How Gig Economy is Helping Telecom Freelance Engineers in Realizing their Dreams

Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” If you are a engineer pursuing employment in the Sharing Economy, then you should heed Einstein’s words. Experts agree that this is a revolutionary time that has birthed a new movement. If you are a telecom engineer, here are seven reasons why you can thrive as a freelancer.

Defining the Economy

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “But there is no definition of the ‘Gig Economy‘ or for that matter, a gig.”

But bestselling books like The Sharing Economy and the 4-Hour Workweek attest to the fact that some companies do not favor costly full-time positions. So part-time jobs, temporary assignments, self-employment, side gigs and on-demand work through online platforms mean career opportunities.

7 Advantages

So how does a telecom engineer benefit from this economy?

1. Acknowledge the Status Quo

Timing is everything and right now the market is hot. A lot has changed since the telecom bubble burst almost two decades ago. Now the economy is robust due to the fact that everyone on the planet has a smart phone, laptops and tablets.

“The private sector used to create and add jobs at the rate of 2 to 3 percent per year,” according to Diane Mulcahy, author of The Gig Economy. But these days, young business (startups headed by young, Millennials) create the majority of new jobs. Small businesses have lost their ranking as job creators.

2.Market Your In Demand Skills
When you work as a freelance engineer, you are focused on a particular position. You want to match your skill-set in network security, network design, fiber optics and telecommunications policy with the best career options. This type of laser like focus helps you get what you want the way you want it.

It also requires self-evaluation. What talent do you have? What skills or certification do you need?

3. Log on and Start Working
It’s never been easier for telecom freelancers to find jobs. With cutting-edge technologies ever looming over the horizon and massive amounts of data consumption being used, clients need a skilled engineer.

Upwork, Fieldengineer.com, and LinkedIn have freelance positions for engineers.

4. Become an Entrepreneur
Freelancing and entrepreneurship are inextricably linked. You are your own boss. You can take control, set your schedule and quote your rates. But if you have never had this level of autonomy, you may wonder what it looks like.

Of course, the answer is at your fingertips. Visit forums, take online courses, read a book, find a mentor or better yet, a sponsor. Join a master mind group.

5. Partner with a Recruiter
It may seem counterintuitive to hire a headhunter but it’s not. Recruiters are highly skilled career experts. Register with a reputable company and invest time with your representative. Stipulate your needs and goals. You do not have to be locked in to a yearlong 9-to-5 position, unless you want to.

6.Maximize Technology
The Internet and Social Media have made it possible for anyone to position themselves for career success. From making your profile attractive to recruiters to logging on to job boards, technology is a major factor.

Also, digital platforms offer large-scale labor markets that match workers with businesses in real-time.

7.Shift in Mindset
Flexibility, autonomy and a sense of purpose define the collective mentality. You expect a work/life balance and this new economy delivers it.

A study, Independent Work Choice, Necessity and the Gig Economy reports 162 million workers in Europe and the U.S. Free agents — employees who chose this type of work — reported greater levels of satisfaction in many areas.

So if you are a talented engineer in the telecommunications sector, weigh all of your options carefully. Then, just jump! Chances are you will land with both feet planted on solid ground and ready to tackle your next gig.