DevOps job vs Freelancing after grad
I just graduated university. I have a job offer for a great role at excellent pay, but I want to work for myself long term.
Is it better to work for myself as a freelancer to start, or to spend another year or two learning more skills? (I have 1 year already and can handle simple full stack projects pretty comfortably)
I think the different options involve learning very different skills
Stay put for at least a year or two. There's still quite a bit to learn, tech and non-tech, what will make your freelancing far more successful and enjoyable
Simple, both.
Devops will introduce you to typical business culture and requirements and be valuable if you plan to form your own company in the future.
Company guided strategy and colleagues will help expand your knowledge and experience.
Most of all, it pays your bills while you figure out freelancing.
Then carry out freelance work in areas of your interest in evenings and weekends.
Expand knowledge safely without the need to worry about rent.
When ready with a great idea, suitable savings, validated potential....then is the time to quit the day job and branch out on your own.
Or if you like to live dangerously, dive in the deep end and figure it out along the way, knowing that failure will be catastrophic.
Just saw your reply to other comment... my answer stays the same but would start a different job without the restrictions.
As a new grad you probably don't have a lot of career capital yet. I'd try to take a full-time, non-remote job and learn as much as possible for a couple of years. It will give you a much better base from which to start a freelancing career. Also, if you live frugally you can save money and give your future venture more of a runway.
Also, no-moonlighting clauses, suck but that can't stop you from blogging, tweeting or building an audience. It probably can't stop you from writing a book or writing open source and building credibility at what you do. And that audience can definitely be an asset for both freelancing and entrepreneurial ventures.
hi i am new indie user how are you?
Indecisive :)
This comment was deleted 7 years ago
This comment was deleted 4 years ago
This job has a contract forbidding side projects unfortunately. Otherwise that would be a nice arrangement
In some jurisdictions that kind of clause is illegal.
No matter what it's negotiable. Tell them that restriction isn't compatible with your goals for growth.
Apply to tons of other openings that seem interesting too. Always have more than one offer to choose from.
In my opinion your goal right now should be to join a team that has some other people whose skills you admire and you can learn side-by-side from. Even better if you're working in a high-scale environment that most indie projects don't reach in the early days. There are certain kinds of tasks and projects and experience that only come from being in the core of a team, not just a freelancer that could come and go at any time.
After a year, reevaluate. But think in terms of a 1, 3, 5 year plan for setting your entrepreneurship up for real big success. In the grand scheme of things, you don't need to rush into it right away. Focus on getting some perspective, cred, and mentors in place now so in a few years they can help you on your own thing.
This comment was deleted 7 years ago