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There are many ways to get to a destination. Similarly, there are many ways to get to your goal professionally as a developer. But being a developer is hard work, and starting your career as a developer on your own can be even harder. With experience as a freelancer, a brick-and-mortar in-house developer and a remote full time developer at Alley Interactive, I will outline the pros and cons of each option you may be considering for your next professional move. Hear from my mistakes, successes and utter failures over the past five years, and learn which path might be right for you as a developer.
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A Bike, A Bus, An Automobile
Three Ways To Get To The Same Place
I’m Dan● B.S. Applied Sociology -
MN ST Mankato
● 4+ years of Freelance
● 8 Months in-house at Blue Earth Interactive ( St. Paul )
● Currently Software Engineer at Alley Interactive ( NY, Remote )
Freelancing: The BikeMy experience: 4 years, 2 working with a company that did most of the selling
Easy to start (but lots of maintenance)
Go in any direction you want
Only limited by your own power
Freelance: Pros● You get to do it all
● Work when you want ( for the most part )
● Work from home / where there is internet
● Decided what direction to take ‘Your Business’
● Work on projects that are interesting to you
● Having your own portfolio
● Gain business experience
● Gain PM experience
● Gain client-facing experience
Freelance: Cons● You have to do it all: Payroll, Marketing, Business Development
● Living paycheck to paycheck ( until you’re super-dooper successful )
● Trying to get paid
● Often overbooked or underbooked ( stressful )
● Managing your own portfolio
● Little to no collaboration in your field - i.e. no code reviews / learning from other devs
● Feel like you can/should always be working ( time is money )
● Using your own equipment
Freelance: Advice● Don’t portray yourself as working for someone else when contracting
● Become a Business Entity ASAP
● Keep a ‘normal’ work schedule ( easier to transition to on-site work )
● TRACK YOUR TIME - even if you bill by project
● Know your local agency rate ( good freelancers should be about 70% of local agency rate )
● Go to meetups
● Learn GIT
In-House Work: The BusMy Experience: 8 Months in-house at Blue Earth Interactive, St. Paul, MN
Run and maintained by someone else
Follow someone else’s path and schedule
Very little cost to you
In-House: Pros● Consistent paycheck
● Collaborative environment ( maybe )
● Normal work hours ( for the most part )
● Travel expenses for conferences may be covered
● Often get to work on bigger / more complex projects than freelancers
● Benefits :)
In-House: Cons● Work their hours ( mostly )
● If salaried, may have to work extra hours for no extra pay
● Have to shower every day and get dressed
In-House: Advice● Working in-house has the benefit of helping you keep a normal
schedule ( if you like that ), though this can also be a drawback
● Make sure you enjoy the people and the company culture
Remote Work: The AutomobileMy Experience: Since April 1st 2014 with Alley Interactive, NY, NY
Freedom and power to go where you want
Follow the defined maintenance schedule
Remote Work: Pros● Consistent paycheck
● Collaborative environment ( though more difficult than brick-and-mortar )
● Flexible work hours ( for the most part - depending on the company )
● Work from home / where there is internet
● Travel / vacation opportunities
● Self directed work
● Company meetups
Remote Work: Cons● Must be motivated and self-directed
● Feel like you can/should always be working
● Sometime difficult to get advice / help when you need it
● Can be isolating
Remote Work: Advice● Learn to answer your own questions and be self-directed
● Take the initiative in communication with your team
● Make sure you enjoy the people and the company culture
Questions?@add_action_dan
@alleyinteractive
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