Heidi Turner, a “happy freelancer” who writes, edits and consults from her home in Burnaby, B.C., says “If you are serious about freelancing as a career, you need to take it seriously and really make a go of it, rather than just treating it as your hobby.”

Lauren chats with freelance social media strategist Sophie Bifield about the best and worst parts of freelancing in a new industry like social media.

It’s easy to forget the world around you when the paper piles high. And it’s also easy to forget that the restaurants, bars, galleries, shops and walking trails which are the mainstays of your non-academic moments are potential treasures to people less familiar with your cityscape.

If you’re looking at self-employment as a viable career option, or just looking to generate a little side income, there are easy, effective ways to get started. But whatever product or service you choose to offer the world, be creative!

Before, building a professional portfolio and experience as a freelancer was something that took years. Now, it can be much easier to find someone willing to give you a shot. I plan to take advantage of this opportunity.