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Alex Wylie
4,364 Pointsa stop-gap job while learning to code?
Hi Guys, I'm after a bit of advice and was interested in what you might think about a decision i'm weighing up at the moment.
I moved away from home about 1.5 years ago to work for a well known established company. The pay is good and there is lots of opportunity for progression. However i haven't really clicked with the job (or the location), and in this time (since Jan 2017) I've become really interested in pursuing web development as a career.
I don't quite feel that i'm ready to enter into the web development market (I've submitted a few applications a few months ago and the response was that i should keep plugging away / build a better portfolio and get in touch in the future). So my idea is that i get a lower paying job back in my home town (10k pay drop), while learning web development on the side. I'll still be paying rent to my mum but i should be able to save some cash (not saving anything atm as renting and paying bills ect). I could save for a bootcamp maybe as a last resort and continue to learn / apply for jobs.
Basically my decision is whether to stick with my current job and continue learning, or drop down to a lower paying job so i can focus more attention on web development.
I have an interview on Friday 9th June for the lower paying job. One redeeming thing about this job is that i've been verbally told that if i got the job i would have the opportunity to help work on improving the website for the service that i would be working for (after a few months of getting to know the ropes ect).
Any feedback would be appreciated!
Thanks, Alex
3 Answers
Philip Gales
15,193 PointsIf you can save money by going to a lower paying job and living at home, I would do it. I would also recommend a community college over a bootcamp. I say this since when I was at a community college I met a lot of people and was able to acquire a lot of contracts through my connections that way. Another thing is the teachers were all available to help me with any challenges I faced.
If a community college is not your thing. Do the Tech degree here.
Would you mind linking your portfolio?
Alex Wylie
4,364 PointsHey thanks for your response! I don't have a proper portfolio with work for clients (not had any yet but planning on trying to get some freelance work in the future). I do have a website but i'm not comfy sharing that atm as i've not updated it for a while (been focusing on job applications ect). I basically only know responsive html and CSS, and i'm learning javascript.
I'll look into college stuff around where i live. I'm from the UK so it slightly different but worth me having look to see whats available. I think treehouse is great, but if i make a move down to a lower paid job i'd like to do some formal training aswell (even if just evenings) so i can more easily explain my career choice on my CV.
thanks again!
Philip Gales
15,193 PointsYou're welcome. If you haven't updated your portfolio then that should be a top priority. Even if you don't have business clients, being able to show off your work is going to go a long way in getting a job.
edwardr
10,272 PointsHi Alex,
Another option is to keep your high paying job and in your spare time build a portfolio through projects and freelance work.
Once you have a great portfolio showing off your skills, apply for another job.
Good luck.