4 ms·

Articles like this depress me, because in 1998, I totally knew how to make websites, but didn't know I could make money doing it. Instead I was 18 and doing wh

Articles like this depress me, because in 1998, I totally knew how to make websites, but didn't know I could make money doing it. Instead I was 18 and doing what I was supposed to do, that is I was busy going to school, and now I'm 31 and still in school not making money. What's wrong with me? Sigh.

aasarava 15y ago
It's still possible to make money building web sites, perhaps more so than ever. If you aren't happy with still being in school, why aren't you putting the pieces in place to start your own web development practice?
- radarsat1 15y ago
  You make a good point. Mostly the answer is that after 10 years I'm definitely going to see this through and finish my degree :) But also, 10 years ago I might have been interested in web development, today I have developed skills in other areas (robotics, embedded programming, etc). It would be a shame not to put them to use. Perhaps more importantly, if I got back into web stuff, I'd be quite far behind in the game; I simply wouldn't have the skills for someone with my experience level. Probably I could get up to speed quickly, but I'd prefer to stick to what I know; there just happens to be so much work in web stuff lately that looking at the job market I sometimes get this omninous feeling that I've been making a mistake... Anyways, looking for work now for when I'm done my degree later this year, so we'll see how it goes. I have an impression that this must be a common feeling for people at the end of their doctoral studies, so I try not to be overly worried.
cubicle67 15y ago
hey, you're not alone :) I was in the UK in '99 working a string of crappy low paying jobs whilst reading job ads offering £100,000 + car + rent in London for Y2K work. I never applied for any of them because I didn't consider myself worth that much money Wasn't until years later I found they were taking on pretty much anyone who could turn on a computer. oh well...
jeffool 15y ago
A. Men. I recently lost my job, and am re-learning to program. I annoy myself with the skills I've forgotten, now knowing what I missed out on.
Luyt 15y ago
When I started out as freelancer, my first three invoices were not for $1400, $5400 and $24000 respectively, and then a potential $340000! They were more like $300, $310, $260 etc. Maybe I'm doing something wrong too. I'd like to see my revenue explode exponentially.
petercooper 15y ago
At certain times in certain industries, it definitely pays to be brazen and shameless, particularly with your rates and aspirations. I never was either but am becoming more so after a great deal of hindsight :-)

aasarava 15y ago

It's still possible to make money building web sites, perhaps more so than ever. If you aren't happy with still being in school, why aren't you putting the pieces in place to start your own web development practice?

radarsat1 15y ago
You make a good point. Mostly the answer is that after 10 years I'm definitely going to see this through and finish my degree :) But also, 10 years ago I might have been interested in web development, today I have developed skills in other areas (robotics, embedded programming, etc). It would be a shame not to put them to use. Perhaps more importantly, if I got back into web stuff, I'd be quite far behind in the game; I simply wouldn't have the skills for someone with my experience level. Probably I could get up to speed quickly, but I'd prefer to stick to what I know; there just happens to be so much work in web stuff lately that looking at the job market I sometimes get this omninous feeling that I've been making a mistake... Anyways, looking for work now for when I'm done my degree later this year, so we'll see how it goes. I have an impression that this must be a common feeling for people at the end of their doctoral studies, so I try not to be overly worried.

cubicle67 15y ago

hey, you're not alone :) I was in the UK in '99 working a string of crappy low paying jobs whilst reading job ads offering £100,000 + car + rent in London for Y2K work. I never applied for any of them because I didn't consider myself worth that much money Wasn't until years later I found they were taking on pretty much anyone who could turn on a computer. oh well...

jeffool 15y ago

A. Men. I recently lost my job, and am re-learning to program. I annoy myself with the skills I've forgotten, now knowing what I missed out on.

Luyt 15y ago

When I started out as freelancer, my first three invoices were not for $1400, $5400 and $24000 respectively, and then a potential $340000! They were more like $300, $310, $260 etc. Maybe I'm doing something wrong too. I'd like to see my revenue explode exponentially.

petercooper 15y ago

At certain times in certain industries, it definitely pays to be brazen and shameless, particularly with your rates and aspirations. I never was either but am becoming more so after a great deal of hindsight :-)