If you are a creative, self-motivated, critical, detail oriented individual, who wants to learn how to make a living designing/developing websites and/or web applications, then this video is a good starting place for you! You don’t need a whole lot of money to get started and you don’t necessarily even need a degree from the university. What you need comes from the drive in your heart to succeed and persevere; these are qualities nobody can instill in you besides yourself.

Starting out in the big Wide Web

Speaker: Anna Debenham
Conference: Heart and Sole

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As somebody who had a good university education, I can honestly say that while it often helps, it is not absolutely essential. Aside from the basic programming, math and writing skills I learned at the university; most of the highly specialized skills I’ve learned have been figured out, either on the job, or on my own time. Almost all of the skills I’ve gained have been due to my own perseverance and motivation.

Just going to the university isn’t enough to make you successful, though it can often land you one of those government jobs where you sit there all day in meetings; but who really wants that? Oftentimes, going to the university can get you into a load of debt; which can lead to a lifetime of interest payments.

Whatever your inclination, if you do wish to get into professional web design/development, it would be wise to consider getting into freelancing early on. The more real world experience you have, the more valuable you will be to your customers.

If you come out of school without any real world experience, you may find yourself surprised to find out that you have a long way to go before you are ready to do non-academic projects.