Hi Devon,
Thanks for the links. I’ve been browsing around your site and it looks like there’s some great information that I can’t wait to read.
Your story on the Code Newbie podcast hit close to home, so I’m really hoping I’ll get some good tips from you/your site.
Here’s a little background on me:
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I graduated in 2004 with a BS in Computer Science. Like you, I thought that meant my ticket was punched for a development career.
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I ended up working a job that was not related to computers at all until I eventually found my way into tech support (currently for an IT service company and stationed in a school).
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Now I’m finding myself burning out on tech support and feeling there is little room for advancement or salary increase.
Sound familiar?
So now I feel I’m ready to go back to code. I started with some Android development, but felt like the path to getting in the door might be a little steep, so I’m looking at Web Development and studying with Free Code Camp. I’m very much at the beginning of the process with Web Development, just getting a handle on HTML and CSS, and then I’ll move onto Javascript. It really is a situation where I don’t know what I don’t know yet, and I’m enjoying finding out just how much can be done.
The major things holding me back at this point are time and money. With a full time job, a long commute and a family at home, it’s tough to find time to learn. In terms of money, I can see the potential to earn more than I am now, but I can’t afford a step backward in order to get ahead. I live in the Washington DC area and the cost of living is so high that we are just barely getting by as it is. I can’t wrap my head around starting at the bottom again even if it means a big increase a year or two down the road.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks,
Jim
Jim doesn’t want to start as a junior-level dev. Told him I was able to do this by starting with freelancing. I never would have gotten the job I got if I wasn’t already contracting for the company. I addressed all the questions he posted with his reservation on Calendly:
I’d like to develop a plan for becoming a web developer. What to learn first, when I should try to find a first client. Then, how to handle the business side of development: how much to charge, how to handle client domains/hosting, tracking hours, managing client expectations, billing.
Told him to find a personal project to drive his learning, and to find paying work as soon as he can. He’s been volunteered by his wife to do a site for a photographer in exchange for a family photo package. He’s excited about that as a chance to build something. Told him he could segue this into paying work.
Gave him ideas about pricing. Told him $40-50/hour is a reasonable place to start. Gave him some ideas about domains and hosting including affiliate links, Flywheel for WordPress, and other ideas for static sites and apps.