In the post-recession landscape, many young people encounter a lack of salaried full-time positions available to them and opt instead for a series of freelance or contract assignments that provide short-term bursts of employment and compensation. Here are the pros and cons of taking on freelance employment:

PRO

Freedom from corporate bullshit like dress codes and health insurance



Able to set own work/searching-for-work balance



Never leaving apartment guarantees a maximized return on cost of rent



Workplace gossip as juicy as you make it



Delightful surprise checks in the mail for projects you finished nine months ago



Flexible schedule means you’re always available to perform onerous favors for loved ones



Get to go weeks without uttering single word



CON



Family members only need so many logo designs



Federal workplace discrimination laws do not apply when someone takes your seat at coffee shop



Realization that the other people grocery shopping on a Tuesday morning in a relatively empty Trader Joe’s are now your cohort



Unable to join conversation when friends talk about their 401(k)s at parties



Opportunity to work from home less appealing when considering apartments in freelancer’s price range



Results in less consistent monthly income than that of your creditors, property management company



Completely unsustainable

