What is the best way to start a career after graduation – as a freelancer or as a full-time employee? Some say that you can only get great experience and a good income as a freelancer. Others value a full-time employee for stability and corporate bonuses.
According to statistics, there are about 1.57 billion freelancers in the world, which means that about 9 out of 20 working people are self-employed. In this article, contrary to the general trend, we will not encourage you to become a freelancer but will consider the pros and cons of each option. We will decide which way of work is best for you.
The two main reasons why graduates like freelancing are freedom and the opportunity to earn more. By the way, if you have problems with the latter, you will find financial literacy tips for students helpful.
Pros and Cons of Working at the Office
Pros
- Team and teamwork. Of course, you’re not always lucky with a team, but if you are, the feeling of belonging to a common cause will motivate you to make your contribution. There’s also someone to chat with during breaks, and corporate memes are generally sacred in the office work environment.
- Corporate perks. People are the capital that businesses invest in. They get corporate training, discounts in partner companies, access to a database (especially relevant for EdTech), and corporate parties so that everyone can have a good rest.
- Social perks. You will get paid vacations and sick leave, pension savings, health insurance, etc. It’s hard to refuse.
- Certainty. We all criticize hiring for its lack of flexibility, but we also love stability. You clearly know from what time to what time you’ll work and what you need to do. You also understand that, for example, after a leading specialist, you’ll be promoted to chief specialist. You don’t have to think things through.
Cons
- Limited freedom of choice of projects. You most likely have a certain range of responsibilities. If you want to take on an interesting project, you will have to break a sweat. Some employers are happy with the initiative of employees, while others do not like this approach. It’s a matter of luck.
- Less independence. It sounds absurd, but there is a risk of micromanagement when your every action is carefully checked and corrected. Large companies often have strict procedures and rules that must be followed.
- Strict work schedule. Your work schedule is limited to prescribed hours and days. This can both discipline and exhaust you. On the other hand, you clearly understand what time you definitely won’t have to think about work. Most likely…
- Routine work and monotony. Here, everything depends on the specific area and your interest in your work. Some people have a new project every day; you have to constantly be creative. For example, ask your corporate copywriter friends how they get by.
Pros and Cons of Freelancing
Pros
- Flexible work schedule benefits. Are you a night owl? Great, start working at 2 pm. Do you like naps? Great, take a nap (just not during a call).
- The ability to work from anywhere. Working on the beach while sipping juice is not worth it – all concentration will disappear. But you can find inspiration and motivation to work in different creative places: libraries, theaters, etc.
- More control over your career. This is one of the best benefits of freelancing. A freelancer independently decides who to work with, what orders to take, and what price to set for services.
- Earning potential. This is also one of the working-from-home benefits that many freelancers appreciate. Over time, you can increase the price of your services.
Cons
- Uncertainty and unstable income. A freelancer may have an unstable flow of orders, which often leads to uneven earnings. And the unclear career ladder is also confusing. After a freelancer comes… A senior freelancer?
- The need for strict self-discipline. You find clients yourself, promote your services, and establish contact with potential employers. Without discipline, you will be without work for months.
- Social isolation. Freelancers often work in isolation – this can be a real challenge for extroverts.
- Lack of organizational support. A freelancer must take care of their finances, taxes, and other aspects of running a business on their own. You will have to immerse yourself in this a little.
- Lack of work-life balance. Self-discipline must also work in the opposite direction. You do not have a fixed schedule, so it will be difficult to distinguish between working and free hours. There is a high risk of switching to a work-life blend – this is when work and personal life literally merge.
- Lack of social perks. Everything is clear here: no paid vacations, sick leave, or other benefits that traditional employers provide. It is especially sad about the discounted lunches. Sad and tasteless.
Test: Is Office or Freelance Right for You?
Answer the questions “yes/no”.
- Are you ready to send out a bunch of responses at first and agree to small amounts in the early stages?
- Are you good at English or ready to learn it?
- Do you believe in yourself? Are you ready to learn how to promote your services and build your personal brand?
- Are you ready for problems with work-life balance?
- Do you consider yourself a disciplined person?
* The employer cannot vouch for your skills; only you have the right to say, “I’m a pro here.” The client will not even look at an insecure specialist.
Result. If you have three or more “nos,” then freelancing is clearly not for you, at least now. But if the answer to most of the questions was “yes,” then it’s time to try.
To sum up
If you want to become a freelancer, you need to decide on the area. This could be something you’ve already done or something you’ve wanted to do for a long time.
Many promote freelancing as the ideal work format, but the truth is that everything is individual. Many who went freelancing return to employment without any regrets. We hope this article helped you understand your preferences!
