For many college students, finding professional experience in thier chosen field of study can be challenging and, sometimes, unrewarding. Many up-and-coming professionals have paid their dues working long hours completing menial tasks in payless internships, all in hopes of building a resume featuring prominent employers. However, students should know freelancing is an option that provides a professional experience with a profession pay rate.

Freelancing can be described as an individual who sells their services to companies without a long-term contract. Many professionals, especially in the areas of communication and event production make their living through freelancing. Cameramen, communicators, utility workers, photographers, runners, writers and electronic liaisons are just a few of the people hired by corporations on an individual job bases.

For students, the unstructured work schedule associated with freelancing provides opportunities that can be worked into a college agenda. Part-time, weekend and evening employment possibilities are common, and if students are willing to give up a few social weekends and learn to manage their time, numerous doors can be opened.

Ian Sullivan, A junior at Auburn University, has been freelancing with several large-scale sporting productions for over three years. The experience gained and contacts made have helped Sullivan establish himself as a professional in the industry before completing his degree.

“Freelancing teaches you more than a college classroom ever could,” Sullivan said. “You learn all the professional lingo and it has opened a lot of doors for me. I have found, the longer you have worked professionally, the more you get paid. So, I’ve chosen to work as much as a can and build up my pay rate before I get out of school. I think it was better for me to pay my dues and gain experience while still in school rather than my first years out, and it should help me get a better first full-time job.”

Sullivan has worked for NASCAR, ESPN, area football teams and SEC sports productions, and his pay rate has ranged from $80 to $500 a day.

“The bigger the company or production and my level of experience determine how much I’m paid. Anyone looking to freelance, however, should know there are ample opportunities to be paid well and freelancers should not settle for meager pay or benefits,” Sullivan said.

These ‘benefits’ come in the form of travel compensation and daily stipends. The companies that hire freelance employees are expected to pay a certain amount for travel to job sites and normal expenses encountered such as food and overnight stay if necessary.

The most challenging aspect of freelancing, however, is breaking into the industry. Unfortunately, there is no finite way to launch into freelance work. “Making contacts and networking really is the only way to get started,” Sullivan said. “It takes being bold and approaching people doing the jobs you want, passing on and exchanging e-mail addresses and continuing to express an interest in work to anyone able to pass your name up the chain of command.”

“After your first job, though, it becomes easier to find work,” Sullivan shared, “once a company has your information and has seen your dedication, typically, you will be contacted for future jobs with that company without having to ask.”

Long hours and an odd schedule are definitely characteristics of freelancing, but if this style of employment can be embraced, there are numerous opportunities to be had.

“My advice to anyone about to start a freelancing career would be,” Sullivan said, “be there on time, number one. Be prepared for the long hours depending on what field you work in, because you’ll probably be working 12 to 13 hour days. Ask as many questions as you can. If you don’t know anything don’t feel bad about not knowing it, just ask and don’t forget it. Talk to everyone you can and network.”

Freelancing is an enormous chance to work and be paid as a professional; however, students must be willing to confidently approach influential individuals and ask for an opportunity.