Shieh's parents wanted him to be a doctor, but he was a creative child. It took his parents a long time to accept their son's choice of careers. Ten years later, after beginning his career with BBDO, the ad writer is back with the company, helping to create an online advertising presence for startup companies. Though he's not having trouble finding work, he said others aren't so lucky. I know a lot of colleagues who are getting stressed out, trying to figure out where they will get their next gig.
Jobs are scarce, and interactive agencies are cutting back on their staff.
That's why a lot of freelance work has dried up, and the opportunities seem to be getting fewer and fewer. Cheung has been freelancing since last September and has done it three or four times in the past 10 years. He said there are both pros and cons in being an independent contractor. That's all he's responsible for, so the job can lose some of its challenge because you keep working on the same thing month after month. You can do that, though, by working on one account.