Is One Job Enough?

Single vs Multiple Jobs

By Laurenz Lee

Multiple Jobs. The New Reality of The Workforce. Source: The Guardian

CHERAS: Working a 9 to 5 job is extremely tiring, yet we hear more and more stories of people working multiple jobs. Is it necessary? If so, the question is why?

According to the Guardian, more than 50% of Malaysians have taken an extra job just to make ends meet. The main drivers of this multi-job movement have been the youth especially the now college-aged Generation Z. For many reasons, these youngsters see this life as the new normal.

Income v Expenses

For broadcasting student Wilson Low, 23, income is more than just about money but dreams too. His dream is to own a studio. This dream doesn’t come cheap however, and Wilson knows this.

‘Even if you make 4k or so, 70% will go to must-use expenses,’ said Wilson. Broadcasting Student.

Wilson Low, Broadcasting Student

Although he expects a higher-than-average expected salary of 4k MYR, he still expects to be working multiple jobs. His reason? Job security.

‘For many of us we’re freelancers, so our income depends on project budgets,’ said Wilson, Broadcasting Student

This belief has become more common especially for jobs with low job security. According to the American National Library of Medicine, those with low job security are more inclined to work multiple jobs as a potential safety net.

Wilson is not the only one concerned about income either.

Victor Chen, Experienced Filmmaker

Victor, 30, a decade long experienced filmmaker only makes up to 3k MYR a month. A third of which is spent on personal expenses like housing and gas. Although he works multiple jobs to make up for that loss, the economy hasn’t made it easy.

‘There’s only so much a company can afford to pay you,’ said Victor, Filmmaker.

Malaysian income growth is still below many of its peers, and workers struggle to earn enough money to meet expenses.

Inflation of the MYR

What money has been made is also worth less every day because of Inflation. As explained by the IMF, inflation is the increase in prices over time but while prices of goods have gone up, wages to buy it has stayed the same.

‘Which effectively is the same as paying less,’ said Anthony. UTAR Lecturer

Anthony Miranti, 58, a lecturer at UTAR, has noticed a negative trend regarding Malaysian incomes. He observed that jobs from 1996 with a listed salary of 2,500 MYR, have the exact same listed salary as jobs in 2015 despite the rising cost of living and inflation.

Anthony Gandolfo Miranti Jr, UTAR Lecturer

‘I think the line between advancement and survival has definitely contracted over time. Diversifying your income sources is definitely wise to do’ said Anthony, UTAR lecturer.

Multiple Jobs by Choice

Even for traditionally stable jobs, more and more people have chosen to diversify their options.

Kim Gin, Accounting Student

Kim, 21, an Accounting Student. was confident that one job, specifically as an auditor, was more than enough. Even with economic concerns like currency depreciation or low wage growth.

Despite this, he has still chosen to seek out multiple jobs and income sources.

‘Me and my friend are definitely planning to invest in something after graduation,’ said Kim.

Kim is not alone in this, as whole subset of people have begun to see multiple jobs as a positive rather than a negative.

This lifestyle isn’t for everybody though especially for those with lower incomes or less stable jobs.

Necessary Experiences

‘I worked before and I made about 1k from two jobs,’ said Angel, 24. Broadcasting Student

Before she entered UTAR Broadcasting, Angel had worked a variety of jobs both full-time and part-time to gather experience in the workplace.

Angel Au, Broadcasting Student

With companies trending towards valuing experience more than education, many workers like Angel have begun to see multiple jobs as a necessity to build your portfolio of work.

‘It comes at the cost of time and relationships,’ said Victor, Filmmaker

Although finding it necessary, these workers like Angel have also expressed their dissatisfaction with this workload.

‘There is a huge amount of pressure, to monetise time,’ said Anthony.

The Malaysian workforce has changed to focus on working multiple jobs while for some this has been viewed as a positive. For many other this move has not been a willing choice but a matter of trying to keep up with the reality of rising cost of living, inflation, and the expectations of employers. Although dissatisfied for these workers, there is nothing much they can do but bear with it and try their best in the new normal.

‘It’s a challenge to overcome,’ said Angel, Broadcasting Student

“We should work to live, not live to work,”  - John McDowell

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