Trying to change my career to freelancing, how plausible is this path?
Didn't know if i should post this in talk or tech, but my focus is on advice, so i guess this is the place.
I am currently in the process of changing my career to be a web developer. Studied IT a few years ago, dropped out due to finances, and spent the last few years working crappy jobs.
I designated all my spare time towards learning the basics. I'm confident enough in my knowledge of HTML and CSS, know how to use Bootstrap and i'm currently learning the basics of JS. The Udemy course i'm taking will cover NodeJS, jQuery and some more backend next. After that i plan on learning Wordpress and a framework i guess (React/Vue/Angular). Have i missed something here?
My final goal is doing freelance web development. My question is, how plausible is this and what else do you suggest learning to have an easier time finding clients?
Also, how soon do you figure i could start doing some basic work with simple websites (even if it means using Bootstrap / altering Wordpress themes)? My country is rather cheap, so even 500$/month on simple projects will be enough of a reason for me to quit my 9-5.
Guess i'll need a portfolio too though.
Anyways, thanks for reading. Any web devs out there care to offer advice? I'm dedicated to achieving this goal, but i'm somewhat lost still.
Not a web developer but this may help some: Coming from someone in the tech industry, currently working as a Senior Agile Delivery Manager, I would suggest doing some company work first. I say this because it's a great way to gain some experience coding for clients - even if they're internal clients. You'll hopefully get the chance to pair with senior developers and see builds from ideation though to release. This should help with up-skilling in a functional way.
It will, hopefully, leave you in a good position to lean on that experience when hunting freelance work. It may also help with figuring out exactly you want to specialise in etc.
Thnaks for your input. However, i'm not sure i have the necessary knowledge(and definitely experience) to get a job for a company yet. Whereas, i could definitely create a simple 100$ website for some small company using wordpress as a backend with my current skills
There's no reason you can't pursue both. It sounds like you feel confident enough in your skills to take on freelance projects from small companies, but you're hesitant to apply for a full-time gig due to your lack of experience?
I'd suggest soliciting for any freelance gigs that you can find. This will build your resume. At the same time, I would be looking for entry-level jobs in the field and applying. This will be a great way to get interview experience, if nothing else. Just view them as practice and networking opportunities. If you get an offer great, if not, it's just more practice.
You are right actually. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" method.
Shouldn't i make a portfolio/github/whatever first? At least a landing page of some sort for non existent companies?
I am confident in my HTML/CSS knowledge and the ability to copy-paste from Bootstrap. It isn't a lot of knowledge at all yet, but i suppose it is enough for some simple projects. Like i said, even if i make 500$/month it will be more than what my current job pays, and i can quit my 9-5 to focus on learning full time.
Do you recommend Udemy or is it better to contact companies/restaurants/small businesses in my area?
Yes, you should have a portfolio first. There's no reason for someone to hire a no-name web developer unless they know you personally. I would look into building websites with Wordpress first though. For many small businesses where their website is practically a online billboard, Wordpress meets the bill, and takes very little time to setup.
I hear that people can make pretty good money making Wordpress themes, albeit a little mind numbing.
Personally, I work Full-stack for a company, and didn't go to school for CS and was self-taught. For me, getting my 1st company job changed everything. Granted, it was a contract role, but after that job, I've never had a job search last longer than a month. People snap you up if they see you're competent and have coding work history. Like Fursty suggested, I would get a company job first/ work for a company, since that would make your 9-5 all additional time learning coding due to using it on the job, as well as all your free time can be spent pursuing any new technologies you want to learn.
Besides, working for a company isn't bad, if you're looking for the non-structure of freelance, I'm working remotely full-time right now, and it's pretty great in terms of time structure.