I vividly remember my first semester studying computer science more than 10 years ago.
I knew almost nothing about coding. My uncle, a professional software developer, had quickly shown me the programming language “Visual Basic” and told me something which you may find helpful in your own career:
“Learning a programming language is like learning a natural (spoken) language — it becomes easier, the more languages you’ve already mastered. There are two things underlying every single language: concepts and syntax. Concepts are hard, syntax is easy. And you can directly build upon the concepts from an old language when studying a new language. Therefore, you should focus on the concepts!”
Equipped with such high-level advice and “good” (not “very good”) grades in school, I tried my luck as an upcoming computer scientist.
To be frank, I didn’t even know what I was doing — I only chose computer science because I loved the puzzles and riddles. Computer science was like a massive and fascinating maze full of puzzles! I loved it!
Of course, people told me about the great “job opportunities” that come with being a computer scientist. But I didn’t really care about it at that point in my life. I had no clue what I was going to do with this new set of computer science skillsβ¦
Well, a few years earlier as a kid, I dreamed of becoming self-employed as a writer and creating my own business. This was very weird at that time because I wasn’t aware of a single person in my environment (in one hop distance) who succeeded with their own business. Most of my family was very skeptical about self-employment because of my grandfather who tried creating a highly leveraged business but ultimately failed into bankruptcy.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming self-employed?
More than half of Americans want to be their own boss and create their own business at one point in their lives.
But many of them fear the risk associated with being self-employed. Like my grandfather, you may fear being forced to file for bankruptcy — and lose everything.
But you know what? My grandfather was forced into bankruptcy because he was highly leveraged — he went tens of thousands of dollars (at that time and space the name of the currency was actually “Deutsche Mark”) in debt to buy a “brick and mortar” store. Of course, it’s risky to be in debt. No shit, Sherlock!
Some people fear taking the big leap forward, getting rid of their day job, and risking not being able to support themselves and their families. So they stick with their dreaded job — paralyzed and unsatisfied with their current situation.
The thing is — if people try to force me on an “either-or” decision, my natural reaction is to aim for both. Why not stick with the day job and gradually build my business (and, even more important, business experience) on the side? This is what I did.
You could spend your Saturday mornings on your side business and earn double income, learn double skills, and become more and more robust, valuable, and knowledgeable. Then, you may — or may not — decide to go into your side business full-time.
One of my big fears is the fear of not being good enough. (Deep shit, I know.) Yet, I quickly realized that this limiting belief does no good and it must go. Only by risking not being good enough, do you have a chance of actually becoming good enough. If you’ve any ambition, you must get rid of this fear ASAP.
So, fast forward 10 years. I’ve finished my computer science degree and my 4-year doctoral research program. And for a couple of years now, I have become self-employed in the Python coding space — full-time.
I’ve plenty of time reading Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings with my two kids. I’m studying computer science every day, just for fun, being on my quest for continuous improvement — and I can afford everything I need and want.
I tell you this because I truly believe that becoming self-employed on the side was one of the best decisions I ever made (yes, I had to overcome a lot of objections and fears like the above). Actually, not only did I create a side-business but I also used my growing experience for my real job to become more valuable as an employee.
And it all started with working as a Python freelancer. My first job paid about $80 per hour — but I was already an experienced coder. I gradually increased my hourly rate to $100-$150 per hour and then started to move most of my business outside freelancing platforms.
I share all that I have learned in my freelancing program here. The idea is that it pays for itself by means of higher freelancing income from day 1 for course students.
I am grateful for the experience working with my wonderful clients and I would like to share some of my most important insights — to save you weeks, if not months, of working on the wrong things. Your time truly is your most valuable asset — especially if you decide to become self-employed.
And even more importantly, there are only so many days, weeks, and years. Every unit of time just passes and never comes back. Don’t let all of those opportunities pass. You know as well as I do that it does not become easier to build your own business.
The best time to start your own business was ten years ago. The second best time is β¦ NOW!
So why not start your own (side) business as a Python programmer?
Side-hustling Python programmers have zero debt risk, zero liquidity risk, and zero downsides. Yet, there’s huge upside potential towards financial safety and stability — and a small step towards living the good life.
Create Your Python Business Now!
- Course: Become a Python Freelancer
In my comprehensive Python freelancer program, I will take you by the hand and introduce you to the rabbit hole of the Python programming language. It’s a combination of business advice and deep-dive into the Python programming language. Not shallow content like you’ll find in many other courses.
And on top of that, you’ll become a LIFETIME Finxter premium member with free access to ALL Python courses at the Finxter Computer Science Academy covering important topics such as object orientation, NumPy, data science, machine learning, algorithms, and Python basics.
You will reach the next level of coding for sure. I packed hundreds of Python puzzles into the program itself. Plus, you’ll also get books and unlimited puzzles on the Finxter.com app. If you feel satisfied with your training progress, you can download your individual Python certificate which proves your skill level to potential employers and clients.
The program is for everybody who wants to reach Python mastery — through a radical practice-oriented learning approach. Your personal training plan (a Google Spreadsheet) consists of 70% practice projects and 30% theory (e.g. puzzles, articles, tutorials).
I know you may think that I went into advertisement mode — but that’s just because I am so confident that this Python program will create a new high-income skill for you that is capable of earning hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next couple of years. This program can literally change the course of your life. It certainly has changed the life for hundreds of students before you.
The program costs less than a buck a day for a year but it will unlock a new skill with the power to transcend your career.
Learn more about how you’ll grow your new high-income skill Python — to bring more value to society and to capture more value for yourself.
Create Your Python Business Now!
https://blog.finxter.com/become-python-freelancer-course/
I know that you’ll enjoy the trip (well, sometimes it’ll be hard, too)β¦
More than 100+ hours of video training, hundreds of puzzles, free certificates, your first Python job working for us on Upwork, code projects, access to the Finxter Discord Mastermind group, detailed training plans, and more great learning features are awaiting you.