Romi Carrell Wittman

I’m part of the Gig Economy.

My situation is a little different than most freelancers. My side gig is writing; my full-time job is Associate Professor.

I didn’t set out to become a freelance writer. Rather, after a series of chance encounters, people began asking me to write for them. From a long-running newspaper column to business and lifestyle articles to press releases, and both internal and external corporate communications. I continue because I enjoy it – and the extra income is a nice bonus.

While I more or less fell into freelancing, many others actively choose to participate in the Gig Economy full-time. These independent contractors, consultants, and freelancers make up the bulk of this rapidly expanding workforce. Since 2010, the number of gig workers has increased by 33%. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that 20-30% of the working-age population now engages in some form of gig work. Moreover, the growth in full-time gig work is outpacing the expansion of traditional full-time jobs.

As more industries adapt, a critical question arises: Is higher education adequately preparing students for the Gig Economy? The standard higher ed curriculum is geared towards training students for full-time employment. This leaves students ill-equipped for the realities of freelance and contract work.

Diane Mulcahy’s Harvard Business Review article offers compelling suggestions to bridge this gap. She advocates incorporating small business fundamentals – from billing to marketing – into the curriculum. She also makes a compelling case for Career Services departments to incorporate gig work opportunities alongside traditional full-time job placement.

While I agree with Mulcahy’s conclusions, I would argue for an even more holistic approach. The ancients, like Aristotle and Plato, believed education should develop the whole person. This means coursework spans the arts, history, and philosophy. This classical approach, along with the study small business, can produce graduates ready for all manner of opportunities. A classical education creates students who are critical thinkers, ethical decision-makers, and effective communicators – invaluable assets not only for full-time employers, but also the flexible world of gig work.

The gig lifestyle can be a lonely road, but it offers a level of flexibility that traditional jobs cannot. By empowering students with both technical and the philosophical foundations, students are prepared for whatever opportunities await.

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