What happens when freelancing becomes the norm?
The US is no longer an industrial-based society where you can count on having a job for life and a sparkly new watch at your retirement party. (And forget about that pension.) According to the Freelancers Union, one in three workers are now toiling as freelancers, temps, “permalancers”, perma-temps, contractors, contingent workers, etc. That amounts to some 42 million freelancers in the US – people who are working without the benefit of employer-sponsored health insurance, 401k plans and flexible spending accounts. – How America is becoming a nation of freelancers
Meanwhile in the UK, self-employment is on the rise.
Self-employment rose by 101,000 to 4.12 million in the three months through November and accounts for 14.1 percent of total employment, figures released by the Office for National Statistics today show. It has grown about 8 percent since the start of the recession in 2008, while the number of employees has fallen 3 percent. – UK self-employment driven by desperation
The automation and outsourcing of work is becoming our wicked problem to deal with as we move into the network era. Most workers have no control over the economy or the changes in the means of production. They just have to roll with the punches, which are coming faster and faster. However, there is one area where workers can take control; relatively easily and inexpensively. They can take control of their professional development.
Most recruiters will tell you that the time to build your network is before you become unemployed. It’s the same with professional development. If the only knowledge-building activities you do are ones mandated by your employer, then you may be in trouble. Developing a network of thoughtful people who can help in your professional life would be a good start. For example, mapping and understanding your network is the first activity in my PKM workshop. I suggest that everyone needs to develop Net Work Skills.
If you think there is a possibility of spending some time in the future as either unemployed, contractual, or freelancing, then now is the time to build a professional development network. Seek out people who can help you; begin habits of regular sense-making activities; and start to share, because only by sharing will you meet the people you should be seeking in the first place.
There are many barriers to directing your professional development from inside your organization, but almost none outside the workplace, other than time and motivation. As Donald Taylor advised, when I asked for suggestions about how to prepare for an unexpected career change, “My advice: always foster your whole network and give as well as take. Don’t wait until you need them. I always say “Never let your first message to someone be a demand for help.” Derek Warnick suggested, “Don’t wait another year to make the change…” With almost limitless access to shared knowledge, it’s easier today than any time before to take control of your professional development.
Your post is quite timely as I have been pondering the “free agent” reality and mindset as of late having just the other day tweeted: “I think many ppl don’t build a #SoMe #PLN & continuous learning becuz it’s not a desired “skill” listed by employers. Wait & it’s too late”. Maybe its the industrial era mindset of employees that keep them from approaching work in a free lance kind of way and owning their PD. Even if under the perceived comfortable umbrella of an organization, we must remain ahead of the wave of change that is crushing antiquated systems.
There’s also the angle which is “most ‘normal’ people can’t fathom making a living sitting in front of a computer. As our society continues to transition from manufacturing to services, more and more laborers, old school jobs are disappearing- – en masse.
So take this freelance mentality as applied to professional development – and take it further. Shouldn’t educational institutions today be training students to become on-line, freelance workers – from day one?
And also apply this to returning vets, moms coming back from raising the kids, baby boomers, disabled – re-entry population. EVERYONE who wants to work – in the future – must learn these intangible skill sets – to participate in the burgeoning virtual on-line workplace.
That’s what our Digital city project is about – and finding the jobs and projects for our graduates – to help create on-line jobs for normal people.
This conversations are very useful and make me to do the work on time and gave knowledge on PKM
Keep to post more and more