Ask HN: Learning through freelance work

[Shankem]

Hello,

I recently read an article I think I found on HN, about somebody doing freelance work and learning as they went, until they had become pretty knowledgeable and a strong programmer. I thought I might try to do this, but when I went looking around on some of these freelance sites the jobs were over my head, I didn't even know where to begin.

I'm interested in web and mobile development, I've learned a few different languages (c, c++, java) but I really have only been using java outside of school. I'm trying to expand my knowledge, but I'm just not sure where to begin. I've been working on an android app currently, but I feel I only learn what I need to.

I was hoping to get a broader understanding of web and mobile development, and then from that I could learn whatever I needed. Any advice, ideas or comments are appreciated. Thanks!

[kls]

My suggestion would be to find senior level freelancers and offer them your services, See if they have low hanging fruit that they can throw your way with the understanding that you get to take a crack at new challenges as well. This way, you always have a back up should you get in over your head. You always have someone that has a vested interest in the project at you disposal that you can call and say hey I just don't get this, can you give me a hand to get through it. A lot of freelances need another hand but they don't need a senior level price tag. Enthusiasm goes a long way to convince them that you can be that second set of hands.

[Shankem]

I really like this idea, any suggestions on going about finding people willing to do this? Or just finding senior level freelancers to ask. Thanks.

[kls]

The same place you meet developers, HN, meetups, conferences if someone says I freelance, use that as your intro to pitch them in a polite manner. I would post every time there is the monthly seeking work thread here on HN.

[freshfey]

ask on forrst, there are a lot of developers who would give you a shot ;)

[Shankem]

That site is pretty intriguing, I'm not a member though and I don't think I'd currently qualify for an invite since I don't really have anything to show. Maybe I'll check it out when I can show something I've done. Thanks.

[jrsmith1279]

I did this after giving up on ever having a career in I.T. and being fed up with my 8 year job at Wal-Mart. I already had some knowledge of PHP, JavaScript, ..etc and I got most of my work from oDesk.com. I took a couple of weeks to go over some training at Lynda.com before I started taking on work since I was mostly self-taught. I found that not already being an expert in Web Design/Development meant that it took me longer to do the jobs that people wanted done and I ended up spending more time on projects than it should have taken. I obviously couldn't bill the client more for my lack of knowledge so I ended up working 12 to 14 hour days and made about the same as what I made when I left Wal-Mart.

I'm definitely not discouraging you, but if you've already got a job I'd test the waters with some freelance work before quitting. In my case, quitting my job at Wal-Mart and doing freelance web design/development actually landed me a career in the I.T. field and 3 years later I'm on the verge of making a 6-figure salary doing what I love to do.

[Shankem]

I wouldn't quit my job, I'm just working as an intern currently and I learn on my job as well, but I was looking to learn more and different topics outside of my job. It's a limited term internship and I'll be going back to school next September. I only started learning to program in University, and I'm pretty happy I was able to get a job considering I started knowing nothing a few years ago. However, now that I've come this far I'm not really satisfied with my current level of knowledge and I don't think I will be unless I push myself to learn more outside of work and school.

Thanks for the reply, it's good to hear from people who have worked hard to teach themselves.

[damoncali]

Get some clients through your network. Freelancing sites are pretty awful. Start with something you know you can figure out how to do, make sure you have enough time to learn on the job (pad your deadline), and take on a new challenge with each job. Don't be afraid to turn down a job that is too tough - sometimes there just isn't enough time, billable or otherwise, to learn something on the job.

[phektus]

This particularly works well with web development gigs. You get to work from home, with Internet connectivity providing the communication to the client. This way you can work on several part time projects simultaneously. Do this with a focus on a single language or framework and you'll reap benefits in just a couple of months.

[rcavezza]

Mark Cuban talked about this. When he first started he would say "yes" to everything a client needed and then worked around the clock to make sure he delivered it to them and learned along the way. This probably includes many unbilled hours but it forces you to learn.

[devs1010]

Why not get a job as a programmer for a company directly? You'll learn more this way. Freelancing is generally easier once you have more experience under your belt