In 2022, the speaker achieved their dream of becoming a software engineer at a major company in London. However, they quickly realized that despite the job being better than previous roles and offering more freedom, it was still challenging to get ahead financially. Rising living costs and relatively stagnant salaries made saving difficult, leading the speaker to quit after only a few months. Reflecting on this experience, they advise against pursuing the traditional software engineering path in 2025 and instead recommend a different approach that still involves coding but offers greater financial and lifestyle freedom.
The traditional path to becoming a software engineer has long involved obtaining a computer science degree, passing rigorous interviews at big tech companies, and securing a high-paying job. While this route remains viable and lucrative compared to many other careers, it has become more competitive and less rewarding due to fewer job openings, increased competition, and companies lowering pay packages. Additionally, the high cost of college education and rising living expenses further diminish the benefits of this conventional career trajectory.
Instead of following the old path, the speaker suggests becoming an independent software engineer. This means bypassing traditional employment by freelancing directly for clients or building and selling your own software products. This approach leverages the same coding skills but allows for greater control over income and work-life balance. Freelancing offers higher pay since you are compensated directly for the value you provide, while building your own product has an even higher income potential, though it requires more risk and effort upfront.
To succeed as an independent software engineer, the speaker recommends learning to code through online resources or affordable paid programs, building a strong portfolio of projects, and mastering a specific tech stack. They emphasize the importance of deploying and hosting projects efficiently, recommending platforms like Sabala to simplify this process. Whether freelancing or creating products, building real-world projects is essential to develop skills and demonstrate competence to clients or users.
Finally, the speaker advises relocating to countries with a lower cost of living, such as Vietnam or Thailand, to maximize financial gains and enjoy a higher quality of life. This strategy reduces expenses and taxes while allowing you to live comfortably on a modest income earned through freelancing or your own software business. While applying for traditional jobs can serve as a backup plan, the speaker strongly encourages embracing this new independent path as a faster, easier, and more rewarding way to build wealth and freedom in 2025.
