CS Dreamers Do you do freelance, how did you start?

I am wondering if there are any dreamers who are into computer science or programming. I have been thinking of ways to increase my income but any ideas I get are either high risk or they require a lot of time which I do not have. Also my job does not allow me to have conflicting business related to the stuff I am good at in terms of the automotive industry (suppliers/electrical/mechanical work). I also do not want to sell tacos or food as it is a lot of hard work.

I have a M.S in Mech engineering and work full time in the automotive industry but I really need a way to use other skills to get ahead.

I hear of people who do freelance work as a programmer/web developer/contract work etc...

I am curious to see if any of you know have done projects on the side and or know people who do.

I am currently working towards another Masters, this time in Computer Science. I would really like to start putting some of the things I learn to work.


Thank you

I have an EE but I started doing backend and frontend developer for a new position I obtained. Then I moved on to firmware while still maintaining SQL DBA, and the web application. I am now moving on to HMI development in wpf.

I've been thinking of doing web dev (Django) on the side but I think it is a fierce competition out there especially with companies like squares pace and other free Lance's.

That discouraged me because of competition and long hours of work aside of my full time job.

I was thinking of doing a masters in CS, but I was told by an existing firmware dev to stay in EE. There are too many CS people specially from around the world. EE is much more diverse and with a background in programming it will make you more valuable than a CS.

That's the way I see it. Euler I recommend you do not go ahead with CS but rather EE. Based on the job you do, I believe you would be more valuable with an EE than a CS. When it comes to programming, you can learn all that stuff on your own.

tacos ? You had to go there ?

I am working on my Masters also and I am doing contract work. contract work like anything is a business and you have to look at it as such. Don't shortchange yourself, look at it as a business, keep the good clients and ditch the bad ones.

I started off with a few clients working as a remote freelancer and have been working my way up the food chain so to speak. Now, I have one main client that pays well and keeps bugging me to come on board full time. I live a fairly nomadic life style and living in the bay area is not that appealing.

If you are close to a native speaker and understand US culture, you have a pretty large advantage in freelancing. I have contracted for a few clients that were using low end off shore developers and it was horrible. Firms will pay more per hour to be able to communicate with their devs, and those are the ones you want.

For me, whatever freelance projects I take, it all boils down to luck and relationship.
I found this job online as a freelance writer for a travel company. The payment is average, but enough for me as a little side job as I already have a full time job.
The second freelance work is as a book editor. I got this job from a guy I know at my previous workplace. All I did while being his co-worker is presenting myself as a very careful person (at times being a grammar police).

I'm looking for ideas for making extra money on the side too. I have a full-time job and looking to do something during the weekend. I looked into web development but don't think it's a good idea.

Thank you for the reply! definitely good income.

Thanks for the input. I understand your point about CS. I am more into embedded software which is a good skill to have. My employer helps pay for the Masters so I will only have to invest a few thousand for some classes that are pre-reqs.


I am looking into e-commerce which seems to be low risk at the moment.


Glad to see others are looking into alternatives.


I really want to start a business so I can help ease the burden from my aging parents. That is my main motivation as well.

What kind of web development?

Like web design?


What is your starting point?

This is a good start! Glad you are able to find some projects on the side!