Gen Z’s demand for work-life balance is pushing the gig economy further. While side hustles aren’t new, Gen Z is redefining them, with Business Insider reporting over half of young professionals opted for freelance work over traditional 9-to-5 jobs in 2023. YPulse data shows 35% of 18-24-year-olds are working full-time in 2025—with fewer (28%) working part time, likely while many are also in school. But even when they look forward, YPulse data shows 69% of 18-24-year-olds say work-life balance is extremely important in their career. To achieve this, some prefer short-term, skill-building roles over long-term commitments. Experts say Gen Z is less interested in climbing the corporate ladder and more focused on gaining diverse experiences, developing skills, and chasing impact over job titles. As a result, businesses that want to attract and retain Gen Z talent are being urged to offer contract work, rotational teams, and personalized benefits to keep up with the new workplace mindset. (Business Insider)
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