| So-called "third world" "dev" here. Double-quoted "dev" because I'm actually a graphic designer who happens to do a tiny bit of coding. I kind of understand what you feel because I went through the same on multiple ocassions. The situation here doesn't seem too nice either - people are fleeing not because they want to improve the situation in here or are being directly affected by it but because they want it to not reach them, which I think it's a really pathetic mindset. I have absolutely no desire to leave this place despite all of its problems - it seems to me in other places nowadays you're going to be hated/discriminated/ostracized just because you are you. I struggled to get a job many times. I'm really fortunate to have a job now, and though it's not a super great income (it seems I lowballed myself a bit) the salary is enough to keep my family going and overall it has been great to learn and improve and I can actually spend the time working and not on inocuous and useless things like meetings and stress and stuff - but I suffer from impostor syndrome on a daily basis and I fear the project is going to end soon so I might find myself looking for a new job in the following weeks or (luckily) months so I'm going to get to first base. You have the advantage to be young so you still can learn a lot of stuff you'll remember, so invest your time learning, but like actually diving deep into the stuff you really like. That alone will give you an advantage - everybody seems to be a jack of all trades nowadays but few seem to have a bit knowledge of things - if you market yourself as a person with a deep knowledge in something can be much better than trying to seem a know-it-all. Plus knowing english is a big plus you seem to have. Also build yourself your online portfolio, the best you can do, showcasing the stuff you've done (or, if you haven't done stuff, just get time to create projects for fun, get involved with FOSS/Open Source projects where you can contribute and probably be seen, etc). Your portfolio is like your digital face so you'd want to write the best, cleanest, most readable code possible for your portfolio. The great thing about this part is that you don't actually need the newest, shiniest framework to do it - bare HTML and CSS and some JS will suffice. Believe me or not I suspect what has given me the little gigs I've got was not my portfolio itself but its code. Oh and upwork and fiverr now are awful places to get freelance jobs. I got luck here in the "Seeking for a job?" posts, and if you search in this site, some people have left great recommendations for alternative places to look for freelance jobs that aren't as absurdly competitive or rigged. Most importantly, don't lose hope and keep being persistent. You might get some luck between your dedication and perseverance. |