Multiple Job Holding - A Working Option for Young People

Abstract

This paper considers the motivations and experiences of young people who are multiple jobholders. The research is based on structured face-to-face interviews with 73 people aged 18-34 years who worked in cafe/restaurant and/or creative occupations. Young people working in either occupational group were ambivalent about why they held multiple jobs: they reported wanting to work in this way and also having to, for financial and other reasons. However, whereas those in cafe/restaurant jobs often saw multiple job holding as a transitional work arrangement to support themselves and their lifestyle while they pursued other activities, those in creative occupations tended to view multiple job holding as a long-term working arrangement. Despite the negative impacts multiple job holding had on many aspects of their personal and social life, most young people described multiple job holding as a positive experience. These findings add to our understanding of the range of work options now taken by younger workers and point to some policy implications.