Shenandoah University Institute For Entrepreneurship To Host Free Webinar On The Gig Economy

Attendees Will Learn How To Make The Most Of What May Be The Future Of Work

The Shenandoah University Institute For Entrepreneurship will host a free webinar on the “Gig Economy: The Future of Work” on Monday, Aug. 14, from 11 a.m.-noon, via Zoom. Featured speakers will include School of Business Instructor of Entrepreneurship, YesBuilds founder and author Yolanda Shields, Ph.D., and Associate Professor of Management and Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship Montressa Washington, Ph.D.

“The gig economy is the future of work,” said Dr. Shields. “This webinar will share the changes that are taking place and what you can do to take your side gig full time.”

According to Shields, the gig economy is a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. Participation in the gig economy has grown rapidly over the past few years and expanded exponentially since the onset of the 2019 pandemic, due in part to the increased reliance on gig workers to home-deliver necessities to consumers.

In the gig economy, individuals, often called “gig workers” or “independent contractors,” work on a project or task basis, providing services or completing specific jobs for different employers or clients.

The significance of the gig economy lies in flexibility for workers and employers, a diverse talent pool for individuals with specialized skills, opportunities for side hustles and passion projects, and more. It has also raised concerns about job insecurity and lack of employment benefits and has raised debates concerning labor rights.

Still, the gig economy continues to impact the way people work and do business, providing exciting new opportunities as well as challenges and dilemmas surrounding the future of work and the evolving dynamics of the labor market.

Registration is required; to attend the webinar, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/mpwxwn5v. You will receive a confirmation email and a link to join the meeting.

Shields’ new book, “The Gig Economy: The Future of Work In Today’s New Economy (2023),” was released on June 6. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.