Thinking of going freelance in IT...

[M@H]

Z064life said:

Capturing requirements is easy for a simple system.

You reckon.. ?

If you have all the skills you say then get into a software house for a bit, then you can put that on your c.v. Then find something else for the c.v. then a bit more, then a bit more, then some more, then go contracting if you want to.

It took me years and years of relevant permie work building my c.v. before I started contracting and whilst yes the money is good when you are working, its not so good when you are not plus there are an awful lot of people out there chasing jobs.

If you want a headstart find a niche technology but don't expect it to last forever. Oracle Application Express is a good money earner at the moment, albeit the work is often within the MOD.

Equally I agree with what others have said though, I wouldn't take on a freelance contractor to work for me without the "rounded" c.v. that comes from experience. Don't take this the wrong way, and the best of luck in what you choose, you've still got plenty of time to make your millions

Oh PS, don't discount the skills you have in "basic" technologies as a lot of companies still use them. I running a migration project from a VB6 / SQL7 appication and my old Access skills and NT server skills are still very useful.

Edited by M@H on Friday 27th July 13:39

[Z064life]

M@H" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">M@H said:

Z064life said:

Capturing requirements is easy for a simple system.

You reckon.. ?

If you have all the skills you say then get into a software house for a bit, then you can put that on your c.v. Then find something else for the c.v. then a bit more, then a bit more, then some more, then go contracting if you want to.

It took me years and years of relevant permie work building my c.v. before I started contracting and whilst yes the money is good when you are working, its not so good when you are not plus there are an awful lot of people out there chasing jobs.

If you want a headstart find a niche technology but don't expect it to last forever. Oracle Application Express is a good money earner at the moment, albeit the work is often within the MOD.

Equally I agree with what others have said though, I wouldn't take on a freelance contractor to work for me without the "rounded" c.v. that comes from experience. Don't take this the wrong way, and the best of luck in what you choose, you've still got plenty of time to make your millions

Oh PS, don't discount the skills you have in "basic" technologies as a lot of companies still use them. I running a migration project from a VB6 / SQL7 appication and my old Access skills and NT server skills are still very useful.

Edited by M@H on Friday 27th July 13:39

Well I've made small databases for small businesses, and in one meeting I've discussed all the requirements, memorised them, and implemented all the required functionality. No iterations required. The system did as the business intended. Then again, this is a small system for a small business, not a small system for a large business. With my dissertation project, capturing requirements was much harder so I experienced the hardship involved, but I nailed the requirements down first then eventually moved onto the technical work so didn't have a problem. Then again, being honest with myself, I do lack "commercial experience". This freelancing thing would be to get my foot in the door into a permenant job (depending on how much I enjoy freelance work).

I could also get on an MSc for a September start at my uni. People even enroll after the course has started.