Hire Yourself

Working for Yourself Post-College is a Smart Option

After graduating, I dreamt about working for myself and after applying for dozens of jobs only to hear crickets, being my own boss and drumming up an income sounded incredibly tempting.

However, I did end up landing a job. It was in marketing, which wasn’t the direction I had planned to go in, but it would suffice—or so I thought.

Truth be told, it was the best job I could have asked for. Not only did I have a boss who was willing to teach an English major how to write for business (those in journalism, communications and marketing fields will understand me on this front—it’s a very different type of writing), but I also learned incredibly valuable lessons simply by heading into an office every day. I learned what it meant to be part of a team, how to behave (and how not to behave—trust me) in a professional setting, how to work with others in the larger business community and how being a jack or jill-of-all-trades could be a good thing.

I gained skills that I use to this very day—nearly four years after leaving my steady marketing job to work for myself. I also continue to benefit from the contacts I made at that first job. I’ve ended up with freelance clients I met seven years ago and they’ve hired me knowing I could deliver.​

Producing your own work matters.

If nothing else, producing your own work—whether it’s related to your field or not—is incredibly important for your portfolio. Hobby or industry-related projects that you pursue and complete show that you’re driven, you’re ready to work hard and you know how to collaborate.

Regardless of what career field you choose to pursue, here are a few things to consider before heading into entrepreneurship:

How do I know if I should work for myself?

That’s a question only you can answer, but I do want to note that there are benefits and drawbacks to both scenarios. Working for yourself—though often glorified—is no picnic. It’s incredibly difficult to feel financially stable and staying motivated and on task is a constant challenge.

Read this great article from LifeHacker to understand the realities of being your own boss.

What if it’s just temporary?

Can’t find work so you’re working for yourself in the interim? Good for you! As I mentioned in Chapter 6, looking for work is a job in and of itself, but if you have an opportunity to be your own boss until something else comes through, I say go for it!

The best way to go about this sort of limbo phase is to be open and honest with all parties involved. For your freelance clients, be sure to let them know you’re in the process of looking for full-time work and that—should you land a position—your availability may change.

Similarly, if you land an interview, you’ll want to let prospective employers know that you’ll either wrap up your freelance work or (if applicable) that you’ll be continuing to work with freelance clients on the side.

What if my work isn’t related to my field of study?

Here’s the thing: We humans are a multifaceted bunch. If you’re a lawyer who likes to paint, who am I to tell you to pick one over the other? Generally, one will end up out-competing the other for the majority of your time and attention, but I see nothing wrong with pursuing both avenues and seeing what wins out.

Can’t I have a full-time job and a side hustle?

Absolutely! However, it can be tricky if you head in a particularly corporate direction for full-time work. Some employers, on the other hand, are completely okay with their employees pursuing work on the side as long as there is no conflict of interest. Again, the best policy is to sit down with the powers that be to discuss all of your options.

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“Hire Yourself: Working for Yourself Post-College is a Smart Option” is an excerpt from College Was Great! Now What?, a Snippet by Jennifer E. Snyder. Jennifer is a professional content creator who loves adventure and focuses on her family, friends, traveling, exploring, and simply enjoying life. Click here for the full version of College Was Great! Now What?, which includes engaging audio and video content that will open your eyes to new perspectives and possibilities for a career and life after graduation.