IN THE NEW ECONOMY, WHO IS BUILDING REAL JOBS?

MARY SNAUFFER

HI, I WORK AT A STARTUP BASED IN NEW YORK CITY.

I HAVE BUILT AN INCREDIBLE NETWORK OF WHAT THE INDUSTRY, HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW, AND INVESTORS CALL “AGILE TALENT.”

AKA FREELANCERS WHO WORK FOR US REMOTELY.

MOSTLY UNDERGRADUATES AND GRAD STUDENTS.

WHO ARE HUSTLING—INTERNING, FREELANCING, WORKING, AND BEING IN SCHOOL.

ALL IN PREPARATION OF GETTING THAT REAL JOB.

BUT I’M CONCERNED THAT THESE REAL JOBS I’M PROMISING MY AGILE TALENT NETWORK THAT I AM PREPARING THEM FOR…

I AM ACTUALLY HELPING MAKE THEM GO EXTINCT.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT HOW TECHNOLOGY LIKE AI, MACHINE LEARNING, AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES ARE GOING TO KILL 100,000’S OF JOBS IN THE FUTURE.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CULTURE THAT STARTUPS, SILICON VALLEY, AND INVESTORS ARE BREEDING?

“Most tech start-ups lean on the idea of the “gig economy.” They staff up rapidly with freelancers, who are both cheaper to hire (none of the insurance, 401(k) and other expenses) and more flexible (they can work as much or as little as needed). It’s the model Uber has used to upend the taxi business.”

New York Times, July 2016

SILICON VALLEY TOUTS LIBERAL PROMISES…

BUT THEY AREN’T PROTECTING THE WORKER.

THROUGH INTERVIEWS WITH STARTUP FOUNDERS, SILICON VALLEY INVESTORS, FORTUNE 500 CEOS, AND TODAY’S “AGILE TALENT,” I WANT TO FIND OUT…

IN THE NEW ECONOMY, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING REAL JOBS?