I attended the BCIT software systems developer program. Sometimes new graduates email me to ask questions. Here are three that came recently about being a freelance software developer.

You've been very fulfilled over your free lifestyle?

Yes. I have found my lifestyle fulfilling.

How did you go about starting to work right out of SSD?

Out of the SSD program, I used resumes and cover letters to apply for job postings. I also followed steps from What Color is Your Parachute. Further, I gave some presentations in the technical community both to software professionals and to laypersons.

Is there anything that you recommend to fill out my education?

Here are some (non-comprehensive) things that I did to fill out my education:

  1. Microsoft Learning Certifications. There certifications were quite good. I have not taken one for a while, though. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-overview.aspx

  2. StackOverflow Contributions. Answering questions there helped me to learn how to communicate technical ideas and to do practical research. https://stackoverflow.com/

  3. Project Euler Puzzles. While these do not give you the resume padding of the prior two points, they definitely help to learn about programming. https://projecteuler.net/

  4. Khan Academy Algorithms. This was a good learning experience for Algorithms. We didn't learn much about them in SSD. https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/algorithms

  5. Assertiveness Training. Having some training in how to stand up for yourself and express your ideas is vital (unless your parents were uncommonly good at this). https://www.amazon.com/Assertiveness-Workbook-Express-Yourself-Relationships/dp/1572242094