Working for yourself (or freelancing) offers many benefits, especially for college students. For one, you only take on as much as you want on a flexible work schedule. Thus, you don't need to compromise the time you spend studying or even hanging out with friends.
You can even earn the money you need to supplement your allowance, pay student debts, or build up your savings for the future. More importantly, though, freelancing will hone the skills you need to gain a competitive edge in the job market. Indeed, it's no wonder that 70% of Americans work during college, reports US News.
But the question is: is freelancing right for you? To help you along, we discuss some of the benefits that might convince you to give it a try.
You Work Whenever, Wherever, And However You Want
Arguably the best part about being a freelancer is that you get to work on your terms in all aspects of your job. Choose what kind of project to work on and how many to take on at once. You can decide where and when you work. Whether in between classes at your local coffee shop or home in your pajamas, it is up to you. Additionally, you can try out jobs in different fields to see which ones you flourish in the most. Anything you're good at is a potential work opportunity.
You don't even need to be an active freelancer all the time. Instead, you can take on jobs when you need to or have the time. It's the perfect setup for students!
Job Hunting Will Be A Breeze
This flexibility has caused freelancing to skyrocket, especially with the pandemic spurring remote and hybrid work schemes. In fact, LHH outlines how the gig economy is rising, with estimates pegging the total share of freelancers as 25% of the American workforce. This percentage is only expected to increase in the future.
In large part, this is because most of the jobs are being created by apps like Doordash, Brainfuse, ContentGrow, and Etsy, and websites like LinkedIn, UpWork, and Flexjobs. Here, you can easily find work in everything from food delivery to content writing and even just selling second-hand items, so you're certain to stumble upon a job that pays well — and that you'll love doing.
You Gain Experience Before You Graduate
Another significant benefit of freelancing while you're still in school is that it'll help you build your resume ahead of your peers, giving you an advantage as a fresh graduate on the job market. When you opt to be fully employed, this experience may be what allows you to stand out above other entry-level candidates. If you plan to stick with freelancing, you'll have a hefty portfolio and previous experience dealing with clients, both of which can help you apply for better and higher-paying projects.
Freelancing as a student also gives you an edge in networking, which a 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology describes as a critical part of career success. By proving to your clients that you're reliable and produce high-quality output, you're likely to get referrals that will only push your career further over time.
With so many pros to becoming a student freelancer, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Just make sure to start slowly but surely, so your work doesn’t take priority over your studies. Instead, take a page from our previous post Grow Yourself Mentally: by taking on a positive attitude and aiming to achieve self-mastery, you will only continue to grow.
