Document Type
Thesis
First Faculty Advisor
Kristin Taylor-Costello
Second Faculty Advisor
Judith McDonnell
Keywords
gig work; shared economy; college student employment
Publisher
Bryant University
Rights Management
CC - BY
Abstract
Gig work has become increasingly popular with the prevalence of flexible and remote work opportunities. Despite this emerging trend, there is an overwhelming lack of research regarding undergraduate college students’ experience in that sector; the age group that is the most active in the gig economy. The majority of people partaking in alternative work arrangements do so in addition to their full-time jobs, and for young adults in college their full-time job is being a student. This research aims to understand the factors of gig work that contribute to students having a positive work experience during university. Additionally, this study examines students’ ability to maintain a work-life balance with various forms of employment while in college. In order to investigate this a survey was conducted with members of the greater Bryant University community. The results of this study show that a large portion of students’ days are taken up by homework and work, and are commonly working multiple jobs. Additionally, students’ ability to have a good work life balance largely depends on the type of job they do.
