by Stephan Maldonado | August 06, 2018
Re-posted from Vault

For many people, freelancing represents the final frontier of career progression, something they’ve been working towards their entire career. [and for some it represents a starting point into the career of your dreams] Freelancing holds numerous possibilities. Autonomy. Flexibility. Control over the projects you take on. And the ability to chart your own course.

Every year, more and more people join this growing sector of the workforce. The gig economy, of which freelancing is a part, encompasses more 55 million U.S. workers. That’s 35 percent of the American workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and that fraction is expected to reach 43 percent by 2020.

Indeed, freelancing is becoming a significant part of our economy, making it an exciting time to become a freelancer. Nonetheless, taking this step can feel like a leap of faith. The uncertainty and steep learning curve freelancing brings requires careful thought and, above all, planning. [READ MORE to learn about the] seven things everyone should consider before becoming a freelancer.