Freelancing as a Career Choice for University Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study explores the motivations, challenges, and institutional dynamics influencing student engagement in freelancing at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, it examines how personal attitudes, perceived social norms, and control beliefs shape students’ intentions to pursue freelancing as a career. A qualitative approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews and surveys with 15 active student freelancers. Thematic analysis revealed that financial independence, skill development, and flexible work schedules are primary motivators. The study found that financial independence, flexibility, and skill development are key motivators for Rajshahi University students to pursue freelancing, while inadequate institutional support, unreliable digital infrastructure, income instability, and academic pressure act as major barriers. It also revealed significant gender disparities and highlighted the need for targeted university support to foster sustainable student participation in the gig economy. However, significant barriers including unreliable digital infrastructure, income instability, academic workload, and inadequate institutional support limit sustained participation in freelance work. The study offers an original contribution by applying behavioral theory to student freelancing within a developing country context, an area that remains underexplored in existing literature. By linking theoretical insights with practical realities, it provides a nuanced understanding of how students navigate freelance opportunities alongside academic commitments. The findings hold policy relevance, offering guidance for universities, policymakers, and development actors. Targeted institutional support, improved technological infrastructure, and integration of freelancing into career development programs are recommended to enhance student participation in the gig economy and promote equitable access to digital employment opportunities.