#5onFri: Five Degrees to Consider in Pursuit of a Freelance Career

by Indiana Lee
published in Community

Freelancing is a viable career option for individuals in a wide range of sectors. And the number of freelancers globally looks poised to grow in the foreseeable future. 

A recent study indicated 58% of non-freelancers are considering a switch to freelancing. Furthermore, another study revealed 53% of freelancers said they believe they will experience greater demand for their services now and in the future than they did before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.   

There is no need to wait to pursue a freelance career. With the right approach, you can build a successful career as a freelancer. But before you do, you may want to earn a college or university degree. 

A degree can help you stand out from other freelancers. However, certain degrees may prove to be more valuable than others to those who want to freelance full-time.

Now, let’s look at five degrees to consider in pursuit of freelancing. 

1. Finance

There is no shortage of freelance finance jobs, and these include:

  • Analyst: Handles financial records and transactions, performs payroll audits and bookkeeping, and generates insights and reports. 
  • Planner: Helps clients manage their money and achieve their financial goals. 
  • Accountant: Tracks an organization’s transactions and delivers reports on its financial performance. 

You can pursue a degree in many areas of finance. Once you earn your degree, you can open the door to finance career opportunities. 

In addition, a finance degree can help you land freelance jobs that pay well and provide steady work. For instance, some virtual accounting jobs pay anywhere from $60,000 to $70,000 annually. These jobs allow freelancers to work from wherever they choose. And they are available to freelancers across the United States. 

2. Web Development

A web developer transforms a web design into a website. As more companies look to extend their online reach, the demand for web developers is expected to increase accordingly. Thus, if you earn a degree in web development, you may find substantial demand for your services going forward. 

The best web developers know the ins and outs of Python, HTML, and other programming languages. Therefore, it pays to earn a degree that allows you to gain hands-on experience working with these languages. You can then build skills that help you stand out from other freelance web developers. 

Moreover, continue to advance your skillset, even after you earn a web development degree. Web development tools and technologies are constantly evolving. Stay up to date on web development tools and technologies, and you’re well-equipped to thrive as a web developer.  

3. Writing

Anyone can write, but it takes a special skill set to work as a freelance writer. Along with having strong writing and editing skills, a freelance writer must be driven to succeed.

Earning a degree can put you on the path toward a successful freelance writing career. Yet, it is important to note that freelance writers often need to search far and wide to find work. Freelance writers need a variety of marketing skills, so they can effectively promote themselves to prospects as well. 

Freelance writers also need to be able to perform comprehensive research to learn about a client and its target audience. Because the more these writers learn, the better off they’ll be to produce content that delivers its desired results. 

4. International Relations

With an international relations degree, you can make a difference anywhere in the world. An international relations degree program lets you learn about the economic, political, cultural, and legal factors that impact global affairs. Plus, it teaches you how to analyze international events and share details about them in oral and written formats.

You can earn an international relations degree and pursue freelance roles across the globe. If you do, be aware of the cultural elements associated with any freelance job you accept.  

Cultural awareness is paramount, particularly for freelancers in international relations roles. As such, you should research a country’s culture before you start working in the nation. You can then prepare for the job and ensure you dress and act per the country’s cultural norms.  

5. Graphic Design

Graphic designers produce visual content to communicate messages. These designers work across several media. Meanwhile, organizations frequently hire freelance graphic designers to perform short-term projects. If a freelance graphic designer consistently delivers outstanding work, an organization may frequently seek out help from this professional, too. 

You can earn a graphic design degree that helps you fine-tune your creative skills and develop new ones. A graphic design degree program also teaches you about communication, typography, and interactive media. You can even learn how to use Adobe’s creative apps for graphic designers.  

Be persistent as you move forward with a freelance graphic design career. Each graphic design project provides an opportunity to bolster your portfolio. Make the most of every project, and you can foster a rewarding career as a freelance graphic designer.

Earn a Degree and Build a Freelance Career

You can earn a degree in any of the aforementioned areas and work toward building your freelance career. But you need to consider other factors to succeed in freelancing. 

For instance, think about your finances and budget as best as you can. This ensures you can avoid running out of money while you look for freelance work. 

You should also plan ahead for life on the road. If you enjoy travel, you can freelance and go from place to place. To do so, you need to remain diligent and work hard. Then, you can develop and maintain a successful freelance career. 

Get started on earning a degree you can use to become a freelancer. From here, you can enhance your skill set and grow your career.


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Indiana Lee is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest with a passion for covering workplace issues, social justice, environmental protection, and more. In her off time, she enjoys hiking with her two dogs. You can follow her on Twitter @indianalee3, or reach her at indianaleewrites@gmail.com

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