From Zero to Multiple Remote Offers | An incredible freelancing journey

Summary

In this engaging podcast, Vin shares his remarkable journey from a BCA student at a local college to landing a role at a YC-backed startup. Initially a commerce student with dreams of becoming a CA, Vin's path pivoted to computer science, leading him to freelance work and eventually a TA position in edtech. His proactive approach to learning, networking, and seizing opportunities, even when they seemed out of reach, showcases his impressive growth and adaptability. Vin's story emphasizes the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and the power of building a strong online presence to attract opportunities.

Takeaways

• 😲 The speaker was impressed by their own growth and the amount of work accomplished in a short time, which led to recognition from others.
• 🚀 The speaker transitioned from being a Teaching Assistant (TA) in edtech to working at a Y Combinator (YC) backed startup, showcasing significant career progression.
• 🏫 The speaker is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce (BC) from a local Tier 3 college and has observed a lack of awareness among peers about the opportunities available through hard work.
• 💡 The speaker's initial attraction to coding began in school with Java and basic HTML/CSS, and was further fueled by the desire to create cool applications.
• 🌐 The speaker's journey involved exploring opportunities beyond college, such as freelance work, which provided real-world exposure and experience.
• 🤝 Networking and community involvement played a crucial role in the speaker's growth, including participation in open-source projects and Twitter interactions.
• 🛠️ The speaker's technical skills were enhanced through practical experience, such as fixing and improving a 2-year-old startup's codebase, which led to a job offer.
• 📈 The speaker emphasizes the importance of being proactive, creating opportunities, and not relying solely on luck for career advancement.
• 📚 Learning web development was suggested as a good starting point due to its ease of testing and circulation, and the foundational skills it provides.
• 🗣️ English proficiency, particularly fluency and a good accent, was highlighted as essential for communication and standing out in the job market.
• 🔢 The speaker mentions the importance of Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) for developing problem-solving skills and meeting the initial technical requirements of big tech companies.

Q & A

What was the individual's initial career goal before pivoting to computer science?

The individual initially aimed to become a Chartered Accountant (CA), but later pivoted to computer science after developing an interest in coding.

How did the person's coding journey begin?

The person's coding journey began in their school's ICC curriculum, where they started learning Java in class 10th and basic HTML and CSS.

What was the individual's educational background before pursuing a BCA?

The individual had a Commerce background and studied in the same school for both 10th and 12th grades, without initially being a science student.

How did the person's interest in computer science develop?

The person's interest in computer science developed after being attracted to coding and building applications, which started as a hobby in school.

What was the individual's first freelance project about?

The individual's first freelance project involved building a website for a client introduced by someone close to their family.

How did the person's skills and professional experience grow in the last six months?

The person's skills and professional experience grew significantly through self-learning, networking, and hands-on experience in various projects, including freelance work and contributions to open-source projects.

What was the individual's initial hesitation about purchasing a coding course?

The individual was hesitant about the financial investment required for the coding course, as it was a considerable amount of money for them at that time.

How did the person get connected with the YC-backed startup?

The person got connected with the YC-backed startup through a Twitter DM from the founder who was impressed with their portfolio website and was looking for someone to help with a project.

What was the main task the individual performed for the YC company that impressed them?

The individual impressed the YC company by reviving and improving a two-year-old application, fixing bugs, adding features, and setting up deployment pipelines within a few days.

What advice does the person have for beginners looking to get into programming and startups?

The person advises beginners to start by learning a programming language, explore web development, maintain curiosity, and not lose the passion for learning and exploring new technologies.

How important is Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) according to the individual?

DSA is important for developing problem-solving skills and is a crucial part of the interview process for big tech companies, especially for internships and entry-level positions.

What role did English proficiency play in the individual's journey?

English proficiency played a significant role in the individual's journey, as it was essential for communication and standing out in professional settings. The individual improved their English by teaching a young boy through Twitter.