The Surprising way I started my Freelancing Career
Before we begin, I want to first note that I’m not advocating that you lie on your next job application… but with that disclaimer out of the way, I want to share the story of the surprising way I started my freelance career as a video producer. As an undergraduate student, as part of my global studies degree, there was a compulsory overseas semester that we had to complete, and I did mine in Canada. While I was studying in Canada, I was doing a Global Development class, and one of the weekly tasks we had to do was look up potential jobs that we might be suitable for on the “Ethical Jobs Canada” website. Being Australian, I decided to instead browse the “Ethical Jobs Australia” website to see what types of jobs existed in my field back home. I found one job that I thought I was particularly suited for; a video producer for a development campaign.
I went over the job description and thought, ‘yep that’s perfect for me,’ before writing my weekly reflection about the potential job I’d found. Then, I thought about actually applying for the position.
I loved editing videos, and it was a hobby I’d picked up when I was about 10 years old and I discovered Windows Movie Maker on my laptop. Then, a few years later when my family got a Mac desktop computer, I was introduced to iMovie, which had even more features I could add to my home videos, like the Green Screen effect, which I used with the help of a lime green sheet from my brother’s bed. Since then, I’d grown my YouTube channel to about 10,000 followers creating travel videos, so I was a pretty confident editor.
The only problem was that I didn’t meet one key criteria; “proficiency using video editing software such as Adobe Premier Pro or Final Cut Pro.” At the time, I was still editing my videos with iMovie. But, I decided that since it was a volunteer position, I could shoot my proverbial shot, and deal with that later. So, I put together my entire application video using iMovie, which took HOURS to make it look professional. When my video was accepted, and shared as part of the campaign on International Day of the Girl Child, I was faced with my first real challenge: learning how to use Final Cut Pro.
I opted for Final Cut Pro because in all honesty, it was a one-off payment of as opposed to the ongoing subscription with the Adobe suite. And I taught myself everything I now know about editing videos on Final Cut through hundreds of YouTube Videos. Of course, if I’d known about platforms like Skillshare, that would have been my preferred method of learning. Learning new skills can be daunting, especially if you’re starting from scratch. That’s why Skillshare is such a valuable resource – it offers high-quality video tutorials on a wide range of topics, taught by industry experts. No matter what your level of experience, you’re sure to find lessons that are tailored to your needs. And because each class is broken down into bite-size pieces, you can easily fit learning into your busy schedule. Best of all, with Skillshare’s flexible monthly membership plan, you can try out as many classes as you like without breaking the bank. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how easy and enjoyable it is to pick up new skills.
There’s no denying that a formal education can give your career a boost. But you can teach yourself many of the same skills, and in some cases, these self-taught skills might just give you the edge over your competition. Here are four valuable skills that you can teach yourself using a platform like Skillshare:
- How to code – Coding is a highly sought-after skill in many industries. And with so many free resources available online, there’s no excuse not to learn this valuable skill. Whether you want to build websites or create apps, learning how to code will give you a major advantage in the job market.
- How to design – Even if you’re not planning on working as a graphic designer, learning design principles can be incredibly helpful in any career. Design skills will help you create better resumes, presentations, and other materials that will make you stand out from the crowd.
- How to write – Strong writing skills are essential regardless of your chosen profession. Whether you’re crafting emails, creating marketing materials, or writing reports, being able to communicate clearly and effectively will help you succeed in any field.
- How to network – Networking is key to career success. But it’s not always easy to know how to network effectively. By teaching yourself how to network, you’ll be able to make valuable connections that can help you land your dream job or advance your career.
You can get a free Skillshare premium trial thanks to HCN below:
SkillShare – Humanitarian Changemakers Network
SkillShare Skillshare is an online learning platform with a vast array of courses covering everything from design and business to cooking and photography. Unlike some other online learning platforms, Skillshare offers its courses on a subscription basis, which means that you can take as many courses as you want for one monthly fee.
