Mixed up and varied tech background /u/Intrepid-Sir8293 CSCQ protests reddit

I have a varied tech background.

In the early 2000s I taught myself a PHP and MySQL and ran some websites for some local businesses, before moving into academia for a while. I had some experience with traditional c++ from various classes I was taking.

While,l I was there I was doing a lot of data engineering – big data, complex cleaning and then statistical analysis that had a lot of moving parts. I got to work with a lot of very clever people.

I left academia for a different type of career and I am just getting to the point where I feel comfortable enough to put energy into chasing freelance work of any sort.

Actually love programming and I would love to make it my day in day out sort of job. The work that I’m doing gives me plenty of free time now that it’s settled down.

I spent the last year reviving my skill sets and learning the ins and outs of the new stuff. I feel pretty comfortable with all of it but I haven’t really found a new project yet. I’ve never really had trouble getting into the tech stuff – and since AI came out it’s been a thousand times easier on top of that.

So I just read a post that kind of poo pooed the idea of starting freelancing as a beginner. I wouldn’t consider myself a beginner but because I’ve been in and out of it I wouldn’t consider myself fresh off the boat.

I don’t really want to get sucked into an office, because I need to retain my flexibility, so I thought freelancing would be a good idea.

So I guess following up on that other post what would be the best way forward for me? I don’t live in a particularly high tech community but I have an office and pretty clear runway, in terms of money. I’m older by the way – 43. I just want to get into the field, take on projects, and enjoy the process.

I have a varied tech background.

In the early 2000s I taught myself a PHP and MySQL and ran some websites for some local businesses, before moving into academia for a while. I had some experience with traditional c++ from various classes I was taking.

While,l I was there I was doing a lot of data engineering – big data, complex cleaning and then statistical analysis that had a lot of moving parts. I got to work with a lot of very clever people.

I left academia for a different type of career and I am just getting to the point where I feel comfortable enough to put energy into chasing freelance work of any sort.

Actually love programming and I would love to make it my day in day out sort of job. The work that I’m doing gives me plenty of free time now that it’s settled down.

I spent the last year reviving my skill sets and learning the ins and outs of the new stuff. I feel pretty comfortable with all of it but I haven’t really found a new project yet. I’ve never really had trouble getting into the tech stuff – and since AI came out it’s been a thousand times easier on top of that.

So I just read a post that kind of poo pooed the idea of starting freelancing as a beginner. I wouldn’t consider myself a beginner but because I’ve been in and out of it I wouldn’t consider myself fresh off the boat.

I don’t really want to get sucked into an office, because I need to retain my flexibility, so I thought freelancing would be a good idea.

So I guess following up on that other post what would be the best way forward for me? I don’t live in a particularly high tech community but I have an office and pretty clear runway, in terms of money. I’m older by the way – 43. I just want to get into the field, take on projects, and enjoy the process.