How a Flexible Job Can Help with Balancing Work, Study and Your Social Life

Get you a job that DELIVERS on the work/life balance front.

This article is presented in partnership with DoorDash.

Working a part-time job, studying, and trying to see your friends can seem like an impossible task.

But never fear! Flexibility isn't just a myth and gig work can give you the chance to fit all the pieces together.

Meet Sarah Poutsie:

Sarah is a 23-year-old from Queensland. She’s used DoorDash for her full-time earnings since July last year and is now a Top Dasher. We asked her to help us bust some of the common misconceptions about gig work.

Myth #1: “It’s not a real job.”

Even Sarah was skeptical of signing up for gig work at first.

A family member suggested it as a way to help her through some financial stress and because she was passionate about customer service, so she gave it a go.

Sarah says the most common misconception is people thinking it’s a not real job, “but it definitely is, the only difference is that you are your own boss,” she says.

She quickly realised it was a great way for her to make it a “full-time job and earn a reasonable income.”

Myth #2: “It’s too hard.”

Sarah says the sign-up process is quick and easy, “not like a usual job where you go for the interview and wait to hear back.”

It all starts with an ABN and background check, which sound hectic, but are actually super easy. Both processes are free, fast, and made simple by DoorDash.

As a Dasher, you can schedule your shifts ahead of time which is a great way to help manage study sesh's and classes.

Once you’ve signed up, you can start straight away, and you get a two-week grace period with the same benefits as a Top Dasher.

As a Top Dasher, Sarah has the privilege to truly Dash whenever she wants. 

And, Sarah says it’s actually not that hard to become a Top Dasher – it just requires making a few deliveries. Good sunnies, killer tunes in the car, and a hot bag for the goodies should do the trick!

Myth #3: “You have to do a tonne of deliveries to make good money.”

As a Dasher, you get to choose your own schedule, you can work as much or as little as you need.

Sarah says it’s also handy that DoorDash tells you where and when it’s busy, so you can maximise your earnings.

"It's more than just delivering food," Sarah says. You don't just get orders from restaurants but also groceries, flowers, and more, equalling higher order volume.

Myth #4: “Working by yourself = being alone.”

You’d be forgiven for thinking that spending all that time on the road could get a bit lonely. But, Sarah says she’s experienced quite the opposite.

She says she’s gained both confidence and connections along the way too.

“It’s more than just a regular job because you get to move around, meet people face-to-face, go above and beyond, and even make friends.”

She’s a part of the Dasher Community Council and says there’s lots of communication between her fellow contractors and the community.

“It’s so much more than just clocking in and out,” she says.

Myth #5: “It’s not a viable option as a student.”

Sarah says she’d highly recommend joining DoorDash if you want to make money on your own schedule while studying and encourages everyone to be confident and give it a go.

“It’s so flexible and you don’t have to be out for a long time to earn a good amount of extra pocket money," she says.

 “There’s no harm in trying it, especially when you get a two-week grace period. Just test the waters because you never know."

Sounds pretty sweet, right? So why not give DoorDash a try? You can sign up in 5 minutes and start dashing in 48 hours. For more info, head here.

Header image: Supplied