I’m a software engineer by trade but now I teach others how to write code. When I’m not doing that I work with clients to write teaching material for the products they own, and I run a non-profit in my spare time. I hate the phrase “digital nomad” but I’m writing this from a co-working space in Morocco, so the shoe fits. Here’s a brain dump:
* There’s an expectation that when you start a project you’ll be able to hit the ground running; clients don’t want to pay for you to ramp up to become productive. Luckily, starting a new job is something you get better at with practice; you learn how to phrase the dumb new-guy questions and abstract just enough that you’re competent quickly. Part of this is showmanship.
* That said, you’re a subject matter expert in your field.
* Perhaps you’re able to work off-site, in which case you’ll need better time-management skills than you might need at a traditional desk-bound job in your field. Perhaps you travel a lot for work or otherwise.
* Unless you’ve got a solid client-base you might find yourself hustling for work. Certainly your client-management and self-marketing skills will be better than someone who changes jobs once every three or four years.
* You might get to choose your holidays. I’ll be working over Christmas.
* You’ll have more cash money but no benefits unless you pay for them yourself. I’m from the UK so I don’t have quite the same healthcare issues as my friends across the pond, but I’ve got to manage my relationship with the state explicitly.
* I’ve got a fucktonne of airmiles.
* Maybe you’ll work unpredictable hours in weird places, so explicitly making time for your family and friends is important. I don’t bump into mates any more, so making friends is just something you have to make a point of.
* You’ll be more exposed to boom and bust hiring practices - supposedly, you’re charging more money as your position with a client is more mercenary.
* Unstructured work isn’t for everyone. I don’t like the idea of going back to an office job with a boss any more, but it’s different strokes for different folks. In the last month I’ve worked in New York, Montreal, London and (now) a small town in Morocco. Next month I’ll be in Ghana then London. I love it, but that much solo travel puts a strain on whatever kind of relationship you enjoy with people.