- Freelance:
- Pluses: Have the freedom to choose their projects, set their own rates, and work on a flexible schedule. They can work from anywhere and have more control over their work-life balance. Freelancing often allows for a diverse range of projects and clients, which can provide exposure to different industries and experiences.
- Minuses: Responsible for finding and securing their own clients, which can involve significant marketing and networking efforts. Income can be irregular and uncertain, and freelancers often have to handle administrative tasks like invoicing and taxes on their own. Freelancers may also face challenges in maintaining a stable income and finding new clients consistently.
- Part-time:
- Pluses: Offers more flexibility than full-time work, allowing individuals to pursue other interests or responsibilities alongside their job. It can be suitable for those who need a reduced work schedule or have other commitments, such as caregiving or other responsibilities.
- Minuses: May not receive the same benefits as full-time workers, such as health insurance or retirement plans. There may be limited opportunities for career advancement or job security compared to full-time positions. Part-time work may also result in a lower overall income due to reduced hours.
- Contract/Agency:
- Pluses: Can provide opportunities for individuals to work on specific projects or assignments with different companies. It offers flexibility in terms of project duration and exposure to diverse work environments. Contractors may also have the potential to earn higher hourly rates compared to full-time employees in similar roles.
- Minuses: Lacks the stability and benefits associated with full-time employment. Contractors may not receive the same level of job security or access to benefits like health insurance and paid time off. Finding new contracts consistently can also be a challenge, requiring constant networking and job searching.
- Full-time:
- Pluses: Typically provides stability, a steady income, and comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. It often offers more opportunities for career advancement, professional development, and job security. Full-time employees may also benefit from a structured work environment and a sense of belonging to a team or organization.
- Minuses: Can be more rigid in terms of schedule and may require longer working hours or overtime. It may offer less flexibility in terms of choosing projects or managing work-life balance. Some individuals may find the routine nature of full-time employment limiting or less suitable for their lifestyle preferences.
I generally prefer to have a more flexible schedule so I’d like to seek roles that allow for that. I plan to keep my living expenses as low as possible to allow for more flexibility and experimentation, which I hope would ultimately allow for a variety of work experiences. Then I’d be given the ability to refine to what works best for my personal goals, values and longterm needs as a designer.
Three job postings for Contract/Agency work:
- https://www.indeed.com/q-freelance-contract-graphic-designer-jobs.html?aceid=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmZejBhC_ARIsAGhCqne3wFBoSYwinv0X5J3Mz1yoZeQ2n7YAZhaGtchmFolaL0q4BHjg6ZIaAttVEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&vjk=361da37ed7b675b5
- https://www.indeed.com/q-freelance-contract-graphic-designer-jobs.html?aceid=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmZejBhC_ARIsAGhCqne3wFBoSYwinv0X5J3Mz1yoZeQ2n7YAZhaGtchmFolaL0q4BHjg6ZIaAttVEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&vjk=1ceca185daa88383
- https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search/?currentJobId=3604504650&f_WT=2&keywords=graphic%20design%20contract&refresh=true