Self Taught Software Engineers // Beyond Coding Podcast #25 - Patrick Akil with Roy Derks

Freelancing

Freelancing offers both opportunities and challenges, as Roy Derks explains. He emphasizes that freelancing is ideal for those who seek independence and flexibility, such as traveling and working with diverse companies. However, it requires experience and a willingness to work independently, as it can be isolating compared to a traditional company setting 1. Roy also highlights the evolving job market, noting that freelancing could be a solution as automation and technologies like blockchain transform industries 2.

If you go to freelancing and you have no friends, you don't like to work independently, then it would be really strange to go into freelancing.

--- Roy Derks

He suggests that understanding these technologies is crucial to staying relevant in the workforce.

   

Career Growth

Investing in one's career is likened to financial investments by Roy Derks, who stresses the importance of continuous learning and skill development. He advises that early career professionals, especially those self-taught, should seek environments that provide mentorship and feedback, such as startups or smaller companies 3. Roy points out that while larger companies offer more jobs, they may not always provide the best learning opportunities for beginners.

Your career is also an investment. And people sometimes forget because you want to see immediate return.

--- Roy Derks

He also discusses the challenge businesses face in evaluating engineering talent, often relying on experience as a proxy for skill due to the complexity of the field 4.