For most beginners, a first job or internship teaches faster: code reviews, real systems and senior engineers. Freelancing can work early if you already have a sellable skill and treat it like a business, but it is slower to start and lonelier to learn from. Many people do best with a job first and freelancing on the side.
What people tell me
I am a student or fresh graduate and I see many people around me earning in dollars from Fiverr and Upwork. Local starting salaries feel low compared to what they post, so freelancing looks tempting. But I have never had a client, I am not sure my skills are good enough, and I worry that freelancing without a job will leave gaps in my learning. I cannot decide which way to go first.
A composite of the messages behind this question, with personal details left out.
Key takeaways
- A job teaches engineering habits that freelancing rarely does early on: reviews, larger codebases, teamwork.
- Freelancing platforms reward reviews and history. The first few clients are the hardest part.
- Freelancing works best with a narrow, sellable skill and a portfolio of similar work.
- Both paths can pay in dollars eventually. Remote jobs are another route once you have experience.
- A common strong pattern: job first, small freelance work on the side, then decide.
Why this question comes up so often
In Pakistan and similar markets, the gap between local fresher salaries and what some freelancers report earning in dollars is large and visible. It is natural to ask why you should take a modest local job when a platform could pay you more. The honest answer is that the people posting big numbers are usually a few years in, with a narrow niche and a long review history. Their first months often looked very different.
What each path teaches you
| Area | First job | Freelancing first |
|---|---|---|
| Code quality | Reviews from senior engineers | Only what you teach yourself |
| Scale of systems | Larger codebases, real production | Usually small, self-contained projects |
| Income at the start | Steady, often modest | Uncertain, can be zero for months |
| Skills beyond code | Teamwork, process, planning | Sales, client handling, pricing, communication |
| Resume signal for later jobs | Strong and easy to read | Good if presented well, weaker for some employers |
| Flexibility | Limited | High |
Neither column is better in every row. The question is which one you need more right now.
When freelancing first makes sense
- You already have a clear skill a client will pay for: websites for small businesses, Shopify or WordPress setup, data cleaning, scraping public data, simple mobile apps, UI work.
- You have three or more portfolio pieces that look like what clients want.
- You can cope with irregular income for a few months.
- You enjoy talking to clients and are comfortable writing proposals.
When a job first makes sense
- You still struggle to build things end to end without help.
- You want to work at product companies or move into roles like backend, data or AI engineering, where team experience matters.
- You want mentorship and code reviews.
- You need steady income.
For most people I talk to who are just starting, the job side wins at the beginning. If the offer is low, Should I accept a low-paying first job or internship in tech? covers how to judge it.
If you try freelancing, do it like a business
- Pick one narrow offer. "Landing pages for clinics" beats "any web development".
- Build three sample projects that look exactly like what you will sell.
- Write a clear profile focused on the client's problem, not your list of technologies.
- Price to win the first few reviews, then raise prices steadily.
- Use written scopes and milestones. Even simple agreements help; the Freelancers Union contract creator is one template.
- Read the platform rules. The Upwork help center covers fees, payments and disputes. Payment withdrawal options and fees vary by country, so check what works where you live before you start.
The freelance web developer guide is a useful long read on finding clients beyond the big platforms.
The combined route
Many people do this:
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | First 12 to 24 months | Full-time job, learn from the team, build a track record |
| 2 | Alongside | One or two small freelance projects a quarter, within your employment contract rules |
| 3 | After that | Decide: grow freelancing, move to a remote role, or keep climbing locally |
This gives you steady income, strong engineering habits and a freelance history at the same time. Check your employment contract before taking outside work.
A 30-day experiment if you are unsure
| Week | Freelance track | Job track |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pick one narrow offer, study ten successful profiles in that niche | Update resume, list 30 target companies |
| 2 | Build one sample project for that offer | Apply to 15 roles, message 10 engineers |
| 3 | Create your profile, send 10 thoughtful proposals | Apply to 15 more, prepare for interviews |
| 4 | Review: replies, conversations, any client? | Review: replies, interviews, offers? |
At the end, you have real data on which path is working for you, not just other people's posts.
Signs your choice is working after three months
Whichever path you pick, check these signals after about three months:
- Freelancing: you have at least two or three completed contracts, positive reviews and repeat or referred work starting to appear. If you have sent many proposals and still have no clients, the offer, portfolio or pricing needs changing, or a job may serve you better for now.
- Job: you are getting code reviews, learning new parts of the system and being trusted with slightly bigger tasks each month. If you are doing the same small task repeatedly with no feedback, start planning your next move while you keep building skills.
Common mistakes
- Offering everything to everyone.
- Copying proposal templates word for word.
- Underpricing forever instead of only for the first few reviews.
- Stopping learning because client work is repetitive.
- Treating freelancing and jobs as permanent choices. You can switch later.
If you are still stuck
If the real goal is earning in dollars, read How do I find a remote software job that pays in dollars?, which covers the job route to the same outcome. To talk through your skills and which path fits, join Sefism. It is free to learn, you receive credits on joining, and as a member you can book a 1:1 session or ask your own question.
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