I’ve been working freelance for nearly five years, and it’s been one of the best experiences of my life.
I work from home, which I love. Especially during these times when so many folks are trapped at home and dealing with cabin fever, I know how lucky I am to not have to share a workspace with anyone else.
Working in my own space has allowed me to develop my craft in ways that wouldn’t have happened if I’d stayed with a traditional employer. It’s hard sometimes, but the payoff is well worth the effort!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Freelancing is a viable career path for Generation Z, offering flexibility and opportunities to pursue passions. |
| 2. The freelance landscape is evolving with the emergence of a new generation of freelancers. |
| 3. Generation Z is reshaping the future of work with their unique approach to freelancing. |
| 4. Adapting to technological advancements like AI writing is crucial for freelance writers. |
| 5. Embracing an entrepreneurial spirit can lead Gen Z individuals to explore freelancing and alternative career choices. |
A Lot Has Changed Since I Graduated
I graduated in 2015, with a liberal arts degree from a small liberal arts college. I graduated with more student debt than I can count on my fingers and toes. I was living at home with my parents because of this fact, and working part-time while pursuing freelance work.
I was not doing what I wanted to do. It wasn’t as if I didn’t have passion for my field of study or creative pursuits; it’s just that with the amount of time it would take me to get where I wanted to be, it didn’t seem worth it.
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I Had A Strong Taste For Independence
As a Generation Z freelancer, I had a strong taste for independence. I was tired of being told what to do, and wanted to be in control of my destiny. I wanted the freedom to set my hours; to work from anywhere; and finally, to work in my own time.
That’s why in 2017 when it came time for me to graduate from university with an English Literature degree (don’t ask), I decided against taking up a job offer from one of London’s top publishing houses.
Instead, I took up freelance writing jobs on Fiverr – but it wasn’t just because they paid $5 per article (although that helped).
I Was Making Enough Money To Get By
It was time to put my plan into action. I started by making sure that I had the right skills and mindset to work from home, as well as the proper equipment to do so.
The last thing you want is for your computer to crash during a job interview or client meeting because of a malfunctioning keyboard or mouse! Next, I developed a marketing strategy that would help me attract clients and make them feel confident in hiring me for their projects.
Finally, it was time for me to find my first gig and it did not take long before my hard work paid off: within two months of starting as an independent contractor, I landed five paying clients who could be counted on monthly revenue every month thereafter.
Sometimes The Work Is Lonely, But Always Rewarding
One of the biggest struggles for me is that I have to work alone. When I first started freelancing, it was hard for me to get into a routine and be productive. It didn’t help that my coworkers were often around to help keep me motivated and accountable.
However, now that I’m at this point in my career, I’ve learned how important it is to motivate yourself when you’re working solo. If you don’t have anyone else encouraging you to get things done, then who will? You have no choice but to find ways of motivating yourself!
One thing that helped me was setting up an accountability partner via Slack with some friends who were also freelancing at the time (they’re still great friends today).
We helped each other stay on task by checking in every day or so via text message whenever we were working remotely from home or away from our offices for meetings/events/etcetera…
The freelancing landscape is evolving, and Generation Z is at the forefront of this transformation. Read our piece on Freelance Gen: The New Generation of Freelancers to explore how this new wave of freelancers is shaping the future of work.
Remembering The Value Of Human Connection Is Critical
Remembering the value of human connection is critical. Generation Z is a generation that has been raised on technology, but they are not necessarily comfortable with it. They want to know you before they trust you or work with you.
As someone who grew up in this generation, I understand how important it is to be a good listener and communicator, or else your message won’t be heard (and may even cause offense).
The ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team or on projects is also important. You need to know how to collaborate within organizations as well as across organizations (as is often necessary when working remotely).
This includes knowing how best to lead teams through difficult times, being able to mentor others in your organization, and collaborating with clients from around the world via phone calls and video conferencing software like Zoom or Google Hangouts.
Building A Professional Profile From Scratch Is Hard Work
I know it can be hard to start from nothing, but it’s worth remembering that no one ever got anywhere without a lot of hard work.
Your first clients will probably come from referrals. In my case, they were friends and family members who heard I was looking for work and referred me to their businesses/projects.
If you don’t have anyone like this in your life (or if they’re not willing to refer you), then you can always ask people in the industry on LinkedIn or Facebook if they might need help with their freelancer profiles.
There are also online groups where industry workers share projects find out which ones are appropriate for your area of expertise and sign up!
Once you’ve got a few small jobs under your belt, aim for the next step: getting paid gigs as an independent contractor on UpWork or Fiverr.
