Working as a Freelance Translator Pros and Cons

How is it then, working as a freelance translator? Visited Helsinki a while ago for a Translator’s Day conference and started contemplating.

Every job brings some new knowledge. About life, machines, society. Nothing human or mechanic is alien to us.
Con: This does not mean just fun and games but also challenges and problems: it can also be exhausting and difficult. Once you’ve learned everything required about a certain subject matter, the next topic can be about something different. You just have to accept it, learn how to search for information efficiently and ask for help if required.

The work of a freelance translator can be lonely, especially if working alone at home. However, this is partially your own ~~fault~~ choice. The world is out there, you can always try to dive in – for example by going to work at a co-working space, participating in conferences, training events etc. After the pandemic, many events are now provided online as well, but you should still consider it worthwhile to go experience it live.
Pro: usually, there’s no one to disturb you either (if no family members are at home during the day). And no time is spent to waste at useless meetings you often hear people talking about.

As an entrepreneur, in particular as a translator of non-fictional documents where the project time span is rather short, you can never know if the day will be quiet or busy with urgent schedules. You grow used to this, but sometimes it would be nice to have more certainty in life. Having said this, is anything secure these days?
Pro: On the other hand, uncertainty also means a possibility of positive surprises: you never know, there might be something coming your way any minute – a new project, a new customer, new opportunities. Although it is not recommended to just sit and wait, it’s always better to actively look for opportunities or use the time for example by writing a blog.

The world is wide open as far as the words can reach. If you are overworked or the conditions of the project offered do not match your expectations, you can always refuse. If the sun is shining, you can go out for a run and continue working later in the evening. At least in theory, but of course there often are deadlines to attend to.
Con: this freedom can often also mean the freedom to work too late and during weekends.

Continuous rate negotiations although you’d like to just concentrate on your actual work. PEMT projects cause a new problem with this, as the level is still fluctuating to some extent.

Work feels meaningful as you do it all for yourself. And while at it, you can help make the world a better place to live, with texts the people encounter in their daily lives.