In this video, I break down what it’s actually like being a contract UX designer—because contract roles get a bad rap for being “unstable” or “unsafe,” and I don’t think that’s the full story. My current contract is coming to an end (sadly), so I wanted to share the real pros and cons I’ve personally seen, especially since I’ve had people react like I was downgrading my career by leaving full-time for contract. On the pro side, contractors often get paid higher to balance out the lack of benefits. You also get a ton of variety: you can hop across industries, products, and teams, which can diversify your portfolio fast. And honestly, contract roles can be a more realistic way to get into companies you might not be competitive for as a full-time candidate, since the interview process can be quicker and they often need someone ASAP. On the con side, the big ones are job stability, limited or no benefits (health/vision/dental, 401k, PTO), and feeling like an outsider—sometimes you’re not included in internal perks or events. Career mentorship can also be weaker, so you’ll need to be proactive in 1:1s. My biggest tip: start lining up your next role 2–3 months before your contract ends, and always have a Plan B (or C or D).