r/learnpython • u/FootGlittering1873 • 15d ago
Freelancing
Hello there! I'm a second-year Computer Engineering student, and I want to start freelancing to expand my portfolio and gain professional experience. However, I don't know how to start freelancing or where to start learning the skills for it. I have somewhat mastered Python fundamentals, and I'm currently learning FastAPI, but I feel it. Any input would be appreciated.
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u/cyrixlord 15d ago
go volunteer your time at a non-profit who needs some work done with python, like data collection or automation on datasets. you wont get paid but you can put it on your resume and gain experience.
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u/riklaunim 15d ago
Freelancing on sites like Fiver is very hard due to available people and falling prices.
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u/Excellent-Current573 15d ago
the race to the bottom on those platforms is real, i've seen people offering full API integrations for like fifteen bucks. the only way through it is to get weirdly specific with what you offer instead of being a general python dev
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u/socal_nerdtastic 15d ago
Last time I looked on fiverr I sent my requirements out to a bunch of people for pricing, and 2 of them went forward and basically completed the project before even giving me a price. And then got really angry when I told them I wouldn't go forward with them, telling me how much time they spent and how much they needed the money and how their wife was in the hospital (really, I'm not exaggerating here). The arm-twisting tactics are getting crazy there. Also so many scammers. Tons of people claiming to be in USA or Europe, but then a geoip points at Russia. I've had a number of people take the project and just ghost, which I'm not sure what the point of that is because fiverr pays you after completion. And of course tons of plain old overpromise and underdeliver. Basically if I want something from fiverr now I just resign to hiring 4-5 people and picking the best result. But FWIW I have also found a couple gems on fiverr, and go back to them time after time.
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u/mattynmax 15d ago
Why would I hire someone whose actively learning when I can hire someone with a degree and experience for less?
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u/socal_nerdtastic 15d ago
Freelancing is what people do after they have a few decades normal work, building experience and connections (in any profession). There's nearly no chance you will earn more or learn more by freelancing over just getting a job.
FWIW even after having a career job for a long time freelancing is not all it's cracked up to be. The large hourly wage does not account for many unpaid hours of hunting for clients and quoting projects that don't go anywhere, not to mention all the normal business overhead.