When I first advanced my career from being a Study Coordinator to becoming a CRA, it was in a freelance position. I immediately liked the feeling freelancing gave me, being my own boss, the keeper of my own time and setting my own pace, being more independent in my ways of working than I have ever been before. Working under my own conditions just felt right to me from the start. Due to the fact that at that time, having gained experience in the field of non-interventional studies (NIS) only – but in this field it was a lot of experience – I could not find additional clients, because I was lacking experience in interventional clinical trials. So I decided to get into a permanent position once more in order to gain this experience. But this was always with the aim, to get back to freelancing at a later timepoints. 

The time was just about right when the opportunity arose in spring 2023, I grabbed it and jumped right into freelancing again. Taking this huge step was a bit scary, because it sometimes feels uncertain, but would I change it back? Not at all! I can only recommend doing what you desire, follow your heart and work in a way that is healthy for you and where the passion for what you are doing is not getting lost on the way. Would I go back into a permanent position you may ask. My answer would be: only under the right conditions, with the right people. But for now, I am happy the way things are working out for me!