Learn key differences between freelance and full-time community organizing roles to kickstart your career with confidence.

One thing I've found helpful in the early stages of freelance work is to treat the work itself as your full time job. What that means is disciplining yourself to sit in front of the computer and to engage in meaningful networking/project acquisition. It's hard to do which is why many freelancers give up.

Last updated on Jul 23, 2024

Here's how you can navigate the differences between freelance and full-time community organizing.

Community organizing is a vital skill that can be applied in various work settings, including freelance and full-time positions. While both avenues aim to foster community engagement and advocate for social change, navigating between them can be challenging due to their inherent differences. Whether you're beginning a career in community organizing or looking to shift between these work styles, understanding the distinctions can help you make informed decisions and thrive in your role.

1 Freelance Flexibility

When freelancing, you enjoy a significant level of flexibility. You can choose which projects to take on and manage your schedule. This autonomy allows you to work with multiple communities or causes concurrently, which can broaden your experience and skill set. However, this freedom comes with the responsibility of finding your own work, handling administrative tasks, and ensuring a steady income. To succeed, you'll need to be self-motivated, organized, and adept at networking to secure new opportunities and maintain a consistent workflow.

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Rehmoz Ayub

Co-Founder @ Mach Alpha | Aerospace Engineer, STEM Education
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One thing I've found helpful in the early stages of freelance work is to treat the work itself as your full time job. What that means is disciplining yourself to sit in front of the computer and to engage in meaningful networking/project acquisition. It's hard to do which is why many freelancers give up.

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Nuru Mohammed

Nutrition and SBCC Specialist
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- It also enables us to select the community we work with too, working in a local community where we are common with their culture, norms and language creates more trust and effectiveness. Understanding the motives and barriers in that community is also very important.

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2 Full-Time Structure

Full-time community organizing positions offer a more structured environment. You'll likely work for a single organization with a specific mission, which can provide a sense of stability and allow you to delve deeply into one community or issue area. Full-time roles usually come with benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, which are not typically provided in freelance work. Embrace the opportunity to build long-term relationships and leverage organizational resources, but be prepared to adhere to the policies and procedures of your employer.

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3 Income Considerations

Income is a major factor when choosing between freelance and full-time community organizing. Freelancers often face variable income streams, which can lead to financial instability. To mitigate this, you must be proficient in budgeting and saving during more lucrative periods. Conversely, full-time positions provide a consistent salary, but may offer less potential for rapid income growth. Consider your financial needs and goals when deciding which path aligns with your lifestyle and career aspirations.

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Rehmoz Ayub

Co-Founder @ Mach Alpha | Aerospace Engineer, STEM Education
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In my experience, you need to have a little bit of financial stability in order to start working as a freelancer. Ironically, to make money using freelancing, you have to buy memberships which are monthly recurring expenses (they don't matter if you're making much but initially they do leave an impact). A way to do this is to have enough savings to support yourself for 3 months before you quit your full-time job for freelancing.

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4 Skill Development

Skill development is crucial in community organizing. As a freelancer, you're exposed to diverse projects that can help you quickly build a broad range of skills and adapt to different community needs. In contrast, full-time positions may offer more in-depth training opportunities and professional development within the organization. Assess your learning style and career goals to determine if you prefer the variety of freelance challenges or the focused growth of full-time work.

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Rehmoz Ayub

Co-Founder @ Mach Alpha | Aerospace Engineer, STEM Education
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Full time offers depth. Which can be helpful in managing highly technical roles. Freelancing mostly has diverse projects making you familiar with different skillsets but may not be extremely in depth. I advise a 'T' skillset. It means you have diverse experience with different tools and skills but have an indepth knowledge of at least one skill. The choice of that skill is up to you.

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Engr. Chaudhry Awais Ahmed, B.E. Aerospace

Aerospace Engineer | AI-Enthusiast | Writer | Author | Senior Content Writer | Institute of Space Technology (IST)
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If a fully remote, comfortable, and less mentally straining freelance job pays more than sitting for straight 9 hours in office, go for a freelance job to build your financial backbone. Once this is done, Research and Network to find opportunities that come with both polishing your skillset and providing financial security. Become "Jack of All Trades" if it's necessary but have something 'special' that only you can provide. Just remember, only flexible trees survive a windstorm. So don't run after extremes. Good luck.

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5 Work-Life Balance

Achieving work-life balance can differ significantly between freelance and full-time community organizing. Freelancers must be diligent in setting boundaries to prevent work from spilling into personal time. This requires discipline and the ability to say no to projects that may overextend your capacity. Full-time organizers often have clearer separation between work and personal life, but may find it challenging to disconnect from ongoing community issues. Reflect on your personal boundaries and needs to choose a path that supports your well-being.

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6 Career Progression

Lastly, consider the trajectory of your career progression. Freelancing can offer rapid advancement through diverse experiences and self-directed growth, but it may lack the clear promotional pathways found in full-time roles. Full-time positions often have more defined ladders for advancement within an organization. Think about where you see yourself in the future and how each option might help you reach your long-term career objectives.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can navigate the differences between freelance and full-time community organizing.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Freelance Flexibility

2 Full-Time Structure

3 Income Considerations

4 Skill Development

5 Work-Life Balance

6 Career Progression

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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Here's how you can navigate the differences between freelance and full-time community organizing.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Freelance Flexibility

2 Full-Time Structure

3 Income Considerations

4 Skill Development

5 Work-Life Balance

6 Career Progression

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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