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