My
friend Deanna was talking about going to college to earn a degree
in Human Services. She has always been a “supporter” of
all those less fortunate. She feels a career in this field would
easily meet her career expectations allowing her to help children
in need. Deanna, like I am, is about to be out of a job in a few
months and is currently assessing her skills and strengths. Deanna
knows she is the person everyone goes to when they need someone
to talk to. She has a knack for getting children to talk to her
when the do not want to talk to anyone else. Her career goal is
a perfect fit, except for the fact that Deanna sometimes becomes
too involved in the problems of other people. Deanna knows she will
only be happy when she can save us all, she also knows she can handle
it. She knows what she would have to deal with. A big concern for
those of us who know her is that she will bring it home with her
every night.
This
is a big concern for me in looking into freelance work. I will be
at home…all the time. My work is at home with me whether I
like it or not. Is this something I can do? Will I be able to focus,
or will I feel the need to refill the dog’s water bowls 20
times a day? What if I stay home and all I want to do is play solitaire?
That probably won’t pay the bills ( although I do hear there
may be some money to be made in internet solitaire tournaments).
I am used to working with a number of people, having a clear idea
of what my role is. As a manager I was in charge of 20 people and
their day to day business. As a trainer, I was in charge of training
and project work. These roles were varied and interesting, yet those
around me were working with me towards a common goal. To please
our customer. In freelancing of course my goal will be to please
the customer, but all of the pleasing is on me, I don’t get
to delegate that to some one else. I
have been thinking a lot about what I need to remain focused on
not just work, but doing really good work. I need some competition.
We all know that freelance writing is highly competitive, however
how do I know who’s getting the work I want? There are some
bulletin boards and chats out there for professional writers. I
have checked out a few of these boards. The good news is that there
seems to be a lot of support of one another in the freelance community
that goes along with the stiff competition. Everyone has been there
or done what you are setting out to do, and are more than willing
to offer some advice on what you should try. The ideas of other
freelancers offer infinite possibilities on how to run your own
freelance career.
This
online community seems wonderful, but I think I am also going to
need the real thing, flesh and blood, living breathing human beings
on occasion. So, being new to the freelance world, where can I go
to meet people that do what I do? The exciting news is that while
helping Deanna with looking at some local schools, I found a university
offering a Professional Writing Bachelors program. I have less than
a few semesters to finish my degree in communications, my company
will pay for at least one semester of school until I am displaced
and this program will give me some contact with real live people
who have done freelance work in the real world or like me, are hoping
to do freelance and are looking for a good place to start. It is
perfect! The healthy competition of a campus environment, along
with living, breathing classmates! Of course, for now this returning
to college will not pay any bills either, so I need a plan on how
to do school and work.
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Jennifer Ravegum has been working for the last five years as a banking
manager and corporate trainer for customer service. The majority
of her writing includes promotional and educational works geared
towards employee service and performance. In her freelance writing
career she is focused on writing promotional and instructional materials
as well as non-fictional prose. Jennifer can be contacted at JenRav@msn.com
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