The future of jobs in web design and web development

Hi Daniel, I just caught your post on the forum and read it with great interest. I can appreciate the situation you are in and perhaps offer you some constructive advice. Web development is a great place to be, dynamic and ever changing so I can see why your interested in it. I think if I was in your in a situation the key is really to build up some experience and get a portfolio of work under your belt. Have you considered maybe doing some volunteer work? This could involve building a charity or local organisation a website? Or some freelancing work? Or managing and improving an existing website. This will allow you to get a portfolio under your belt and really show what you can do. It can be a tough process but it will allow you to hone your skills and make the most of your talents. Most of the jobs in the big city or in any city will look to see what you have done (England or abroad), and a great way of getting there is to show what you can do. With 3000+ points under your belt I'm sure you can make it happen! Hope this helps...

Squarespace is the one that has freaked me out lately. I recommend trying to find an in house design job and then doing freelance on the side. On the bright side - with an in house design job you would get benefits. I work as an in-house graphic/web designer for 40+ hours a week then as a freelancer for another 20+. I couldn't recommend it enough!

Coming here from Twitter, saw this posted as "Will remote work become more prevalent in web design" or something similar. My advice to people starting out is build a portfolio, even if you have to build things just for the sake of putting something there. I would not worry about Squarespace. There will always be something like that, that serves people that have a very limited budget, and don't mind a lack of customization. What you are selling - what Squarespace cannot - is the design process and the experience of working with a designer to solve a problem. If you compete on being a commodity alone, you're dead before you begin. You are selling the peace of mind of letting a professional make the tough decisions and deal with the setup and design of the site.

As for finding jobs locally: it takes time. You have to act like a professional and do a great job for the small clients before you step up to larger ones. If you are working for yourself, referrals will eventually help you out. Fill in with whatever work you can in between. I work remotely for two companies, but I have to fill in with my own clients and odd-maintenance style jobs to make it. There are companies that are completely open to remote work. Moving is always an option - when you are young and less encumbered, it is easier than it will ever be again. I'd really say it comes down to what sort of work/lifestyle you would like to have. Whatever you choose, you can make it happen.