You’ll want to keep working toward building up a portfolio of great work so that when someone wants someone like yourself but needs something specific done quickly, no question that hiring YOU is going to get them results fast!
Embrace the power of freelancing and discover how it’s changing the world in our insightful article on how freelancing is changing the world. Join the global shift towards independent work and explore the impact of this freelancing revolution.
My Schedule Is More Flexible Than Most People’s
I have a flexible schedule. I can work from anywhere, and at any time. I don’t have to commute or put on pants to go to work. I also get paid more because of my flexibility a lot of times, clients will send me a job and say, “Do it by tomorrow.”
If you’re working for someone else who expects you to be available 24/7/365 (which isn’t realistic), this probably isn’t an option for them.
If they need something done right away or they want something done in just one day out of the week when most people are busy with other things like spending time with their families.
Working out at the gym or doing laundry (I know! Dirty laundry!) then that’s exactly what I do: I do it!
It’s not always easy living as a freelancer though it’s kind of like being in college all over again except that this time around there’s no subsidized housing or meal plans (unless your mom still cooks you dinner every night).
And sometimes it feels like everyone else has more structure than me…but that doesn’t bother me too much because even if my schedule changes every week according to whatever project comes along next; at least now when someone asks me how often I work per week
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My Worldview And My Lifestyle Are Intertwined
I believe that my worldview and my lifestyle are intertwined. I want to work from anywhere, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that I’m a traveler at heart.
When I started freelancing, it was because I wanted to be able to travel and see the world while still earning money on the side doing so. Now, after having lived in several different places around the US, I’ve decided that now is an excellent time for me to relocate overseas.
My lifestyle is important because it allows me to learn about many different cultures through my travels around this country (and hopefully beyond).
Anyone Can Become A Freelancer, As Long As They Have Determination And Perseverance
As a young freelancer, I don’t have many life lessons to share. But I do have some advice for those who are just starting: anyone can become a freelancer, as long as they have determination and perseverance.
I’ve been working in the digital space since 2013 when I was still in college. The first thing you need to know about freelancing is that it’s all about your skill set not just what you know but also how well you can learn new things.
If there’s not an opening for the kind of work you want to do at your current job or company (or if there never will be), then maybe it’s time to consider striking out on your own as a solo entrepreneur.
You’ll learn valuable skills along the way and build up connections that can help get you hired by bigger organizations later down the road when other opportunities open up!
Generation Z is charting their own course in the professional world, and it’s time to take note. Dive into our piece on how Generation Z is playing by their own rules to understand how these young individuals are redefining work norms and pushing boundaries.
Conclusion
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience so far, it’s that anyone can become a freelancer if they work hard enough at it. It doesn’t matter what age you are or what your background is all that matters is having determination and perseverance.
My advice for anyone who wants to start their own business as a freelancer is this: figure out what your skills are, evaluate them honestly and objectively, then go from there. Don’t let anybody tell you it’s impossible because they haven’t been where you’re going yet!
Further Reading
Majority of Gen Z Considers Freelancing to Be a Viable Career Option: Explore how a significant portion of Generation Z views freelancing as a feasible and attractive career path, backed by insights and data.
It’s Official: Gen Z Is the Hustle Generation: Uncover why Gen Z is commonly referred to as the “Hustle Generation” and how their entrepreneurial spirit drives them towards freelancing and alternative career choices.
Gen Z Employees Want to Go Freelance: Delve into the preferences of Generation Z employees, their growing interest in freelancing, and how this shift impacts the future of work dynamics.
FAQs
Is freelancing a viable career option for Generation Z?
Yes, freelancing is increasingly considered a viable career option for Generation Z, with many seeing it as a flexible and rewarding path.
How does Generation Z’s entrepreneurial spirit influence their interest in freelancing?
Generation Z’s entrepreneurial mindset encourages them to explore unconventional career choices, such as freelancing, to pursue their passions and have greater control over their work.
What are the benefits of freelancing for Generation Z employees?
Freelancing offers Generation Z employees the flexibility to work on projects they are passionate about, the freedom to manage their schedules, and the potential to earn a lucrative income.
How is the “Hustle Generation” embracing freelancing opportunities?
The “Hustle Generation” of Gen Z individuals embraces freelancing opportunities as a way to proactively pursue their ambitions, create diverse income streams, and gain valuable experiences outside traditional employment.
Are there specific industries where Gen Z employees are more inclined to freelance?
Gen Z employees show a growing inclination towards freelancing in various industries, such as tech, creative fields, and digital marketing, where they can leverage their skills and expertise to succeed independently.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.