Hoping to tap the hivemind here for some insights. I’m currently learning Python as a hobby for personal projects and I’ve been thinking of ways I could potentially leverage this for freelance work in the future. I’m on a spouse visa, so I can freelance for overseas companies, but I’m mainly curious about the local market. Language ability is currently limited (been here less than two years) though I study actively and seriously.
As far as specific domain interest, my primary motivation to learn is to pursue IoT-type stuff (for example, automating devices to assist in farm/garden irrigation, soil management, etc.). Given my background and current work (copywriter and product development consultant), I have also have an interest in data analysis/BI and natural language processing.
I know these are booming fields, but I frankly can’t see myself working as a full-time employee. I like the freedom and pace of life that I currently have as a freelancer. Once I get up to speed with Python, are there any prospects for a freelance bum like me?
2 comments
Takes about 3 years to gain enough experience before you can start charging clients for your work. I’d be very hesitant in my first year of learning a new program I language to begin thinking that I could take in paid project work. You need to have worked on projects and have some professional experience to be a freelancer. Being a hobbyist fine but charging paying clients that’s a different kettle of fish.
Are you freelancing or wanting to freelance? The title and last sentence are sort of unclear.
As for what you can do? The sky’s the limit, but it will likely take longer than you think to get there. (More than one year, less than 10). But you’re on the right track.
As for what you can do freelance, it just depends on what there’s a market for – but sort of by definition if it’s obvious the market is probably already saturated. I think *some* corporate experience would help at least a little (that would be my recommendation). But that’s up to you.
If I were sitting in your chair now, I would be working a daily leetcode (I do this now even though I’ve long since finished the typical fang path), and then just building a bunch of stuff until I found a niche worth pursuing.