Create your own job opportunity

Become a freelancer
Leah Veal
Chronicle Career Editor

When the job market does not look very promising for students who would like to get relevant work related to their major, there are many things they can do to create their own tailor-made job. One idea is to become a freelancer or independent contractor. The best route to do this is through the student’s skills and experience they already have.

NYIT career counselor Charlene DeGregoria encourages students to first identify what type of work they would like to do such as products and/or services and what they can offer to their potential clients.

Furthermore, she suggested compiling a portfolio to provide samples of work for clients to see on a website. She also recommends attending industry networking functions and networking at all times to get your name out there in order to build credibility and name recognition. Also, blogging and writing online can become a powerful tool for anyone of any major who wants to create buzz for their freelance services.

The greatest benefit that comes from being a freelancer or independent contractor is to show future employers that you are able to take on a large amount of responsibility while even attending school. In the long run, this is very beneficial in landing that first job after graduation and perhaps even securing a job that is a level or two higher than entry-level.

Another benefit to becoming a freelancer is working on your own schedule and being afforded the most flexibility. However, drawbacks could include a lack of clients or possibly a deluge of potential clients that you have to turn away.

Time management is the key to any job especially freelancing and providing services to clients. For students who attend school full-time, it may be best to gain and maintain a maximum of three to five clients who need work done on a regular basis to start with. That way there is not too much overwhelming work involved or too many client personalities to contend with.

Another factor to keep in mind is to start small, limit products and/or services to 5 or less or as many that you can do with exceptional ease and speed. Setting small limits will ensure getting work done in a timely fashion and not feeling too overworked.

The key characteristics that any freelancer needs to possess to be successful includes patience, good work ethic, promotional and networking skills. Plus, an absolute love for working with people and making people happy is essential. Otherwise, you will not be able to survive the ups and downs of working with clients who have diverse personalities and needs.

Before starting, it is a good idea to write up a basic business plan to outline who and where are potential clients are and how will they promote themselves, using what type of media. Also, create business cards, fliers and a blog that is up and ready to be looked at (with all relevant product and service information) is extremely helpful.

For students who would like to take the plunge and become freelancers, there are so many reasons to begin your self-created business and no better time to start than right now.