Young professionals having two or more jobs increased in the recent years compared to the past where a professional is expected to serve under one employment. This may be due to the presence of technology and the higher financial needs by adults and families. Although, certain advantages and disadvantages can be mentioned with this phenomenon.
Technology made work easier. The equipment that can be used by different fields never ran out. Administrative workers have advanced computers and artificial intelligence to help them accomplish tasks. Also, the presence of the internet made information available to everyone as compared to the past wherein hours are spent searching pieces of literature in the books. Blue collared jobs have huge machineries that would maximize their strength in doing heavy labor as well. With this, more energy can be conserved by workers that would enable them to have another job. For example, bookkeepers can do virtual assistance when they get home, serving another employer locally or overseas. The unused energy at work because of technology can be diverted to another so that another source of income would be available.
In line with this, increased financial needs demand a diverse source of income. The presence of social media and the internet made young adults interested in numerous things. Trends and hobbies became a dedicated category in personal finances, hence, professionals are willing to go an extra mile to feed their curiosities and pleasure. An additional work will fund the lifestyle they want. This lifestyle inflation is not deemed possible with just one job to cover all the expenses, especially for a normal employee.
There may be different reasons for a person to cater to multiple jobs and this situation has its pros and cons. Its benefits include having a dynamic source of income, wherein, more money can be earned, saved, and spent for needs and wants. Another is the dynamic improvement of a personal skill set. For example, I do my duties as a medical technologist for 8 hours a day then teach students about medical laboratory science in post-work hours. I found myself developing in my speaking abilities while also developing my clinical skills. However, aside from these benefits, disadvantages are also noticeable such as burn-out and strained family relationships. Having lesser time for rest and personal decongestion makes a person prone to running dry. Moreover, since more time is spent at work, relationships can have tensions, especially the nearest ones we have such as our family. Lesser quality time with them can make a person lack communication and affection for their household members as they come home tired after long hours at their workplaces.
Multiple jobs are made possible by technology and are oftentimes needed to support a certain lifestyle. Though beneficial by giving a young professional diverse streams of income and capability development, it may compromise personal well-being due to burn-out and can affect family relationships negatively. Hence, committing to multiple jobs should be well thought and multiple factors should be weighed in first.