Field of Freelancing
Fazle Rabbi Khan
Thousands of students graduating from different public and private universities every year usually browse through various online portals or newspapers in the hope of finding a job. Some are successful in landing a suitable position, but many fail to do so. After repeated failed attempts, some become frustrated, while others keep on trying against all odds.
Nowadays, there are different ways to battle this unemployment problem and one of them is entrepreneurship. But to become an entrepreneur, one needs to have much enthusiasm, talent, financial support and right connections. However, another potential and huge sector to overcome the curse of unemployment is outsourcing. Many people are becoming self-sufficient and successful by doing freelance work.
A freelancer is not only self-employed, he or she also has the luxury of choosing their own work and time, and not be commitment to a particular employer for long-term. Many such workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance work to clients, while others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get offers.
According to the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), the country has more than six lakh registered freelancers. Most of the outsourcing work comprises low value-added jobs such as data entry and search engine optimisation (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM). Freelancers skilled in website or software development, writing, editing, proofreading, graphic designing, multimedia and AutoCAD etc can earn huge amounts of money from top websites like Upwork (formerly oDesk) and eLance.
The future in this sector is bright in this country, and there are many examples of successful freelancers who have made it big. YI recently talked to some of them.
Tareq Hasan, Founder, weDevs
Tareq Hasan, a 27-year-old computer science graduate from Rajshahi University, is passionate about software and programming. He is the founder of weDevs, a web development company that provides services such as WordPress plugins, writing development tutorials and custom PHP related articles. The company has 11 employees at present.
Most people dont know what they should do and what they are really passionate about. I was fortunate enough to recognise my passion and goal early in my university life. For any startups, there is a simple rule that should be followed. That is: find a problem and solve it. Its always better to scratch your own itch. So, find a niche market, find a problem and solve it really good. There might be different obstacles, but you have to do it anyway, Hasan said.
Hasan received BASIS Outsourcing Award 2015 for his outstanding performance.
Mohammad Jahidul Islam, Freelancer
Mohammad Jahidul Islam, 28, is another successful freelancer who has overcome lifes obstacles with the strength of heart and mind. After completing his MBA from North South University, Jahidul, whose is physically-challenged, became an online marketing freelancer. He is also a fellow at ActionAid.
I believe that Allah never discriminates against anybody. some people may have difficulties, but it doesnt mean that you are useless and have been sent to this world as a burden. I believe that whoever you are and whatever limitations you may have, it just a problem-solving test to see how you react and overcome the situation. And we must be thankful to the Almighty for every moment of our lives. I have some physical limitation, but I turned that into my lifes core strength, said Jahidul, who uses a wheelchair after suffering from childhood polio.
He is the winner of BASIS Outsourcing Award 2013.
Md Sazzad Hossain Oli, CEO, ThemeonLab
Md Sazzad Hossain Oli, 25, is a successful tech entrepreneur. He is the CEO of two IT-based companies, ThemeonLab and RMS IT, which provide services like WordPress, themes and templates. He graduated in Textile Engineering from Southeast University.
Every entrepreneur needs to think about 10 years ahead from today. Every person must think about whether he or she wants to be an expert or manage a company. If they want to be involved in the management of a company, they need to work there. On the other hand, if they want to be an expert, they need to focus on gathering knowledge. But I would say, if you want to be a successful person, never give up, said Oli.
Nazmul Hossain Tapu, Senior Manager, Multimedia Content and Communication Ltd
Nazmul Hossain Tapu, 28, has been doing freelancing and outsourcing work for some time. He worked with Elance-oDesk and Biotech Magazine. Now, he is senior manager of Multimedia Content and Communication Ltd. His favourite motto is: Success is the inception of life. Tapu graduated in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering from Khulna University and did his Masters in Development Studies.
According to me, success is the inception of life. For example, we achieved independence in 1971 _ that success was only an inception. To continue that success, it is more challenging and difficult. So, young people who are interested in the freelance industry need to focus on quality. Only quality can bring success and achievement, Tapu said.
Md Shafiul Alam Biplob, CEO, Advanced Apps Bangladesh Ltd
Shafiul Alam Biplob, 31, is a developer of mobile phone applications. He is also the CEO of Advanced Apps Bangladesh Limited (AABP). He graduated in Computer Science Engineering from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in 2009.
Freelancing in Bangladesh has a very bright future, but the main thing is skills. People, and the relevant authorities, must come forward and encourage this sector. Some think that freelancing is an easy task, but thats not true. A freelancer has to compete with different people with different skill sets from all over the world, said Biplob.
