Career questions tagged backend-developer
How do I get my first IT freelance job?
Hi everyone, I’m an international student currently studying a Master’s in IT, switching my career from retail to tech. My goal is to eventually work as an IT freelancer, or maybe a part-time freelancer. Over the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time learning and building real projects. I’ve launched several websites using React.js and Vue.js, and used some AWS cloud services for deployment, including my own developer portfolio site. One of the websites I built was for a friend’s event company, just because I wanted to help and gain experience. Last week, I also launched my first iOS app. Even though I built it with ChatGPT’s help, it gave me my first real experience in submitting an app to the App Store and understanding the process. Besides frontend and backend work, I’m also self-studying CCNA to strengthen my networking fundamentals. I sometimes share my progress on social media, and once a former colleague asked if I could build a website for her new boutique. But after that, there haven’t been any updates yet. So up to now, I still haven’t officially received my first freelance job request. I’d really love some advice from people who have freelanced or are freelancing in IT. How did you get your very first freelance job? And is there anything more I can do to start getting real opportunities? Thanks in advance!
Struggled with DSA as a Backend Developer — Considering a Switch to Data Analyst. Is This the Right Move?
I’ve been working as a backend web developer, and for the past year, I dedicated myself to learning Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). Despite giving it my all, I couldn’t get a proper grasp of it — I genuinely struggled to understand the concepts. To add some context, I’m from a BCA not a engineering background, so DSA has been particularly tough for me to crack. Still, I didn’t give up easily — I tried for a whole year, but it just didn’t click. That said, I don’t want to stop growing in my career just because I failed at something. I’ve done some self-reflection and research, and I feel drawn toward the field of Data Analytics. Before getting into backend development, I worked in operations, where I used to interact with clients, gather requirements, and pass them on to the tech team. So, I already have some exposure to data and communication. Combining that with my coding background, I believe I can bring value as a Data Analyst. I know I failed with DSA, but I’m ready to give 100% again — this time in a field that aligns more with how I think and work. Does this career switch make sense? Has anyone here gone through something similar? I’d really appreciate any advice or honest thoughts.