There’s no denying that COVID-19 has impacted the world of work in ways we are still adjusting to. While some industries have been struggling to stay afloat, reports indicate that tech will continue to thrive - and it looks like freelance work will, too.
What is a freelancer?
Freelancers are not employed permanently at a company, but rather work independently doing contract work for different clients. It can be ramped up as a full-time gig, or something pursued on the side of a regular 9-5 job. Freelance work is especially popular in industries such as the arts, tech, and communications. At Juno, some of our graduates from our Web Development Bootcamp go on to work as freelance web developers on exciting projects, working with renowned companies such as Hiwatt Amplification and even starting their own digital agencies.
What are some benefits to being a freelancer?
Be Your Own Boss
Working for yourself means that you have the agency to choose your own clients, projects, and how you run your self-made business. If you prefer working independently, and if the idea of entrepreneurship and marketing your own brand sounds exciting, freelancing may be for you!
Flexibility Flex
Tired of the usual 9-5, Monday to Friday grind? As a freelancer, you’ll have the power to set your own schedule and own your time. You'll be able to work when it suits you, whether this means working before your kids wake up, or working at midnight because that's when you're most productive. Plus, certain freelance gigs make it possible to work wherever you’d like, whether in the comfort of your own home, your favourite cafe, or a hotel across the world.
Invest in your Piggy Bank, Portfolio, and/or Passion!
If you’re already happy in your current job, but are looking for ways to make additional income, add to your portfolio of work, or simply spend time on a hobby, why not try doing freelance projects on the side? Freelancing can be a great way to keep your skills sharp, and earn a little extra money while doing so.
How has COVID-19 impacted the freelancing industry?
In April 2020, Forbes reported that COVID-19 is likely to give the freelancing industry a major growth spurt. Only a couple months later in June, Upwork, a popular freelance platform, confirmed this prediction with their latest Future Workforce Report. As Forbes summarizes, 73% of hiring managers who participated in Upwork’s research survey reported that they are continuing or increasing their use of independent, freelance professionals.
While certain parts and sectors are slowly beginning to resume in-person operations, some are still keeping their digital offerings, and many are opting to stay remote for now or even permanently. These changes to the workforce are substantial - and the flexibility and adaptability of freelancers play a key role in this transition. Upwork’s Chief Economist Adam Ozimek says to Forbes:
Businesses really find a lot of value in flexible talent in a variety of situations. This is one of those situations. Companies are having to pivot very quickly and to quickly adapt to remote work and having to change their businesses in a variety of ways. Some of them are trying more flexible talent and finding it works, especially in circumstances where you need to move quickly and grow and scale dynamically.
Freelance and Tech
The in-demand and adaptable qualities of both freelance work and the tech industry mean that doing freelance work in tech may become even more popular than it already was before. Developers will especially be sought after to help support and innovate companies who are managing their businesses online.
While the pandemic has made many things uncertain, it's clear that ecommerce is thriving: CBC reported that "online sales more than doubled in April and now make up almost 10 per cent of everything sold in Canada — the biggest proportion on record," and The Star recently reported that Shopify revenues nearly doubled during COVID-19.
Pondering a career change?
If you've been feeling stuck in your career, or if the pandemic has made you feel uncertain about its future, tech is a future-proof industry worth looking into.
At Juno, we're experts at helping people land jobs as web developers, fast, through our award-winning Web Development Bootcamp. We're proud to have students join us from all walks of life, whether retail, academia, hospitality, or the arts, to name a few - eager to make a change.
You'll leave with the skills, support, and confidence to launch a rewarding career in a booming industry. Download our free guide to Kickstarting your Tech Career to learn more!