Are you ready to turn your side gig into a career?

When it comes to bringing in an income, it's no surprise that a large portion of millennials aren't just relying on their 9-5 jobs. According to a recent study from CareerBuilder, though 29 percent of surveyed workers in general have a second job outside of their full-time position, 39 percent of people aged 18-24 do, and 44 percent of 25-34 year olds do. From childcare to blogging, bartending to tutoring, there are a variety of reasons that people work more than one job.

Some people are looking to supplement their income, and others are taking the opportunity to pursue their passions because their full-time current position isn't as fulfilling as they would like it to be. If you work a second job and fall into the latter category, you may have wondered when it's appropriate to turn your side gig into your full-time job. Here's what you should consider:

Can your freelance gig sustain you financially?

Your finances

Do you rely on your side gig to make the bills, or do you use it as supplemental income? If you were to lose your full-time job right now, would your second job bring in enough cash to keep you from dipping into your savings? If you live with a spouse or a partner, is his or her income enough to supplement what you may be lacking in the beginning? These are important things to take into consideration, especially if your side job isn't as lucrative as your full-time job is at the moment. If you aren't making enough money on your second gig right now, think about what it would take in order to bolster that income. If you had more time to dedicate to it – say, 40 extra hours a week – would you have enough work to make up that income gap? Think about what changes you can make in your spending habits to make this as smooth of a transition as possible.

Your time

Are you able to count your spare hours each week on one hand? If you find that every evening you come home from work and dive head-first into your second job, you run the risk of burning out. It's crucial that you really love what you plan on making your new career, or you may begin resenting it when it becomes your primary source of income. Everyone needs some time to decompress, and if you don't have enough time to do that between your two jobs, it might be time to focus on just one – let it be the one you're most passionate about.

On the other hand, your time commitment might be what's prompting you to make a career out of your side gig. If you're considering children and don't want to pay for daycare, it might be beneficial to be able to make your own hours. When you make your own schedule, you will also be more reliable to your clients.

Cindy Berrier

Cindy is the Customer Care and Operations Manager at 123Print. A native New Englander, Cindy now resides in Pennsylvania. She enjoys helping our customers and ensuring that the website runs smoothly. When she has downtime, she likes to spend time with her grandchildren and ride horses. Any questions, please contact her at cberrier@123print.com. [Check out Cindy on Google+]

Share
Published by
Cindy Berrier

Recent Posts

11 Easy and Helpful Techniques to Annihilate Holiday Stress in 2024

Learn effective stress management techniques to keep you sane during the holiday season, so you…

1 month ago

Harvest the Power of Print: 10 Clever Fall Marketing Ideas for Your Business

Looking for effective fall marketing ideas to help your business stand out? From eye-catching direct…

3 months ago

Fascinating Tips From Experts On How to Build Your Brand Universe in 2024

Learn from experts like Disney, Marvel, and more how to create an entire universe around…

6 months ago

Professional Nature Photographers Share Tips on How to Stay Relevant in 2024

We’ve gathered insights from professional photographers who reveal their secrets to getting inspired and staying…

7 months ago

7 Crucial Strategies to Add to Your Marketing Playbook for a Successful Season

In the ever-evolving marketing landscape, staying ahead requires a strategic approach throughout each season. Having…

9 months ago

5 Strategic Customer Service Moves to Make Everyone Feel Like a Winner

Have you ever had WINNING customer service? Customer service that doesn’t just meet your expectations…

10 months ago