MALAYSIA TECH MONTH 2021: DIGITAL SKILLS Malaysia Tech Month 2021 featured a week-long emphasis on digital skills in the current global digitalised economy.
T
he week-long emphasis presented an action-packed array of insights on digital skills, digital jobs, university initiatives and much more. The final session of the week featured a team of dynamic ladies operating in the digital economy. The session featured two tracks on Digital Freelancing and Learner’s Lifelong Learning Sharing Experience.
DIGITAL FREELANCING, TURNING YOUR SKILLS INTO INCOME In this session, MDEC’s Muhammad Haris Hasan, Manager Community Enablement, and Nur Ashikin Halil, Member of the Global Online Workforce (GLOW) shared their insights on digital freelancing. Muhammad said that under the current pandemic situation and with the availability of job opportunities, youths or the millennials generation are more skewed towards selfemployment and digital freelancing. A freelancer and solopreneur since 2016, Nur Ashikin shared her journey in digital freelancing. She explained that there is often a fine line distinguishing remote working and freelancing. Nur Ashikin started out on this journey by joining the GLOW MDEC Programme which provided step-by-step guidance on becoming a successful online worker. She advised that there are many platforms online through
12 MY•IT
which online workers can seek out job opportunities. On the reasons for becoming a freelancer, Nur Ashikin stressed the advantage of flexible schedules, versatile work arrangements, multinational exposure, earning competitive rates, and selecting desirable projects. Digital freelancing also provides multiple income streams based on the capacity of the freelancer. Amidst the exciting proposition that freelancing offers, Nur Ashikin also acknowledged the challenges involved. She pointed out that with the current pandemic situation, and with more freelancers available in
the market, one has to be ready to be competitive and stay above the competition. Aside from that, freelancers are constantly on the move across multiple markets and require consistent creativity in all areas. She added that freelancers have to be self-motivated amidst tough times, think out-of-the-box, manage finances efficiently, research market value and common trends, be inclusive and professional. She encouraged upcoming freelancers to attend the GLOW Pemulih Programme to learn about the dynamics of being a successful freelancer.
