Week 4: Digital Platforms and "Shift in the Earning Patterns" in a Developing Context

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            Nowadays, I am very keen to observe the shift in earning patterns. As a millennial, I was always taught at school, university, and home that studying must come first and that a job obtained after earning a degree was the primary path to income. There seemed to be no alternative. However, I have observed a significant change with the rise of digital platforms. Young people in Pakistan now earn substantially more than degree holders at a very young age. Given the declining economy and currency depreciation, the youth are increasingly drawn to earning in dollars through digital platforms that offer the flexibility of working from home and being their boss. Examples include vlogging, content creation, and add/drop shipping on Amazon, YouTube, Instagram, etc. Such earners are having a great lifestyle as they are earning in foreign currencies.

            I earned my master’s degree from the most prestigious institute in Pakistan, LUMS, and have enjoyed the associated prestige in my workplaces. Unfortunately, financially, I couldn’t attain a lifestyle as a salaried person that matches what is possible in the US. In Pakistan, social hierarchies are structured so that even quality education or a foreign degree cannot easily disrupt them. There is a very clear divide between salaried and business class.

            Given the potential of digital platform earnings, I suggest higher education institutions educate students on leveraging these platforms. They should teach students how to create quality content that adds value to society and themselves. By doing so, students can earn significant amounts and gain direction and ideas for content creation. This approach can provide them financial stability and a sense of purpose in their professional lives.

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