Future of Online Work in the Digital Space

Some call it a lifestyle but I call it a revolution. The digital space has never been more influential than it is today. Over the last 10 years, what started as a trickle of people using online platforms to make friends and broaden their networks, has advanced into the “human cloud” where everyday people are a making colossal difference to both society and their pockets!

Today, anyone with a passion, talent, or hobby can contribute to a virtual platform and tap into a fast-paced and exciting online market of viewers-come-consumers. The best part is, that you can access this money-churning hotbed from the cozy comfort of your own home!

From bloggers to online tutorials, the growth of digital work has made it possible for layman, armed with sufficient determination and an internet connection, to access boundless knowledge and utilize it for personal and societal gain. Take for example, Alexis Ohanian, who by co-founding the online information site-Reddit, has financially empowered both himself and thousands of “taskers” while enlightening viewers with consistently intriguing articles.

So lucrative is working in the digital space, that ‘Global Internet Fortunes’, a private company investing in jobless youth through online work, estimates that by the year 2,025, 540 million workers will have ventured into online platforms seeking employment. You see, the days of working one 9am-5pm job for the rest of your life are slowly but steadily ebbing away, as the following happens: cost of living rises, unemployment among graduates is rife, and workers look for increasing levels of job satisfaction. But don’t get me wrong, this is actually positive in other aspects as it can encourage us to emerge from the comfort zones of the past and prod us to think creatively and work smarter in the digital sphere.

Mass migration into the world of online work has been a sure-fire way to maintain a competitive market among those trying to access similar demographic groups. Naturally, this has been beneficial to subscribers as it encouraged producers of content to constantly revamp their material and presentation in order to reflect the changing demands of their consumers. Additionally, it has spurred online workers to set and maintain high standards if they want to keep their subscription numbers rising as opposed to dwindling.

As you can imagine, the benefits to companies using online platforms are immense. They have instant access to cheap, willing, and remote talent enabling them to circumnavigate costly overheads and lengthy recruitment processes.

On a larger scale, governments in emerging economies such as the Philippines and Kenya have recognized online work as a “powerful force for the redistribution of wealth” and are now keen to invest in assisting their youth to participate more entrepreneurially online. This is impactful as future generations are also bound to embrace this ingenuity and versatility in their personal and professional lives.

As I close, I am confident that the magnetism of this wonderful new world is far too great to withstand. So what are you waiting for? Come on, it’s calling your name!