers and older, according to The Harris Poll, which dubbed them "America's first true 'side hustle' generation."
The big picture: Younger people "want to work [and] find success, but many of them just feel disillusioned with the opportunities to get there through the traditional career ladder," Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao tells Axios.
Between the lines: Most are picking up side hustles, from retail to gig work, for extra cash as economic uncertainty grows, Zhao says.
- Some are chasing creative or entrepreneurial goals. "For Gen Z, the day job funds the passion project," Glassdoor researchers wrote in an August report.
- Meanwhile, AI and other tech advances have made it easier for professionals to monetize their skills and passions.
State of play: Workers feel anxious right now. Recent graduates are struggling to secure jobs, while those with them aren't seeing the career growth they expect, Zhao says.
- College students' financial optimism has fallen to the lowest level since tracking began in 2018 — largely due to concerns about unemployment and "AI-induced layoffs," Morning Consult survey data shows.
What we're hearing: "It definitely makes me feel more financially secure," says Katie Arce, who works full time in e-commerce and picks up shifts at a vintage clothing store in Austin, Texas.
- "I've always been passionate about vintage clothing," the 24-year-old tells Axios.
- At the store, she consigns her own clothes and shops with a discount.
Reality check: Plenty of younger people still aspire to climb the corporate ranks.
- The share of Gen Z entering management is similar to previous generations when they were the same age, a 2024 Glassdoor analysis found.
The bottom line: Young adults are "redefining success by prioritizing independence, flexibility and purpose alongside ambition," Citizens Bank's Chris Powell tells Axios.
- Two-thirds of adults under 34 have "pursued an entrepreneurial venture," including nearly a quarter doing work outside their primary job, Citizens research shows.
