As many of you know, working as a full-time
employee can have many benefits, but just as many drawbacks. The bond
of loyalty that once
held employer and employee together continues to deteriorate and the
situation only grows worse. Perhaps it is time to reconsider the concept
of employment and what it means to be an employee. Instead of constantly
reaching for the brass ring of “employment”, high-tech
workers might find better career opportunities awaiting them on the
freelance side of the equation.
Whole New World
Over the last 10 years, many business pundits have dared employees
to think like freelancers or think like owners. Stock incentive plans
and performance-based pay have developed as a way for employees to
feel that they have a stake in a company. I believe, though, that for
high-tech workers, the whole world has changed. The very nature of
your work provides a singular opportunity to stop “acting” like
owners, but to actually be an owner. Instead of waiting to see what
your company is going to do to your job, your office, and your peers,
it is time to be proactive and develop your own plans for the future.
For anyone working in a high-tech career today, I would recommend that
you immediately start investigating how to turn your job into a “contract” position.
You owe it to yourself to take an active role in your career beyond
simply hoping that your current company will continue to be profitable.
You need to make a bold move for the future before someone
makes it for you.In control
The goal in pursuing a contract relationship with your employers is
freedom. The freedom to work on “WOW Projects” (Thanks,
Tom Peters), the freedom to choose the direction of your career and
the freedom to break from the exclusivity of working for one employer.
Instead of tying all your dreams to one company, you need the ability
to spread your work over a number of independent companies. Instead
of the “single source” employer, you gain the freedom to
shop your talents where they have the most impact and where you have
the most fun.
How will your company respond to your idea? The answers will vary as
much as the companies themselves. Perhaps your company is looking to
reduce its bottom line and will embrace the idea. Another company might
see it as disloyal and show you the door. In another, your questions
might be the first time they have thought of such an idea. Regardless
of the response, though, you must investigate the possibility. High-tech
pundits have been proclaiming “the sky is falling” for
years, now. Work will never be the same. I believe that is exactly
the case, but many companies simply haven’t figured it out. Worse
still, many will never figure it out and take their employees to the
bottom with them. I trust that, if you have been reading my columns,
you will understand the urgency of finding a new path. The world has
changed and you need to embrace it in the best way possible.
Problems
As I am sure you are thinking, there are problems involved in breaking
out on your own. You take on a host of new responsibilities when
you do so.. Health care is a mess at the moment, but the situation
is worsening
even if you are a full-time employee. Some of you might be lucky
enough to have healthcare through a partner, but, more than likely,
you will
have to get creative about financing and maintaining your health insurance.
You have to worry about finding the next project and the next and the
next, but isn’t that more interesting than sitting in your cubicle “putting
in the hours” but not producing anything? You do have to actively
go out and sell yourself and your ideas, but isn’t that better
than waiting for the usually mis-guided and unfair performance review
by someone who probably doesn’t even know what you do.
Sure, life outside can seem scary, but less so if you consider the
world you are working in today. If you are feeling trapped in your
current position, get out. If you find yourself desiring more than
the typical 9-5 can offer, get out. If you want the best life for
yourself, get out.
On the worst days, it might not seem like people respect your skills,
your energy and even you as a person, but I can guarantee you, there
are companies looking for your skills, your mind and your energy.
There are projects that desperately need your talents. There is
a totally
different concept of work awaiting you. Your goal is to break out
of the mold of the last hundred years and find it.
Comments, Questions, Reviews?
Career
Opportunities
