Help Advance Supported Employment practices for Young Adults exploring the Gig Economy
Focus Group Participants Needed We want to hear from Supported Employment providers and Young Adults.
About 3 in 10 young adults ages 18–29 in the U.S. have earned money through an online gig platform (Pew Research Center, 2021)
For many, work doesn't always look like a traditional 9-to-5 job. It might mean driving for Uber, delivering for DoorDash, selling products on Etsy, designing websites, freelancing, house sitting, or providing other services.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School are talking with young adults and the providers who support them to better understand the opportunities and challenges of gig work and identify what information and tools could be helpful.
What we learn will help to advance the knowledge and skills of employment services to better support young adults with a mental health condition who are considering gig work.
What is Gig Work?
Gig work includes many different ways of earning money outside of a traditional job.
It can include short-term, flexible, freelance, contract, or self-employed work. Examples include:
- Driving or delivery — Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart
- Freelance or professional work — graphic design, photography, music, writing, virtual assistance, marketing, consulting
- Care and household work — babysitting, pet sitting, cleaning, house sitting
- Selling products or services independently — Etsy or other online sales
- Short-term contract or project work — completing specific projects for an organization or individual
Gig work can look very different from person to person. We want to hear about the full range of experiences.
Source: Pew Research Center, The State of Gig Work in 2021 (2021).
Are You a Career Service or Supported Employment Provider?
We are looking for providers who support young adults with mental health challenges as they explore education, employment, and career goals, including those working in Supported Employment, Career Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, or related services.
We want to learn about your experiences supporting young adults who are interested in or participating in gig work, including:
- How you help young adults explore and make decisions about gig work
- Opportunities and challenges you see in gig work
- Questions or concerns that come up when young adults consider gig work
- Information, tools, training, or other resources that would help you provide support
What Is Involved?
Eligible providers will participate in:
- One virtual focus group on Zoom
- Approximately 60 minutes
- Participation is voluntary
- Compensation is provided for eligible participants
Interested in Participating?
Complete a brief eligibility survey to see if you may qualify and learn more about the study.
[TAKE THE PROVIDER ELIGIBILITY SURVEY – LINK]
Know a young adult who might be interested?
Share this page with them or send them directly to the young adult eligibility survey below.
Are You a Young Adult Interested in or Participating in Gig Work?
We want to hear directly from young adults about what it is like to explore, consider, or participate in gig work. You may have experience with gig work such as:
- Uber
- DoorDash
- Etsy
- Web design
- Freelancing
- House sitting
- Pet sitting
- Delivery work
- Selling products or services
- Other flexible or self-employed work
We are interested in hearing about what attracts young adults to gig work, what challenges they may face, how they make decisions about it, and what kinds of information or support could be helpful.
Who Are We Looking For?
We are looking for young adults who:
- Are 18–30 years old
- Have lived experience with a mental health condition
- Have experience with gig work while aged 18-24 or are considering gig work now
What Is Involved?
Eligible young adults will participate in:
- One virtual focus group on Zoom
- Approximately 60–90 minutes
- Participation is voluntary
- Compensation is provided for eligible participants
Interested in Participating?
Complete a brief eligibility survey to see if you may qualify and learn more about the study.
[TAKE THE YOUNG ADULT ELIGIBILITY SURVEY LINK]
What Happens After I Complete the Survey?
The eligibility survey is brief and helps our research team determine whether you may be eligible to participate.
If you appear to be eligible, a member of the research team will contact you by phone to provide more information, answer your questions, and discuss next steps.
Completing the survey does not guarantee participation in a focus group.
Your Perspective Can Make a Difference
By sharing your perspective, you can help shape future resources for young adults and the providers who support them.
What we learn from providers and young adults will help researchers better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with gig work.
Have Questions? Email Louise Harkins at louise.harkins@umassmed.edu
IRB Docket #STUDY00003261
The Gig Economy Work project is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research as part of the Learning & Working Rehabilitation Research and Training Center grant (#90RTEM0012).
