I've been coding since I was 16. And I have never made a single dollar from it.
Let that sink in.
Not because I didn't try. Not because I didn't want to. I wanted it badly.
The Junior Struggle
I remember submitting application after application to companies. Dozens. Maybe more. But that junior role? It feels like climbing Mount Everest with no gear.
Most of them want at least 5 years of experience for an entry-level job. Make it make sense. It honestly feels like if you don't lie on your CV, you're not getting in the door.
The Freelance Reality and the AI Shift
Freelancing? Don't even get me started. It's harder than ever to land a client. Why would someone hire a junior dev when they can go to Claude, type a prompt, and have a working website in ten minutes?
I'm not saying don't learn to code. I'm saying code because you love it. Code because it's fun. Code because it makes you feel like a creator.
Why I'm Still Here
Yeah, devs at big companies are making massive money. Good for them. But most of them started before the AI bubble. Before everyone and their mom got into tech. Before the market got this crowded.
I'm still coding. I still love it. But I wish someone had told me the truth earlier.
So here I am, telling you: Code for the joy of it. Not for the money. Because the money might never come.
Let's Discuss
Iām curious to hear from others in the same boat.
- Are you currently applying for roles? How does the market feel from your perspective?
- For those who did land a job recently, what was the "secret sauce" that got you through the door?
I'll be in the comments to talk more about this.
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