Opinion: You don’t need a 9-to-5 lifestyle

After graduation, students with their well-earned degrees will enter the full-time working life.

You show up to work at an exact time. You’re allowed a limited number of breaks and break times. It’s the type of job that’s been around for several decades, and even though this work style is changing rapidly as our technology develops, students still need to be aware and prepare for what comes after college.

Because of the rapid development of technology and work situations, especially thanks to the past few years of quarantine, the way many businesses and corporations operate is changing. 

While working remotely may work for some places, not all businesses are the same, and students will need to find jobs that work best for them. 

Sharad Jones, a professional practice assistant professor in the Data Analytics and Information Systems Department at Utah State University, said the term “9 to 5” should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, all businesses are different. 

“Some companies have corporate cultures where there’s the expectation to be the first one there and the last one to leave,” Jones said. “In the interview process, it’s good to find the company that holds your personal best interests at heart.” 

Whenever, wherever or however you work, it can usually be draining. It may take years for graduates to find the occupation they’ll have long-term. 

Michael Glauser, the executive director for the Center for Entrepreneurship at USU, has said more than half of the current jobs will be eliminated by 2034, with the development of smart robots, self-checkout and more. 

“We are creating new jobs with tech as well, but we’ll see the phase-out of and introduction of many different jobs,” Glauser said. 

Short-term planning for a long-term future will help to build skills that we need to adapt to an evolving work lifestyle. And students should start to plan their futures now in order to figure out what they love and find the jobs that suit them best. 

According to Forbes magazine writer Jack Kelly, substantial studies have been conducted to survey people who are working in unfulfilling jobs. They found that more than half of American workers are unsatisfied with their jobs, and it’s not just about low income. 

A common conclusion amongst workers is they want more than “just a job.” 

“Unless they find a company they really, really love, the new millennial generation may have three different jobs in the first five years of working,” Glauser stated.  

Despite the negative aspect of this working life, most businesses that require this type of schedule pay well out of college. Plus, there are positives to look for. 

Jones, who worked the 9-to-5 lifestyle, struggled to accept the lack of summer breaks and “next semester” promises. Things can get monotonous. 

“It’s draining and not easy but can be rewarding,” Jones said. “You have to stretch to make things exciting and engaging. It’s, unfortunately, becoming more common to switch companies in order to progress, instead of growing inside one company.” 

Internships a great way to ease into jobs you might be interested in. But students should be wary of first impressions since companies will put on their best faces for interns.  

USU’s Center for Student Analytics provides mentoring and introductions into the real world with hands-on training. Students can work with tools and technology and companies are currently using.  

Whether you’re using university resources or not, making a plan is important. Graduating students should ask themselves what types of people they want to work for. Small or big. In-person or remote. There are dozens of things to consider.  

While technology advances and the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle evolves, students will have to adapt with it. Applying to internships, trying new companies and finding what you love will take time, but it’s worth it in order to make your job fun and the difficult parts worth it. 

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Megan Cowdell is a second-year communications student. She loves going on bike rides, reading mystery novels and watching cheesy movies.
— A02334008@usu.edu