The Great Resignation: A deeper look at the shift in how we work

You can’t escape the phrase “The Great Resignation” in 2022. With as many as four million Americans quitting their jobs in January 2022 alone, it’s clear the way we work is rapidly changing. And for many, the reasons to leave the traditional work world are compelling. According to a Pew Research Center survey, some of the biggest reasons workers quit their jobs in 2021 were low pay, lack of opportunities, workplace disrespect, and a need for more family-work balance.

What’s more, many participants of “The Great Resignation” might just be leaving the 9-to-5 world to pursue entrepreneurial dreams or a new path entirely. To see just how “The Great Resignation” has affected the creator and online course world, we analyzed Teachable creators as well as their students to see just what trends were arising in the industry.

We’re sharing what our data report found below.

By the numbers

Interestingly, our data showed that in 2021 more students enrolled in Teachable courses on topics surrounding:

• entrepreneurship
• building career paths
• finding passions

What’s more, the Teachable platform actually allowed people to live out “The Great Resignation.” In fact, many became full-time business owners and creators themselves in the last year. According to our data, we saw a roughly 15% spike in creators making more than $70,000—which is considered a healthy, living wage—from online courses and coaching on Teachable in 2021.

Take a look at our findings below:

Creators with courses centered around:

• entrepreneurship saw a 36% growth in earnings in 2021
• finding one’s passion and career path guidance saw a 112% increase in 2021
• cultivating work-life balance and combating burnout saw a 106% increase in 2021

In 2021, there was a 208% increase in creators indicating they joined Teachable looking to “be their own boss” vs. other motivating factors (such as already owning a business full or part time).

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The creator way

Our data revealed that not only are creators seeing more students enrolling in course topics on career goal-setting and entrepreneurship, but they’re also profiting from it as well. Course creator Luisa Zhou, saw a 25% increase in enrollment in her “Employee to Entrepreneur” course.

“I think people are absolutely feeling more empowered right now,” explained Luisa. “With all the news of ‘The Great Resignation,’ and constantly hearing about others who’ve left their jobs and created their own business, I think people are realizing just how possible it is to create a business that replaces their salary.”

New beginnings

“The Great Resignation” may signal a shift in the workforce as we know it, but it also means there are more opportunities than ever before to have a passion-driven work life.

At Teachable, we believe in the power of knowledge. We know that anyone with a passion to share that knowledge can make a difference in the lives of others—and make money at the same time.

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