Freelancing is gaining popularity as a promising career option in the UAE, especially for young professionals starting their journey in Dubai. With competitive job markets, high-stress environments, and stagnant salaries, many are shifting their focus from job hunting to creating their opportunities.
Changing Career Dynamics in the UAE
Residents in the UAE often find their weekdays flying by in a routine blur until evening when work hours end. For many, freelancing is becoming an escape from the monotony, offering a way to take control of their professional lives.
Confidence is Key
For fresh graduates, freelancing provides a head start in their careers. Recent graduate and graphic designer Zaid Sami, who works a 9-to-5 job in Dubai’s JBR, has been freelancing on the side. He built a graphic design portfolio, learned social media marketing, and began attracting clients.
“Freelancing has its pros and cons,” says Sami. The freedom to choose projects, clients, and work schedules stands out as a significant advantage. However, he warns about low-paying offers in the saturated market and the need to recognize when companies undervalue your work. Despite challenges, Sami finds that many clients appreciate quality work and pay well, making freelancing rewarding for those who persevere.
A New Way of Working
Freelancing isn’t for everyone, but for some, it’s a lifestyle choice. Azeem Ahmed, a videographer, left his 9-to-5 job after three months to freelance full-time. The supportive ecosystem for freelancers in the UAE helped him transition. “Returning to a traditional job is not an option for me,” says Ahmed, who values the flexibility and personal growth freelancing offers.
Ahmed’s adaptability has been crucial in navigating the challenges of freelancing, including market competition and finding clients. The freedom he now enjoys outweighs the unpredictability of freelancing.
The Challenges of Freelancing
Not everyone thrives in freelancing. PR professional Lloyd Areco tried freelancing for three weeks before realizing it wasn’t for him. He found himself spending more time on administrative tasks like marketing and managing finances than on actual billable work.
Areco eventually returned to a full-time role at a communications agency, appreciating the stability, access to professional resources, and opportunities for growth that traditional jobs offer.
Freelancing or Full-Time?
Freelancing in the UAE offers unique benefits, such as flexibility and career independence, but it also demands resilience, financial management, and consistent effort to find clients. For some, like Sami and Ahmed, freelancing is a fulfilling career choice. For others, like Areco, the predictability and structured growth of a full-time job are more appealing.
As freelancing continues to grow in the UAE, it’s clear that this career path isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re drawn to the flexibility of freelancing or the stability of a 9-to-5, the UAE offers opportunities for both.
