The 9-to-5-Plus Generation: How Tabitha Is Managing Living at this Intersection
Meet Tabitha Kioko, a customer service rep turned virtual assistant, who’s living proof that the future of work isn’t replacing traditional jobs, it’s happening alongside them, and it’s rewarding too
Tabitha Kioko's daily routine is familiar to millions of people today, not just the youth: clock into your 9-5, clock out and immediately switch gears to digital work; transcription projects, creative design gigs etc. Welcome to the new normal, where having "just" a job isn't enough anymore. This is the reality for an entire generation caught at the intersection of traditional employment and the digital economy.
Tabitha represents millions of young people who are adapting to an economy where job security isn't guaranteed, where salaries haven't kept up with living costs, and where the most interesting opportunities often happen outside traditional office hours. "Before joining ALX, I was working in customer service and exploring transcription and creative design on the side," Tabitha explains. Notice she doesn't frame this as "I had a job and some hobbies.".This dual existence isn't easy. The turning point came when Tabitha realized that staying competitive meant going all-in on digital skills. "I knew I needed to sharpen my digital expertise to compete in the global remote workspace," she reflects. This wasn't about ditching her day job, it was about positioning herself for whatever comes next.
That's when she enrolled in ALX's Virtual Assistant Programme, and suddenly the intersection made sense. "It became a turning point in my career, equipping me with the tools, confidence, and network to dream bigger and work smarter." What Tabitha tapped into is something most young people sense but struggle to articulate: the job market has split into two tracks. There's the traditional employment track with its predictable structures and limited growth potential then there's the digital skills track with its flexibility, global reach, and unlimited earning potential. Most young people today aren't choosing one or the other, they're living in both simultaneously.
The smart ones, like Tabitha, use this intersection strategically. Their 9-to-5s provide stability and benefits while they build digital capabilities. Their side projects provide creative fulfillment and skill development while they maintain financial security. It's about integration."What excites me most about the tech space is its power to break barriers and create opportunities beyond borders," Tabitha says. I mean, a transcriptionist in Nairobi can work for a client in London. A virtual assistant can support a startup in San Francisco. A creative designer can build brands for businesses across three continents, the opportunities are endless.
The problems Tabitha now solves is helping businesses with "disorganization, poor workflow management, and limited digital presence" She’s grown up a digital-native, she understands remote collaboration, and is comfortable with technology in ways that makes her invaluable to businesses trying to adapt. Her most important insight cuts through the overwhelm that many young people feel trying to manage this dual existence: "Consistency beats intensity." To her, you don't have to quit your day job tomorrow or work 16-hour days forever. You just have to keep building, keep learning, and keep showing up in both spaces until the intersection becomes your launching pad.
When Tabitha reflects on her journey, her advice to others navigating similar intersections is simple: "Your starting point doesn't define your ending. Use every challenge as a stepping stone, and remember you already have everything you need to begin." The job market has evolved into something that rewards people who can operate in multiple modes, the ones who thrive are the ones who see this as an advantage to leverage.
If you would like to connect further with Tabitha, you can do so via her LinkedIn.
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