The life of an army spouse is a unique blend of pride, sacrifice, and resilience. Amidst the rigors of managing kids and household chores, showing up at ladies’ club, taking out time for Troopes Families Welfare Complex (TFWC) engagements, attending various occasions either solo or accompanied with one’s uniformed partner are to name a few. However, amidst this fast-paced lifestyle, there is a valuable chance for personal and financial development through the world of freelancing.
Freelancing has become a great option for a lot of people in the current fast-moving and frequently changing career path. A number of options such as self-employment, project choice as well as determining one’s working hours have played a part in drawing more people towards such kind of work. Nevertheless, being a freelancer poses various challenges which are catered to by National Science & Technology Park (NSTP), where amidst the buzzing hive of innovation, one may bear witness to the birth of pioneering startups.
Unlike conventional employment, freelancing provides a distinctive aggregation of self-government and flexibility. Most people would rather work on their own terms, either regarding place or the manner of operation. It is this kind of independence that allows them to customize a workplace that is in line with their individual choices ranging from being at home offices to operating from cafés or even working as they travel. This ability to glide through the journey of freelancing can produce higher job satisfaction and a greater sense of achievement.
Freelancing and Youth
If Pakistan’s young generation, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of its total population begins working online, it could go a long way in developing the economy and lifting the professional skills at both personal and societal levels. The future of education is now evolving from getting a traditional degree to tech-savvy abilities, E-commerce and self-employment. The young generation must be equipped to make productive use of technological skill instead of wasting their time in unproductive online ventures.
Staying Ahead
To stay ahead of the curve as a freelancer, one must adopt a proactive and strategic approach. Marketing oneself effectively is crucial. This includes creating a professional portfolio, maintaining a strong online presence, and networking with potential clients and peers. Setting competitive rates that reflect the quality of work and market standards is also essential for financial sustainability. While completing projects, meeting deadlines and time management is critical to maintain an appealing portfolio. Also, freelancers must continue learning new proficiencies as well as stay updated on latest avenues of freelancing emerging in the gig world, if they want to remain relevant and competitive in their niche.
The skills to be learnt in the domain of freelancing may range from content writing to graphic designing, from web development to digital marketing, from blogging to search engine optimization and many more, the opportunities are endless. However, an invaluable lesson about life is that that we have to persevere in life, come what may.
Traversing the Freelance Hurdles
Freelancing like any other occupation has its own barriers and complications. There are times when one might feel totally exasperated with oneself. However, one should not give up but keep moving on as it makes one adaptive to uncertain situations. It also helps in redirecting one’s purpose and seeing hindrances as opportunities that lead to development.
In other words, freelancing, despite its benefits, poses challenges that one should be aware of and address any obstacles that may come one’s way. The most important among these challenges is the irregular job opportunities and earnings. While permanent workers get paid monthly or weekly with no exception, freelancers have to look for fresh customers and assignments continually so as to have consistent cash inflow. This uncertainty can be stressful and demands strong financial management skills. Moreover, freelance work often has no access to many traditional job security mechanisms such as health care coverage, pension schemes, or paid vacation. They may also feel isolation working independently all the time and physically disconnected from the traditional professional community. As the gig economy continues to evolve, the future of freelancing looks promising yet complex. Technological advancements are likely to further enable remote work and collaboration, broadening the opportunities for freelancers across various industries.
Digital platforms and marketplaces will continue to connect freelancers with clients worldwide, enhancing accessibility and convenience. However, economic fluctuations and regulatory changes could impact the freelancing landscape, necessitating adaptability and foresight. Freelancers must stay informed about industry trends and be prepared to pivot their strategies as needed. The increasing recognition of freelancing as a viable and legitimate career choice may also lead to improved support systems and resources for independent workers in future.
Evolving Landscape of Freelancing
In Pakistan, given the societal norms and conditions, most women are restricted from traditional employment. The Pakistan Army has undertaken number of praiseworthy endeavors to provide training and support in freelancing skills to the families of all officers and soldiers. This will enable them to work online and earn income from the convenience of their homes.
At present, resurgence of Information Technology (IT) has been identified by the Pakistan Army as one of the prime economy boosting cardinals. In the ever-changing digital landscape, harnessing potential of army personnel’s wards or spouses to thrive in digital economy is of paramount significance to play their role in currently evolving society. The initiative has been taken to provide free of cost enabling environment along with co-working space that fosters creativity and self-reliance among wards and spouses of officers and soldiers. This will help them manage the respectable life style under current inflation besides contributing in the country’s economy.
With this objective in mind, dedicated IT centers with fully equipped computer labs for males (E-cottage) and females (E-women) are being established in Okara Garrison at Al-Burq Finishing School (AFS), to empower the wards and spouses of military personnel with freelancing skills. For this purpose, AFS has been converted into Al-Burq E-Business Hub under the guidance and supervision of Garrison Commander Okara.
Freelance journey is a rich and varied experience, characterized by both independence and challenges. Embracing this path requires a blend of passion, strategy, and resilience. As the nature of work continues to transform, freelancing stands out as a dynamic and rewarding option for those willing to navigate its complexities. By understanding the intricacies of freelancing and adopting best practices, individuals can successfully carve out a fulfilling and sustainable career.
Almas Fazal, an emerging author, brings a wealth of expertise in Human Resource Management and freelancing.
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