The biggest dream of every professional is systems engineer in the modern-day competitive job market consists of receiving facilities to generate more and more remunerations without actually being required to make changes in their current career path. For Kunal, a good systems engineer residing in Bristol, this turned out to be only a dream until he came across this weird way of earning an extra £19,000 per annum working in UK in Beacon Tower, Bristol. This blog is about finding more on Kunal’s journey, strategies employed by him, and how you are able to replicate his success.
Career of Kunal as a Systems Engineer
Like most professionals in the field, Kunal had a very regular job as a systems engineer. This involved the design, implementation, and management of an IT setup of an organization. His role required him to have in-depth knowledge about network systems, cybersecurity protocols, and cloud computing; hence, he was an important cog in the wheel of the IT department in his company.
As much as Kunal enjoyed his job, he knew that he wanted to make the most out of this opportunity and make an extra buck on the side. A second job or changing careers is a load to carry, considering how much his current role involves him. Yet, Kunal was determined to find a solution whereby he could capitalize on his expertise without compromising work-life balance.
The breakthrough came through the realization of freelancing and contract work. He then started to realize that at his level, there was a good demand for systems engineers in temporary projects and consulting work. Offers like this paid well, he believed, since companies would prefer hiring an experienced professional on contract rather than committing themselves to a full-time salary and its attendant benefits.
After some research, Kunal started registering himself on various freelancing platforms like Upwork, Toptal, and LinkedIn Profinder. He made a really cool profile, highlighting his skills, experience, and what he could offer to prospective clients. In no time, he started getting short-term contract offers that fitted his full-time job perfectly.
How to Balance Full-Time Work and Freelancing
One of the biggest hindrances Kunal faced included time management. Doing a full-time job in addition to freelance contracts requires a lot of planning and proper time management. Here’s how Kunal did it:
- Time Blocking: He utilized time blocking to carve out parts of the day for a particular task. The early mornings and weekends were reserved for freelance work. He made sure the full-time job remained his first priority during regular work hours.
- Manage Projects Efficiently: Kunal implemented project management tools like Trello and Asana to keep track of his freelance projects. By using them, he had an eye on the timeline in terms of meeting deadlines, prioritization of work, and communicating effectively with the clients.
- Setting Boundaries: Kunal always made it a point to draw boundaries with clients who placed freelance work, lest he suffered from burnout. First, he always informed them well in advance about how much he was available and tried to sustain an optimal workload. This helped him not only in sustaining a good work-life balance but also in maintaining the quality of his work continuously for ongoing projects.
Financial Implications
In a year, Kunal did an extra £19,000 with his freelance contracts. With this extra money coming in, he improved his finances immensely. He was in a position to save more money, invest for the future, and enjoy a far better quality of life than he had before.
For Kunal, success was not only the amount in his bank account, but it also meant the flexibility freelancing could give him: he can work on more projects, extend his professional network, and be able to improve his skills while working full time.
How You Can Do It Too
Kunal’s journey has some important tips to tell for those who would like to increase their income without making huge changes in their career. The key takeaways are as follows:
- Leverage Your Existing Skills: Look for opportunities which provide good scope to capitalize on the skill and experience you already have. The easiest thing to do is to freelance or consult in the field you are already in.
- Time Management: Most of the commitments will require balancing with excellent time management. Learn to use such tools and techniques that help in organizing your schedule and avoid overcommitting with clients.
- Start Small: As much as you would like to take up so many projects at once, don’t rush things. Begin with the smallest projects and part-time contracts as you scale up whenever you get comfortable with the workload.
- Network and Promote Yourself: A strong professional network matters. Leverage networks like LinkedIn to connect with prospective clients where you can showcase your expertise.
- Set Clear Boundaries: Clearly set boundaries with the clients and manage their expectations right from the very beginning to avoid getting burnt out.
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and support network systems, including servers, storage, and cloud solutions. Analyze system performance and perform routine troubleshooting for high uptime and reliability. Implement and manage cybersecurity to protect against data and system organizational breaches. Collaborate cross-functionally in IT solution design and deployment. The responsibilities of the job include providing technical assistance and support to other IT personnel and end-users.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field; proven working experience as a systems engineer, network administrator, or a related position; strong understanding of network architecture, cybersecurity, and cloud computing; excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. Relevant certifications such as CCNA and CISSP will be an added advantage.
The story of Kunal stands as a testament to what initiative and intelligent time management can bring forth. Tapping into his previously acquired skill set and exploring freelance opportunities was one means whereby he could significantly augment his income without harmful cost to either his career or personal life. Systems engineer or otherwise, new financial avenues will open up for success in one’s career through the application of the principles employed by Kunal.
