When 2020 started, the whole globe was shocked when a new virus emerged in a wet market in China and started to spread around the world. Many nations are forced to implement lockdowns and strict quarantine measures. Under these circumstances, many people are stuck in a situation where they need to stay at their homes but finding work is also a necessity.
According to Pew Research Center, in US, more than 14 million Americans lost their jobs. The rise in the number of unemployed workers due to COVID-19 is substantially greater than the increase due to the Great Recession. While in the Philippines, 4.6 million Filipinos lost their jobs. The PSA reported a 10 percent unemployment rate among Filipinos aged 15 and up, easing from 17.7 percent in April although still higher than the 5.4 percent level a year ago. This means there is a large number of individuals who are finding work right now. Even if we didn't get the virus, how can we survive in the pandemic?
Finding Work Online
What are the ways we can support our livelihood during this health crisis? One things for sure, human creativity and ingenuity are not dead. Out of this dark times, many people find clever ways to adapt and pivoted to find new sources of income. While some businesses adjusted by letting their employees work at their homes, others on the unfortunate condition, decided to find a side job. There is a trend many people embark in online selling. In my own experience, popular items I see selling online are plants, foods, and accessories.
Moreover, another workforce that has weathered the storm better than most is the freelance market. Many become online freelancers because finding work online has a lot of opportunities and can earn enough to support daily needs. Take for example, a study from Upwork, a freelancing platform, says that 2 million Americans have started freelancing in the past 12 months. Many workers chose freelance or contract jobs because they preferred the flexibility and variety it offered.
Whether an online seller or a freelancer, it offers control and stability over working life that is missing from the traditional economy. All you need is a calculated plan where you want to go with your new way to earn money. An idea to set your goals and a dash into an inexpensive tech kit. It is a savvy way to survive and even thrive during a pandemic.
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