The Gig Economy
As I was driving back from New Orleans, I located NPR and figured I would see what was up in the world. LSU has several stations throughout Louisiana so as soon as one fades out, you just find the next.
It was all gloom and doom about the economy and such, but I found one segment to be REALLY interesting.
They were interviewing Tina Brown on her article about the “Gig Economy“. You can listen to it here.
Basically, with the internet making things easy to find consultants/freelancers and the cost of healthcare being so high, many firms are seeking out part time workers. She says that more and more often, when you ask somebody what they do for a living, it becomes a 10 minute explanation as opposed to just something simple like “Im a banker”. Apparently 1/3 of the US workforce is like this. She sees the workforce as a collection of hustlers drumming up work and struggling to “make the nut“.
It was a bit serendipitous to come across this piece as the whole point of my trip was to clear my head and maybe formalize some strategies on how to make some money. Im beginning to realize that my chances of landing a regular 9-5 job within 20-30 minutes of my house with benefits is getting pretty slim in the short term.
My newer options include a 45-60 minute commute (ack), taking really low bids for contract jobs (Ive seen some ridiculous ads for jobs that even head hunters discouraged me from pursuing) or looking into the telecommuting market.
To be a successful free agent, you need a good list of contacts. I’ve started going back to Geekmeet and joined up with the Dallas Java Users group. Already, that has opened the list of possibilities. The thought of not being a wage slave to 9-5 is actually kinda appealing, but Im still at the edge of a generation that feels that folks need a full time job. The Christian Work Ethic. Ill admit that the biggest thing getting me down is not the lack of a paycheck, but the lack of a job. I really did take a lot of pride in having a job with Nortel. I liked the collegiality of the workplace and it did play into a large part of my identity.
Additionally, in the interview, they mentioned that more people are finding that they are falling back onto other hobbies and skills for work. I do make a little coin from time to time with the Boys Named Sue. Actually, I spend more time doing taxes for the music than my actual work income. This year was kinda weak though. I had considered giving violin lessons.
I do like circuit bending and have considered making things to sell on eBay.
After the segment, I still had 300 miles left to get home and came up with the following strategies.
1. Although the Certifications for Java have helped, there is no point in me getting another one for EJB or web services. To be honest, this is the point where I think the real work tends to branch out with its own solutions (Spring, Hibernate, struts). Im going to spend my ‘learning time’ making a fully blown, feature rich website. A workout one because I need some help in the gym too. When its ready, I’ll let friends use it. I only ask that it get beta tested if you use it.
2. I need a secondary resume. One with all my oddball skills on it. Circuit bending, silkscreening, guerilla marketing….gardening?
3. Im going to have to stop relying on Job boards for jobs. Headhunters can find me.
4. If I grow out my goatee, maybe I can be a Starbucks barista.