New study shows millennials, Gen Z’ers prefer to “polywork”

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The pandemic has affected many things, including the way millennials and Gen Z’ers are now opting to “polywork.” That’s when someone chooses to have multiple part-time jobs instead of one full-time job.

“Especially after being in quarantine, people are more eager to get out there and do different things. So it’s like they went to the other side of the spectrum and do everything,” Mia Salaveria of Panama City Beach said.

A study done by social network “Polywork” shows more than 70% say the pandemic has accelerated the “multiple job” trend. The same data says nearly two-thirds, or 64%, of young professionals now “polywork.”

“I do it because I like being busy,” local Alexia Good said.

Alexia said she currently has two part-time jobs and had to drop her third. As a Gen Z’er, Alexia’s reason for preferring part-time over full-time is because she’s still a student.

“So being able to have flexible bosses, like Lori and John here, they’re wonderful and comply to my schedule,” said Alexia.

Mia has three part-time jobs, also working at Coastal Casuals.

“It’s a lot of balancing out and figuring out what’s the priority at that moment in time,” said Mia.

Mia said she works three part-time jobs to avoid the burnout of working a single full-time job.

“Because I feel like when you’ve got one, you’ve got to be completely in that, but it’s good to switch it up,” said Mia.

While nearly half of the people admit they wouldn’t do one type of work for life anymore, that’s not the case for everyone.

“Eventually I feel like I’ll get more focused and I’ll know exactly what I’ll want to do. But for now, I feel like having multiple jobs is the way to go,” said Mia.

Alexia said when school starts back, she also plans to get one full-time job.

“I will have to limit my job because of time and everything,” said Alexia.

Whether you think “polyworking” is the way to go, or getting a full-time job, people are proving they can overcome the adversities of the pandemic.

We reached out to CareerSource Gulf Coast officials for comment on the study, they were not available to be interviewed Tuesday. We also reached out to Gulf Coast State College career development officials, but did not hear back.

Copyright 2021 WJHG. All rights reserved.