As an independent contractor rather than an employee, a freelance engineer seeks out and completes paid engineering projects. In most cases, becoming a freelance engineer requires the same level of education as becoming an employee in this field. This usually entails finishing high school, earning a bachelor’s degree, and then working for at least a few years. You can usually take your jurisdiction’s licensing or certification exam to gain the right to work unsupervised if you have solid work experience. Finally, you can devise and implement a client-acquisition strategy.
You’ll need the right education to work as a freelance engineer. This will most likely begin in high school, where you can improve your chances of success by enrolling in advanced science and math classes. Taking classes to improve your communication skills may also be beneficial. This is important because communication skills, both verbal and written, are typically required for success in college and throughout an engineering career. Instead of graduating from high school, you could earn a General Educational Development® (GED®) diploma and then prepare for a challenging engineering degree program by taking a few community college math and science classes.
To pursue a career as a freelance engineer after high school, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree. You can enroll in a variety of engineering programs, but mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering programs are among the most popular. A bachelor’s degree in engineering usually qualifies you for an entry-level engineering position. Even if working as an employee isn’t your ultimate goal, it can help you prepare to work as a freelance engineer.
You can gain the experience you need to become a freelance engineer if you have a college degree. When you begin your career as an entry-level engineer, you will most likely work under the supervision of more experienced engineers. Engineers must have experience and pass a test in many jurisdictions to obtain licensing or certification, as well as permission to work without supervision. The requirements vary by jurisdiction, but you’ll almost always need to spend a few years gaining the necessary experience.
You can take your jurisdiction’s certification or licensure exam once you’ve earned a degree and gained experience. These exams are typically standardized, lengthy, and designed to assess your engineering skills. If you pass, you can pursue engineering projects as a freelancer.
As a freelance engineer, finding clients can be difficult. By creating a solid marketing strategy, you can increase your chances of success. For example, you might want to include strategies for placing ads, soliciting referrals, and joining networks that can help you land contracts.