Freelance vs. In-House: Which L&D Career Path Is Right for You?

If you’re thinking about starting your journey in Learning & Development, one of the first big questions you might bump into is this: Should I work in-house, or go freelance?

I’ve done both. Back in 2011, I started in-house, climbed the ladder, built my reputation, and then eventually, in 2018, went freelance. These days, I run two businesses—The L&D Academy and Learning Adventures—and I work with clients across different industries and countries. I’ve loved both experiences for very different reasons, and I’ve also learned a lot from what didn’t go so smoothly over the years.

So, if you’re unsure which direction to take, let’s talk about what it’s really like on both sides.

What’s the Difference, Really?

Let’s demystify it. When you work in-house, you’re part of a company’s internal L&D team. You’ve got a manager, maybe a team, and you’re building learning experiences for people within that organization. You get to know the culture, the systems, and the people really well.

Freelancing? That’s a different beast. You’re working for yourself. You find your own clients, pitch your own services, and set your own schedule. One week, you could be designing a leadership program for a fast-growing startup. The next, you might be running a soft skills webinar for a multinational company. You wear all the hats—and you’re in charge of everything – marketing, admin, accounting – you name it.

Freelance Life: The Good, The Bad, The Real

The first thing that attracted me to freelancing was the freedom. No set hours. No long commutes. No manager (and I’ve been lucky to have some good ones and some bad ones, too!). I could choose projects that excited me and say no to ones that didn’t. I have space to experiment, to launch new products, to work with people from all over the world. And I love that variety. One month, I was helping a tech company roll out a new onboarding experience; the next, I was designing a training program on inclusive leadership for a nonprofit.

But let’s not sugarcoat it—freelancing also comes with its own stress. You have to be OK with uncertainty. Some months, projects pile up. Other months, nothing comes in. You’re also your own sales team, your own admin, your own finance department. And sometimes, it’s lonely. There’s no team chat, no impromptu brainstorming, no colleague to grab coffee with after a tough session. And you have to be disciplined – without it, you can find yourself doom scrolling on your phone, “waiting for inspiration”, or just plain old procrastinating.

When I first started out, I spent more time writing proposals than delivering actual training. That was an unpleasant surprise for me! But over time, I built systems, created workflows, and got clear about whom I help and how. And that was a super important lesson – you can’t be everything for everyone. Some clients will be the perfect fit, others – not. Now, freelancing works beautifully for me—but it took a lot of effort to get here.

In-House Life: Stability with Structure

My in-house roles were where I really cut my teeth. I started my career in the field as a Customer Services Trainer, helping onboard all new agents. I then moved to the Employee and Organization Development team and several other L&D teams in other organizations. I had access to decision-makers, I could see the long-term impact of the programs I designed, and I got to lead full-scale projects from start to finish. In one company, I helped set up the entire L&D strategy from scratch. That experience was invaluable.

Being in-house meant I had a team around me. I had a budget. I had IT support when my laptop crashed five minutes before a workshop. I had HR Business Partners to give me valuable insights. And I had a structure—clear expectations, development plans, and a steady paycheck every month.

But I also remember the frustrations. The layers of approval. The slow pace of decision-making. The times I had a great idea for a new initiative and had to wait months just to get a green light.

I enjoyed the rhythm, the stability, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. But after a while, I started craving more variety and autonomy—things that were harder to find inside one organization.

Which One Helps You Grow Faster?

That depends on how you like to learn.

In-house, I learned how to work with stakeholders, how to manage internal politics, and how to build programs that stick in a specific organizational culture. I had the chance to dive deep into one environment and make a long-term impact.

As a freelancer, I’ve had to grow in completely different ways. I’ve learned how to pitch my services, how to design digital products, how to manage clients, and how to run a business. Every new project teaches me something, whether it’s a new industry, a new tool, or a new way to approach learning.

So, it’s not really about which path is better—it’s about which one fits the way you want to grow.

Lifestyle Fit: What Works for You?

This one’s big.

Freelancing gives you flexibility. I can take a break in the middle of the day to walk my dog or schedule a trip without asking for permission. But it also means no paid holidays, no sick leave, and no company benefits.

In-house work offers structure. There’s a rhythm to your weeks. You don’t have to chase clients. And when you take a holiday, you actually get paid to relax.

You also need to think about your personality. Do you like working alone, or do you thrive in a team? Are you energized by variety, or do you prefer consistency and predictability?

For me, freelancing fits my life now. But I’ve had moments—especially in more stressful seasons—when the idea of going back in-house felt very tempting. Stability can be deeply comforting but it comes with it’s drawbacks as well.

Still Can’t Decide? Try a Hybrid Approach

Can you do both? Yes!

You might start in-house, build your skills, and then shift into freelance once you feel more confident, like I did. Or you might freelance while working part-time for one anchor client. Some people bounce between the two as their life circumstances change.

In my case, I went from in-house to freelance—and now I’ve created a blend. I do client work, sell digital products, run online courses, and consult. It’s a mix that gives me both freedom and stability.

So… Which Path Is Right for You?

There’s no single answer here. Just because something works for me doesn’t mean it will work for you. It depends on a lot of things – your stage in life, your career goals, your risk tolerance, and your working style.

If you want structure, a team, and long-term projects, in-house might be a great fit.

If you crave independence, variety, and creative control, freelancing could be your thing.

And if you’re still unsure? Try one and see how it feels. You’re not locked in forever. Careers evolve. You can always pivot.

As cheesy as it may sound, what matters most is that you pick the path that feels right for you.