What are the pros and cons of working in a digital marketing agency?

Agencies offer a fast-paced environment where you can work on dozens of accounts in a year, providing a 'boot camp' for learning. However, the high intensity can lead to fast burnout.

What is Arjan KC's recommended career path for digital marketers?

The recommended path is to 'Start Agency' to learn fast, 'Move In-House' to build a professional network and understand company politics, and finally 'End Freelance' to capitalize on your expertise with freedom.

Freelance vs Agency vs In-House: What I’ve Learned

March 25, 2025 • by Arjan KC • in Career Advice, Industry Insights, Job Market • 1 min read

Agency: Learn fast, burn out fast. You see 50 accounts in a year. It’s boot camp.
In-House: Go deep. You learn the politics of a company. You have stability, but it gets boring.
Freelance: Unlimited freedom, unlimited anxiety. You realize you are also a Salesperson and Accountant.

My Advice: Start Agency (to learn). Move In-House (to network). End Freelance (to capitalize).