gemini_shooter

Hi !

I have been doing some programming for almost a year now nad have been very confused about some techologies. I maily program in embedded and C/C++, but I constantly keep myself open to new technology and I am trying to learn new stuff (win API, Java and .NET)

I am really interested in doing some freelance project work at the same time to give me a broader view. I am not saying money is the only motivation but is definitely one.

I am not scared to diversify or completely go out and learn a tottally new technology but I sure need some guidance in which will help me land the best chance to freelance projects. Can anyone help me in which technologies would be my best options?

Also how long will it take me to lern these technologies to really step out in the freelance world.

Any help would be appreciated...

Infinite Recursion

Hello...

I've seen a lot of client-server programming and database related projects come and go in the past few weeks. So anything dealing in those areas would be beneficial.

Languages that I have seend a demand for: C, C++, C#, Java, VB, PHP, Asp
Technologies: .NET, STL, ATL, MFC, Win32 API, TCP/IP, UDP, OpenGL, DirectX

You can begin a consulting career now with your skills probably, but there is more to that concept than just writing code and getting paid, etc.

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"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

DaWei

Your first "real" contract work is not easy to come by. No one is going to pay you big bucks if you don't have a history. You MUST have contacts. Through contacts you might find someone who wants to get some work done and who will ask you to invest your time for little or no money, betting that the project will be a success and you will eventually rake your share. The probability of success for a startup is not anywhere nearly as good as going to Vegas and pounding your money down a rathole. I got enough stock options early on that I've never had to buy toilet paper since.

Another way is to leave your current position amicably, let some time go by, and offer to do some work for them on contract. Perhaps they have a customer or supplier somewhere in the food chain that you can approach.

Another is to have friends who have moved on, and their new company uses some contract design.

Another is to have a contact who is a successful contractor and who has more work than he/she can handle. You might siphon some of that if he/she knows you are capable and reliable.

Above all, you MUST do a good job, be an asset. Solve problems. Lower costs. Never be a part of the problem.

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