Introduction
In an ever-growing digital world, the idea of sitting at an office desk for 8 hours and doing the same work every day might seem mundane to some people.
On the other hand, freelancing is like being a free agent on the job market, where you have the freedom to choose your projects and clients, much like a professional athlete who can sign with different teams. As a freelancer, you have more freedom than a traditional corporate employee. You can decide with whom to work when to work, where to work, and your rates — essentially, how much you’re worth. With the freedom to work anywhere your heart desires and the chance of becoming your own boss, many have shifted to the freelancing world to seek better employability and diverse prospects.
Here are the top 10 reasons why freelancing in the energy sector can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice:
- Diverse Opportunities
The energy sector is vast and encompasses various fields, including renewable energy, oil and gas, energy efficiency, and more. Freelancers can find a wide range of projects and assignments to work on. Freelancing also allows people to work for different clients or companies, showing them a bit of a glimpse of what it feels like to work in multiple places without committing full-time.
2. Growing Demands
The energy industry is always changing, and with the rising global need for both sustainable and traditional energy, there is a growing demand for specialized skills and expertise. Freelancers with relevant knowledge can find a constant flow of projects. It’s safe to say that freelancers in energy will never run out of jobs because there will always be something new for them every day.
3. Flexibility & Autonomy
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to choose projects and clients, enabling you to tailor your work to align perfectly with your passions and expertise. Whether it’s in oil and gas, renewable energy, power, or marine, the opportunities for the energy sector are endless and you can choose what type of projects you want, which clients you want to work with, and where you want to execute it.
4. Remote Work
Freelancing comes with its perks; notably the chance of working remotely. Say goodbye to early mornings catching the bus to the office or spending 12 hours a day on a project site. advancements in technology, digital communication tools, and remote collaboration platforms have made it feasible for many energy sector roles to be performed effectively from home.
5. Competitive Earnings
Freelancers in the energy industry often have the potential to earn competitive rates, especially for specialized or technical projects. You can bid on various projects, allowing you to explore a diverse range of opportunities and seek higher-paying jobs that match your expertise. Additionally, by showcasing your skills and delivering high-quality work, you can build a strong reputation in the industry, attracting more clients and potentially commanding premium rates for your services.
6. Skill Utilisation
Are you a fresh grad not knowing how to showcase your skills? Or are you perhaps looking for more work opportunities without the need to move cities or countries for it? Freelancing and the ability to work remotely allow you to easily apply your skills and expertise in the energy sector without geographical limitations.
7. Global Reach
The idea of working for a global company sounds exciting but not everyone has the financial means or opportunity to relocate to another place. The energy sector operates on a global scale, providing freelancers the chance to collaborate with clients and projects from different countries, expanding their horizons from the comfort of their own homes.
8. Reduced Costs
Freelancing in the energy sector can lead to reduced costs for both freelancers and the companies that hire them. For freelancers, they can sometimes work remotely. In this case, it allows them to save up on transportation and even meal costs. Granted, the latter is probably only realistic for those who have the resources to cook, which include time and ironically, energy.
9. Entrepreneurial Experience
When you freelance, you can basically be your own boss. It gives you a taste of entrepreneurship and the opportunity to build your brand and reputation in the energy industry. Some freelancing agencies even help you set up your own freelance company, allowing you to build your own platform and attract clients you want to work with.
10. Networking Opportunities
As a freelancer, you have the chance to work with diverse clients in the energy sector, including companies, organisations, and individuals. Each project presents an opportunity to establish new connections and showcase your skills. The freelancing world allows you to expand your network and establish yourself to be a high-demand freelancer.
Real Success Stories
Freelancing has opened up successful career paths for many individuals. At Trees Engineering, the #1 engineering freelance marketplace for talents in energy, freelancers were able to hone their skills and work for top clients in the marketplace.
...you are more in control of how much you earn...
Farhan Rosdi - Senior Electrical Engineer
Farhan shared his experience freelancing, noting that he now has "more time and freedom" compared to being a regular employee. Financially, Farhan earns more as a freelancer.
Janet Vitalis - Senior Structural Engineer
Starting her freelancing journey in March 2023, Janet has expressed a smooth transition in her career path. “As energy is a fast-paced industry, it’s easy to upskill yourself by being involved in as many projects as you can. Being a freelancer, I can easily move from one project (or organisation) to another, with no strings attached. Other than that, you are more in control of how much you earn hourly, weekly, monthly or even annually.” she said.
Conclusion
Is freelancing the future of work? Is freelancing in energy worth it? The answer is yes. In most cases, freelancers can earn more per hour than full-time employees. While they won’t get the benefits of working full-time, 44% of freelancers made more money than they did when employed at a traditional job.
The energy sector is a great place to start freelancing if you’re a professional looking for a change of pace in work or a fresh grad wanting to start a dynamic career path in energy. Interested in being a part of a growing freelancing community in energy? Trees Engineering is the perfect marketplace for you! Sign up now and connect with major EPC companies like GE, Worley and Technip Energies.