Pinky’s life changed drastically when she decided to venture into a new way of life last December 2015. From being a traditional employee in Metro Manila, she went on to dabble in a couple of other industries including being a technician, engineer, IT specialist, student and teacher. She shares with us her experience on being a freelancer, and how it’s been a long time coming.
1. What started you on this freelancer's journey?
I’ve spent my adulthood working in the manufacturing industry. While working at my last job, I was also juggling my master’s degree. I enjoyed the challenge both at work and in school, but as time passed, there were many instances I questioned if following the norm was really the right path for me. I felt like a ball constantly bouncing against two confined walls. I wanted to do something else, to explore and be able to operate within my own space, so I left the corporate world and gave up my only source of my income last December 2015.
Towards the end of 2015, I was also offered a dual master’s degree programme outside the Philippines that I have always wanted. But the course was only starting a couple of months later, and I’m suddenly left with no job and minimal savings that would not be able to sustain my school fees and daily expenses. I didn’t want to ask my parents for help, so I started searching for part time positions on the Internet and discovered freelancing platform Upwork. From there, I successfully landed my first tech-related project within the next one or two months, but also began venturing into leads generation, security services and even doing some search engine optimisation and real estate projects. And that’s how my journey began.
2. What are some of the benefits and challenges as a freelancer?
For one, I no longer have to deal with traffic in Manila. Commuting from home to office used to be a chore, but as a freelancer, I can work anywhere as long as I have my laptop. We also do not have to deal with the uncertainties from traditional jobs. Freelancers are usually compensated by our employers upon the completion of our projects. I also have the freedom to choose the projects I want to take on according to preference, specialisation and the time on hand. No last-minute meetings, late-night commutes or extra admin work that affects my efficiency. I can manage my time much better and plan my schedule according to different deadlines.
On the other hand, the lack of a physical presence makes communicating a challenge. One of my employers was American and I was in the Philippines, so any liaison had to be done over emails. I tried to check my emails with an online grammar tool before sending them across, but he always thought my language was sloppy. It’s difficult to meet his language expectations and communicating would have been much easier if it’s done face to face.
3. What are your plans for the future? Do you foresee yourself doing freelancing in the long run?
I stopped my last freelancing project in October last year as I landed a full-time position as a physics teacher. It was also getting increasingly difficult to juggle teaching, writing my thesis and freelancing. But this is not stopping my freelancing journey, as I do intend to go back to freelancing after completing my master’s. I guess that’s also the beauty of the job, as you can always go back to it whenever you want.
4. Were those around you supportive of your job as a freelancer?
At first, my mother was very worried about me and thought that I should just find another full-time position. My parents’ scepticisms grew when I told them that I was working as a freelancer. There hasn’t been anyone within our family who had this job. It also doesn’t help that there have been so many news reports about online scams and they were very concerned.
So I had to assure them that I do have decent employers and a decent salary. I told them with pride that freelancing is a decent job and not any different from any other full-time roles.
6. What words of advice would you give to others looking to embark on the freelancing journey?
I feel like the most important thing, whether you’re a freelancer or not, is to try to discover what you really want in life. Not what others expect of you, but what you want for yourself. Our time is limited, so it is important to make full use of the skills and resources we have, in order to fully utilise our time.
I just read this quote earlier from Hermann Hesse: “Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go which makes us stronger.” I have decided to let go of a traditional way-of-life and embark on my freelancing journey, I am happy where I am now, and that’s probably all that matters.