The Rise of Student Freelancers: A Perfect Storm With No Umbrella

In recent years, the work and career development landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with freelancing emerging as a preferred mode of employment for a rising population of fresh talent. 

Currently, the UK boasts approximately 4.39 million self-employed individuals and projections suggest that by 2027, an impressive 50.9% of the US workforce will consist of freelancers. Let's take a second to consider that prediction. Within the next 3 years, there will be more people engaging in some form of freelance work than the total number of employees in the US.

This trend is increasingly apparent among younger workers, with more students turning to freelancing. To explore the reasons behind this shift, the team at Freelancer Club has compiled the latest data from a range of sources and outlined how we can best support this burgeoning cohort. We've also drawn from our own experience supporting our university partners and the work we do to develop student freelancers and graduates.

A Cultural Shift Towards Independence

The modern workforce is characterised by fluidity and variety, with many professionals changing careers multiple times throughout their lives. 

Today’s students are growing up in an era where traditional career paths and the once-coveted 'job for life' have been replaced with the normalisation of ‘being your own boss’. This shift is partly influenced by the growing desire among young people to take control of their lives and careers.

Consider for a moment the array of transferrable skills a freelancer picks up in their first year of business – client management, negotiation, organisational, and communication skills, basic accounting, resilience in the face of fluctuating income and rejection. It reads like the CV of a senior executive. 

Hiring companies actively seek out characteristics such as adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit, whether they choose to engage in traditional employment or not, it’s the versatility of freelancing that offers students a promising headstart into a squiggly career. 

Freelancing also provides opportunities for quicker career progression and a higher degree of job satisfaction, as freelancers can choose projects that align with their passions, values and professional goals.

With all these benefits on offer, freelancing is no longer just a temporary or part-time endeavour for students, but a long-term and well-considered career choice.

A Desire to Work Remotely

The freedom of working remotely isn’t just a Covid fever dream — it’s the new reality. In fact, according to PWC,  it’s now one of the primary catalysts for the surge of students turning to freelance work.

For students, remote freelance work means a chance to build a personalised work environment that maximises productivity and aligns with their schedules. In one survey, 69% of graduates stated remote work as a deciding factor.

Thanks to advancements in technology, such as improving internet infrastructure, sophisticated communication platforms and AI/automation tools, we can now perform most traditional working tasks from virtually anywhere — including dorm rooms, local coffee shops, or beach-front cabanas overlooking diamond-white shorelines.

As remote work continues to shape the future of work, it remains a cornerstone as to why freelancing is becoming increasingly attractive to the student demographic – offering a taste of professional freedom early on in their careers.

Launching, in 3,2,1… 

64% of UK businesses hire freelancers as part of their workforce. Entry into freelancing has become almost frictionless. Unlike launching a startup business, for example, a freelancer can leapfrog the ideation phase, pitch deck design and fundraising process completely. 

Freelancers can land ‘early money’ straight out of the traps and, with the appropriate training, become financially stable in less than 6 months. In fact, our research has shown how student freelancers with business training, coaching and support excel over those who fall into freelancing, but that doesn’t change the fact that setting up and landing a paying client can be done in less than 24 hours.

Navigating Economic Pressures

If you were a student after 1998, when university fees were introduced, you’re well aware that the study/work/life balance can be, at the very least, challenging. 

The need for additional income to support one’s studies is nothing new. However, rising fees and the cost of living have created added pressure to generate significant funds.  

Whereas part-time work at cafes, pubs and the Student Union remains prevalent, many students have turned to freelance work as an alternative to traditional work. Content writing, design, customer service, social media marketing, accounting, coding, project management, teaching… you name it, they’re making money from it.  

Freelancing offers a flexible alternative that allows students to earn income on their terms, often from the comfort of their dorm rooms or libraries, generating more than working a minimum-wage job. 

The range of opportunities is vast and varied from graphic design and website development to tutoring and content writing. This flexibility is crucial for students who need to balance earning an income with maintaining their academic performance. Not featured on this graph but coming up fast on the outside lane is a plethora of occupations related to AI. Currently, that space is heavily populated by copywriting and customer service but we suspect design, video, photo and audio to be impacted within the next 18 months.

The Social Media Influence

Social media platforms have played a pivotal role in popularising freelancing among students. On Facebook alone, there are over 5 million active advertisers, opening up an endless pool of clients and opportunities.

Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok not only feature successful freelancers who manage thriving businesses but also highlight lifestyles that prioritise freedom and personal fulfilment.

It goes without saying, but social media also provides a plethora of resources and communities where aspiring student freelancers can learn from others' experiences. 

Whether through instructional videos, motivational posts, or direct mentorship via social media groups, these platforms have significantly simplified the process of building a brand and finding new opportunities. Not to mention the vast network of contacts freelancers can obtain via social media platforms, and if there’s one thing students know how to do, it’s building social networks - the step they need help with is converting those networks into opportunities. 

Aligning with Modern Values

Gen Z and Gen Alpha value flexibility, autonomy, and the integration of work with personal life, attributes aligned with a freelance lifestyle.

Many students are drawn to freelancing because it allows them to create a balanced lifestyle where work can be adapted to suit their commitments and interests rather than the other way around.

Ultimately, the growth of student freelancers is a multifaceted phenomenon driven by economic needs, cultural shifts, and the enabling role of technology. As more students choose to take the reins of their professional lives through freelancing, we can expect to see continued changes in how work is performed and valued in the wider economy. 

For students, freelancing is not merely a way to earn money; it's a pathway to independence, professional satisfaction, and a promising career that breaks away from traditional moulds.

As this trend continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the next generation shapes the future of the freelance economy. Now, the talk revolves around how we can offer the best support to this expanding community of student freelancers.

Learn more about the rise of student freelancers and how Freelancer Club supports them through our university partnerships.

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