The study, published in the Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (FJMR), examines how Generation Z students experience freelance employment while continuing their academic activities. Rather than viewing freelance work only as a way to earn extra money, the researchers found that students also use it to develop professional skills, gain work experience, build portfolios and prepare for future careers.
The journal does not specify the city where the research was conducted. It states that participants came from different regions of Indonesia and were interviewed online through Google Meet.
Digital Platforms Change How Students Work
The growth of information and communication technology has helped expand the gig economy, a labor system in which people commonly take on short-term or project-based work. Digital platforms allow freelancers to work without being tied to a permanent employment relationship and often give them greater control over working time and location.
For university students, this flexibility can be particularly attractive. A student may accept a project and arrange the work around lectures, assignments and examinations. At the same time, freelance projects can provide practical experience that is difficult to obtain solely through classroom learning.
Zahra and Suratman found that students' decisions to pursue freelance work were influenced by several factors. Financial needs were important, but students also saw freelance work as a way to pursue personal interests, strengthen professional competencies and gain experience relevant to the labor market. The rise of digital platforms and the popularity of the side hustle trend further expanded these opportunities.
However, students also recognized a trade-off. Traditional employment was viewed as having advantages in income stability and work well-being, while freelance work offered greater flexibility but less certainty about future earnings.
Seven Students Shared Their Experiences
The researchers used a qualitative approach based on students' personal experiences. Interviews were conducted online with Generation Z students who were actively enrolled at university and had real experience working as freelancers through digital platforms.
The methodology section states that seven informants were selected based on these criteria. Researchers then examined recurring themes in their stories to understand how students managed their academic and professional responsibilities.
There is, however, an inconsistency in the journal: the conclusion refers to eight informants, while the abstract and methodology state seven. Because the source does not explain the discrepancy, this article does not treat eight as the confirmed sample size.
Flexibility Comes With New Pressures
The experiences described by participants show that freelancing requires more than technical expertise. Students must also learn how to manage schedules, communicate with clients, find projects through digital platforms and maintain the quality of their work.
The researchers found that freelance work had both positive and negative effects on students' lives.
Key benefits included:
- Additional income and improved financial support.
- Opportunities to develop professional and technical skills.
- Greater work experience before graduation.
- Portfolio development and broader professional networks.
- Opportunities to communicate directly with clients and understand workplace expectations.
- Greater preparation for future careers.
The main challenges included:
- Conflicts between academic schedules and project deadlines.
- Divided attention between studying and working.
- Academic pressure and high responsibility.
- Physical and mental exhaustion.
- Reduced social interaction.
- Uncertainty over freelance income.
- Changing client requirements and technical problems.
The findings suggest that the consequences of freelance work depend not only on the job itself but also on how effectively students manage their two roles.
Time Management Becomes a Critical Skill
Students in the study developed several strategies to keep freelance work from interfering with their education. They prioritized academic responsibilities, scheduled freelance work during available time and communicated with clients when deadlines conflicted with university activities.
They also relied on self-motivation, income management and career planning. Some students considered combining freelance work with full-time employment in the future, indicating that freelance experience may become part of a longer-term career strategy.
Zahra and Suratman from Universitas Islam Indonesia emphasize through their findings that freelance work can function as more than a source of student income. When managed effectively, it can help students develop competence, independence, professionalism and career readiness. At the same time, self-management, time management and adaptability are essential to maintaining a sustainable balance between university and work.
Universities Can Help Student Freelancers
The findings also have implications for universities. As more students participate in digital and project-based work, higher education institutions may need to recognize that students' professional activities can become part of their learning and career development.
Zahra and Suratman recommend academic counseling, time-management training, skills development and collaboration between universities, industry and gig-economy platforms. Such support could help students gain practical experience while preventing freelance work from undermining their academic responsibilities.
For policymakers and businesses, the findings also highlight the need to understand the less predictable side of freelance employment. Flexible work can expand opportunities for young people, but income uncertainty and the demands of maintaining a professional reputation can create additional pressures.
Future research proposed by the authors could examine students over a longer period and compare the effects of freelance work on academic achievement, psychological well-being, career readiness and long-term employability. The researchers also suggest examining factors such as self-regulation, resilience, digital literacy, financial stress and social support.
Author Profiles
Pinky Nurbaiti Zahra — Universitas Islam Indonesia. Zahra is the first and corresponding author of the study. The article does not state her academic degree or specific professional title, so these details are not added here. Her research in this article focuses on Generation Z students, freelance work, the gig economy and the challenges of balancing academic and professional responsibilities.
Andriyastuti Suratman — Universitas Islam Indonesia. Suratman is the second author of the study. The article does not provide an academic degree or detailed field-of-expertise profile. Her contribution centers on the study of Generation Z students' experiences with freelance employment alongside academic demands.
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