Prove me wrong: Upwork is the McDonald's of Freelancing - Here's Why That's Not Bad

Most start freelancing on Upwork like many start at McDonald's - it's an entry point. You learn basics, build experience, then typically move on. Some climb the ranks and succeed there, but most use it as a stepping stone.

Just like people rely less on fast food as they get serious about health, businesses bring work in-house when they get serious about quality and growth. Both have their place - Upwork and McDonald's serve a purpose for those who need them.

Me: I live in the states. Big distinction. Worked Upwork for 6 months, scaling to $65/hr (started at 20 to get some history). Learned exactly what clients needed, then offered same services directly - keeping 100% instead of paying platform fees. Like any entry-level job, it taught me the ropes before I moved on. No shame in that game.