Gigs or 9-to-5: a qualitative investigation for understanding students’ career preferences

Purpose This study investigates the motivations and challenges influencing the career preferences of Indian students engaged in part-time digital gig work, examining how their experiences shape career decisions in an evolving labour market. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, phenomenological approach was adopted, utilising semi-structured interviews with 30 students actively engaged in digital gig platforms. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling to ensure diverse perspectives. Findings The analysis identified seven key themes grouped into two categories. Motivations for pursuing gig work included opportunity for self-learning and skill acquisition, scope for large income generation and flexibility and work–life balance. Challenges constraining sustained gig engagement involve: limited university support, income instability, lack of regulatory protection and high competition. These themes reflect how students’ participation is shaped by both aspirational and structural factors. While many are drawn by autonomy, income and career experimentation, others express concerns about long-term sustainability and institutional neglect. Research limitations/implications The study offers theoretical contributions to career research by applying a hybrid framework while also recommending curricular, institutional and policy-level interventions to better support young gig workers navigating the evolving digital labour market. Originality/value By focusing on students in higher education, this study highlights an underexplored segment of the digital gig workforce. It provides nuanced insights into how young professionals navigate precarious yet flexible employment landscapes. The study is grounded in a hybrid career theory, showing how students blend traditional career concerns (e.g. stability) with protean orientations (e.g. adaptability and autonomy).