.

Homepage > YoCo Awards

Meet our #YoCoAwards winner:
Lauren Farmer

We at Parasol created the YoCo Awards to champion young people who own a great WorkStyle and live life to the full by shunning the traditional nine to five. Instead, they utilise their contracting career for greater professional freedom and better pay.

The awards have been a great success and after receiving some fantastic submissions from across the UK, we’re proud to announce Lauren Farmer as our first ever Young Contractor of the Year 2016.

Lauren Farmer Parasol YoCo Award winner

Job title/field: IT Support Analyst
Contracting since: November 2015
Age: 27

Lauren’s WorkStyle

I started contracting in November 2015, as I returned to work after extended maternity leave. I was worried that I would be spending all my time at work away from my children with no reward at the end of it. Thanks to contracting, I couldn’t have been further from the truth! I have even managed to take my daughters to Disneyworld, all thanks to becoming a contractor!

Q&A with Lauren

Do you think having more millennial contractors is a good thing for business as a whole? Why?

Lauren: I think having contractors within the workforce works well for both the company and the individual who is contracting, it gives both sides a greater degree of flexibility than if they were employed directly by the company.

Why did you choose this career?

Lauren: I came into contracting by accident. I applied for a permanent position based on a friend’s referral and was then told they wanted to hire me, but on a contract basis. I didn’t know much about contracting before that, but I decided to give it a try, as it seemed like a win/win and I’d get to spend more time with my young children.

How satisfied are you with your contracting career so far?

Lauren: I’m very satisfied – I get all the flexibility I need to be around my family.

What do you feel are the main benefits of contracting?

Lauren: Again, it is all about the flexibility, and having the option to work when you want and take time out when you want.

How do you view the future of the contract market for millennials?

Lauren: Within the IT Sector, I think the future is bright. To me, it seems more and more companies are opening up to the idea of employing contractors.

What actions do you think should be taken to encourage more millennials to get into contracting?

Lauren: I think that advertising the whole concept of contracting would help. I do feel that if I had known about it sooner, I would have definitely started contracting sooner.