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Ask HN: How did you get from learning to code to making your first dollar?
2 points by chistev 11 days ago | hide | past | favorite | 3 comments




It took me 4 years from learning to code and getting my first check. My writing from 4 years ago (at 16 yrs old) is extremely cringe but here's a link: https://infosecwriteups.com/how-i-earned-47000-usd-as-a-high...

A lot of time has passed since then. There was a lot I didn't realize back then:

- With the money I earned + another bounty I got a year later, I was able to actually move to the UK for uni, something my parents never could've afforded

- Being known for reverse engineering was a huge factor in me getting 2 of my internships

- Having the background knowledge in cybersecurity has helped immensely for me as a software engineer for problem solving

- I am now building a startup in the cybersecurity space as a software engineer. No more relying on the good will of companies for bug bounties


so i started with python in like 2019, i was in 8th grade. i learned html, js, css in 2020 and i was able to make like really cool games and little chrome extensions for my sister and my mom lol. i realized i might have the skill to do stuff for real so i made a upwork profile and applied to a bunch of freelancer roles. got a bunch and made websites and all sorts of things, netted several k after a few weeks and i did this for 2 years on and off. I also thought at code ninjas lol. this was back in the day tho, a lot off ppl are not paying for swe freelance cuz of ai. i feel like now i would just grind projects that could become real tools, either youll make something that ppl pay for or u have a proof concept and get to work at cool tech companies.

Do you still use Upwork?



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