If you want to start a career in writing or journalism, freelancing could be for you. Here is some advice on finding opportunities, and building your portfolio:

There are more graduates than ever entering an increasingly diminished market, so they are having to be more creative in the ways they get income and gain experience in their chosen field. For those with a talent for writing, working freelance can be worthwhile.

When starting out, many people turn to specialist websites listing a range of current writing projects offered by different organisations, which freelancers can apply to complete. These sites can be useful but just make sure any organisation is genuine first. Otherwise you might find you've spent hours on work which you never get paid for.

When looking to get work for magazines and newspapers, keep the pitches – in which you present what you could write for them – brief and interesting. Even if you're sending your fifth in a row of rejected ones, be polite and professional.

The advantages
The positives of freelancing as a graduate are numerous. It's incredibly satisfying to be working for yourself and having the responsibility of determining your own workload. Making a living doing what you love is hugely rewarding, and of course the flexibility of the work hours may suit you. New graduates are generally used to working unusual hours, so if you're most comfortable working late at night or at the weekend, then freelancing may be the way to go. Depending on how much work you manage to get, which can vary wildly, especially when you're just starting out, it also leaves it open for you to get a part-time job, however basic, which would bring in a regular amount.

The disadvantages
It is not steady and it is not always profitable. Graduate writers are notorious for working for no actual payment, and it's because there are so many people willing to do it that companies simply assume that it's acceptable, and of course this suits the companies. Freelancing is probably not for people who lack motivation. If you don't go looking for work, spending your days shooting off emails, then it is very unlikely the work will come to you. For most people, freelancing does not provide regular work at the beginning. So if you find it stressful not getting paid at the end of every week or month, then it's worth looking at other options.