Who are the slashers?
Slashers are individuals who carry out several professions or professional activities at the same time. This trend takes its name from the slash (/) used to designate the different functions that a person can perform, such as graphic designer/photographer. According to Marielle Barbe, consultant and trainer, “The slasher is a person who feels that for his overall balance, he must do different activities”.
Generation Y at the heart of the slasher movement
Slashers are often from Generation Y, people born between the beginning of the 1980s and the end of the 1990s. These young adults grew up with the Internet and social networks, which allowed them to develop new skills and be interested in various professional fields.
Why become a slasher?
Becoming a slasher can have different motivations:
- Personal development : Slashers seek above all to find a balance between their different interests and professional tasks. By exercising several professions, they meet their needs for development and intellectual stimulation.
- The necessity : Some choose to become slashers out of financial need, working multiple jobs to support themselves. In this case, the objective is more to survive in a difficult economic context than to flourish professionally.
- The opportunity: Other slashers simply seize the opportunities that come their way and diversify their activities depending on the opportunities that present themselves.
The advantages and disadvantages of the slasher
Benefits :
Being a slasher has several advantages:
- Personal development : As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest benefits for a slasher is the personal fulfillment they feel from doing several different jobs throughout their career.
- Flexibility: Slashers often have great flexibility in their schedule, which allows them to better balance their professional and personal lives.
- Networking: Working in several professions gives you the opportunity to develop a large professional network and be exposed to new career opportunities.
Disadvantages:
However, being a slasher also has disadvantages:
- Workload : Having multiple jobs can lead to work overload and cause stress and fatigue among slashers.
- Difficulties managing time: Time management can be complicated for a slasher, who must juggle different activities and find a balance between professional and personal life.
- Dilution of expertise: Some specialists believe that working in several professions can hinder mastery of a specific profession and dilute an individual’s expertise.
Slashers and entrepreneurship
Many slashers are also entrepreneurs. They create their own businesses and manage them alongside their other professional activities. This approach allows them to further develop their network, diversify their skills and improve their financial situation. However, it should be noted that this approach is not without risks: starting a business requires a lot of work, time and financial investment.
Famous slashers
The world of art and culture is full of famous slashers such as Jean-Michel Wilmotte, French architect, urban planner and designer. These versatile people often bring innovative ideas and contribute to enriching our society through their creativity and thirst for new experiences.
The slasher phenomenon is a reflection of our contemporary society, characterized by a multiplicity of skills and professional aspirations. If the choice to become a slasher can be motivated by various reasons, it is clear that this approach responds to a need for personal and professional development that many individuals from Generation Y share.