Need advice for new developer

Question

.NET

A little about myself (only for the purpose of clarifying the question).
Student of the 5th year, specialty KB. I love programming and I want to believe in what I can (although sometimes I have to be convinced of the opposite).

Of the PL, I normally only speak C # and, to a slightly lesser extent, C ++. Everything else is either very superficial or not tried at all. Nevertheless, I consider it quite possible to learn some new language if there is or will be a need. Fortunately, I was taught to program in general, and not a specific language.
From the second course, I decided that I would develop towards .NET and related technologies, which I have been doing with various success so far (ADO.NET, Windows Forms, WPF, a little ASP.NET).
I also worked a lot with various DBMS (MS SQL Server, Oracle Database, Postgre, MySQL), including in interaction with applications under the same .NET.
In general, I consider myself a fairly intelligent student - not the most intelligent, but one of the leaders in my group (sorry, if it sounds immodest).

There is a high probability that after graduating from the university (that is, in a year), due to certain circumstances, I will be forced to look for additional income (in addition to the main job). The presence of several jobs is excluded, as well as the search for a better paid one, so the choice falls on freelancing. After studying statistics on projects of various types from one of the popular freelance sites, I came to the conclusion (possibly incorrectly) that most of these projects are related to web development.

I'll get to the heart of the matter. I would be grateful for advice/recommendation: in the direction of which it is worth moving in such a situation, taking into account everything described above.
Namely:
1) Is it worth getting involved in web development, or does it make sense to do something else?
2) Is it worth trying to learn something new (PHP, CSS, etc. I have a near-zero level), or should I continue learning ASP.NET that I started?
In any case, I have nothing to throw in the portfolio (numerous labs-term papers-diplomas are unlikely to fit).
I set an intermediate goal during this year to put the development on stream (perhaps in a pair with a friend), and, as a result, have a relatively stable additional income (at least 10-15k rubles per month). Ideally, the ultimate goal is to change jobs in a few years (it won’t work before) in such a way that the skills acquired and improved during the work as a freelancer go to the asset at the new job.

In a word, what further development path would you recommend? I apologize for the length and large size of the question, I hope for understanding and practical advice. Thank you.

Answer 1

If you know C# and .Net well, stay with them. Arguments:
1. Freelancing often (but not as often as the web) there are small projects that are possible (and probably easier) to do on this platform, you will not be left without money.
2. Learning php will very likely lead you to compete on cost with schoolchildren and other weak programmers.
3. It is better to know at least something well than to know a lot but badly. Once you become a .Net expert, you can easily find a good job with over $n000 salary.
PS But if you are a romantic at heart, the path of the warriors of light is s/s++))).

Answer 2

Go where you want. Studying the market on a freelance site is not very wise. Any specialists are needed, while there are not very many normal programmers and they are always in great demand.
Web technologies at a superficial level are easier to learn than C++, for example. Therefore, freelance exchanges are filled with "Indians" who are ready to work for $ 5 per hour. It will be very difficult for you to compete at this level, almost impossible. Therefore, you need to become a professional in order to compete at other levels, where clients do not save on development by hiring "Indians".
To be honest, it is not very clear to me why a person studying one of the most popular technologies at the moment thinks about PHP. I don't believe that a .NET developer can't find a freelance project. In addition, now development for mobile OS continues to gain momentum (the same odesk is inundated with proposals for writing software for iOS). Why not pay attention to it? If you are already trying to find something that is in great demand now, then try to find a niche that is not overcrowded. Try your hand at WP7 for example, suddenly burn out with the platform? Then you can get into a good jet. In general, there is a lot to advise here. But the choice is up to you, and it is better for you to make it yourself. You know yourself best and you can best understand the consequences of your decision, right there people will speak out from their bell tower and not a fact,
PS "Indians" should be understood as low-skilled coders , of any nationality and religion. I have no complaints about the religious group of Indians :)

Answer 3

Recently decided to look at oDesk. I approached thoroughly - I filled out everything I could, passed various tests on oDesk itself (hit the top 1% in the .NET test). I did not add anything to the portfolio (this is the specifics). I applied for three vacancies, one each was taken to a very complex .NET project as a Senior Developer with good (in my opinion) pay. Actually, why I am writing this is that there is work for a .NET developer now, and not necessarily as a website developer. Corporate distributed applications are just a .NET niche, and it’s worth developing in this direction (unless, of course, you choose .NET). WPF, ASP.NET MVC, Windows Azure (it is becoming more popular at the moment), little-known WiF, all sorts of Entity Framework and so on - there are a lot of technologies in the stack, you should not stop at ASP.NET. C\C++ helps a lot too, as well as at least basic knowledge of Unix platforms. Also, despite the skepticism of many towards certificates (I also treat them rather coolly), foreign customers appreciate them (especially MCPD) and therefore it won’t hurt to get a couple.
PS: and the fact that there are many orders for php should not confuse you. You don't need many, you need one.

Answer 4

There is tough competition in web development. Due to the seemingly low threshold of entry, a huge number of shkoloty massively damage the reputation of the industry. In order to compete (including finding a decent job), you will have to spend several years on additional training.
In gamedev, it's a little more interesting. Revenues in the industry are slightly below average, but the situation is simpler and the market is enviably stable.
Before creating something new in general, even for a portfolio, it makes sense to delve into other people's solutions. Take exemplary open source products and try to understand how they work, modernize something, etc.
It will also be useful to study the theory. You need to know the patterns, techniques and basics - it helps a lot with work.

Answer 5

IMHO, the path of the warriors of the world today is node.js/eglang :)
If you decide to go into web development, you can't do without a basic understanding of the client side, so css/js is required in a minimal amount. And if you try js and realize that there is a whole universe besides the “classic” oop…

Answer 6

The question is really broad. For myself, I understood it in such a way that I still study in order to become better. That is, you do not know where to go next.
Your track record is very decent, you are already a great fellow. Next comes the honing of skills and experience.
Whatever niche you occupy, develop there.
It will be .NET - platform - great.
Personally, I prefer java / j2ee / j2se. But this is a matter of taste.
So here are the tips:
0. Buy/Download McConnell's Perfect Code
This book is a gem for a developer. I bought it myself on the advice of a teacher in the 3rd year, I never regretted it. I still open it and find something new for myself there.
1. Check your understanding of OOP principles. Principlesclass design and so on.
Knowing about the existence of design patterns and their application is also desirable.
2. Quality knowledge of the SQL language will help you check this site . It also makes sense to re-read the principles of database design. Normal forms and more.
3. If you hit the Web, then you need to know
HTML, CSS, JS, you need to know at least what it is and how it works.
and so it is good to know the HTTP protocol and the principles of network interaction.
In short, I hope you understand the idea, it is best to accumulate a package of general knowledge and experience about development. Such developers were always valued dearly. With such knowledge, work is better and more efficient.

Answer 7

Do you consider the option to leave Moscow and work remotely for a Moscow salary?
We have here 40-50 thousand rubles is considered a fairly good income :)

Answer 8

Many thanks to everyone for the advice, apparently, it’s really worth continuing the development “in depth” (.NET and others like it). I, in general, and planned, but decided to consult with the public. :)
Probably, I will try to catch on to someone's projects as an assistant, with subsequent permission to add them to my portfolio. You have to go to the market somehow.

Answer 9

Another option: get a job in some outsourcing office remotely with a free schedule of 10 hours a week. It won't be too stressful, but additional income will appear. The disadvantages are standard: someone is looking for projects for you and receives a percentage from this, but even in case of failure, you are not the one who loses.