While there are many freelancers out there, only some people are going to understand the freelance lifestyle. Even with the online world changing as much as it has, some professionals still believe that freelance careers are side hustles only. They think staff positions in corporate settings are the only “real” jobs. Does that make us see freelancing any differently? Let’s take a look and find out.

The ultimate “battle” between freelance and staff positions

To be honest with you, I don’t get the animosity between corporate and freelance positions. Why are we expected to see it as one versus the other? Spoiler alert: there is no battle. There are just people with opinions that share them online. Allow me to add to that number with a few core points I’ve learned over the years.

• Freelancing isn’t shameful: There are great benefits to freelancing that make it a genuine, prideful career. No longer is freelancing slang for a side hustle or just a hobby. After all, freelancing is nothing new. We’ve had freelance journalists and freelance photographers for years. Why can’t we have freelance writers and graphic designers, too? All deserve the same respect!

• Corporate positions are secure: Staff positions bring a very real benefit that can be challenging to start with in freelancing: security. Most staff positions, if you can land them, have contracts or, at the very least, severance pay. It means that you will know that a paycheque is coming in or that, if you are terminated, you are entitled to enough financial security to find something else. That kind of security with freelancing often takes a while to find.

• You can be your own boss with freelancing: Of course, working for yourself has major benefits. You’re never yelled at if you’re late for work, you can work from anywhere you want to, and you never have to report your day’s work to anyone (other than your customer). These are just a few of the many benefits of being self-employed.

• Being a staffed employee has tangible benefits: One of the things that I myself really like about corporate positions is that there are established benefits that factor into real life. For example, vacation time, sick days, and weekends. Those things can be extremely difficult to arrange in freelancing without taking a financial hit. However, staff positions have them literally written into their contracts and, in many places, laws.

Why can’t we all be friends?

The way that I see it is that it shouldn’t be a battle between staff positions and freelance positions. Both have essential pros and cons that make them great allies, not competitors. You’re essentially comparing apples and oranges.

Side note: if you’ve read my book, you may remember this analogy, and it’s a very similar comparison!

Those are my thoughts on understanding the differences between corporate and freelance positions. What about you? Do you find there is competition or even disdain between the two? Do you have any thoughts on the differences? If so, share them below!