Earn While Learning
How to sell your skill while still learning as a newbie
Imagine being excited at the thought of learning a new tech skill. You envision all the amazing things you’ll create once you master it. But along the journey, the harsh reality of financial constraints creeps in, casting a shadow over your enthusiasm. It’s disheartening when these obstacles slow your progress, leaving you frustrated and discouraged. It’s a struggle to keep pushing forward when financial burdens suffocate your dreams and make you feel like giving up. If you find yourself in such a situation, first you need to belong to a community that can help you through the journey of learning like Dome Academy, and then, learn how to earn while learning.
In this article, you will discover 5 practical ways to make some bucks from your skill even though you are still a beginner.
#1 Internship
Internship is the most popular way to earn while learning. You can enroll for either onsite or remote internships. One great thing about internships is that you don't only get to earn but also have access to mentors and get to build experience by building products/services people use in the real world. You have to take the step of researching for paid internships in the tech field, you can use online job boards or professional networking platforms to find paid internships. Some sites to hunt for paid internships are Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Indeed, Google, Wayup, Internjobs, etc.
#2 Hackathon
If you love to code and are the kind of person who loves new or emerging technology, then you'd love Hackathons. Hackathons are building competitions where you alongside a team of others have to create a solution to a problem in a short time. There is a price pool ranging from a few hundred dollars to about a million and most often you can win prizes for emerging top in certain categories. You will also have the opportunity to network with professionals like you and potential employers. Some sites to hunt for available hackathons are; Hackaearth, Devpost, HackerRank, Hackathon, Devfolio, etc.
#3 Freelance Gigs
Wiggling your eyes and wondering what gig is right? Well, gigs are services you provide and get paid for it. From the knowledge you have acquired while learning, you can sell that skill. If you are a developer, you can take up gigs for small and medium businesses. For instance, building a landing page, etc. for businesses and getting paid for it. You can decide to build a website for the business of a family member or relative. You can get gigs from small businesses in the community as well as from sites like Fiverr, Upwork, LinkedIn, X, etc.
#4 Teaching
Wondering why teaching is also one of the ways to earn while learning? One idea is to teach kids. Kids? Yeah, kids! If you are a developer, you can teach kids how to code. Taking up a coding class for kids is a great way to earn and as well learn. Teaching while learning is also of great benefit to you. Want to know how? Check out this article - A Better Way to Learn. The timing and price all depend on you. All you have to do is talk to parents that will be interested to pay for your service. It doesn't even have to be kids, you could create short introductory online courses and publish them online.
#5 Content Creation
Content Creation is a powerful way to not only share your coding journey but also to gradually establish yourself as an authority in your field. You can start a blog or YouTube channel where you document your learning experiences, challenges, and victories. Share tutorials, tips, project walkthroughs, and insights you've gained. Your audience will appreciate your authenticity and may even learn alongside you. Keep engaging your audience to build a community of people who will keep coming back for more. Once your content gains traction and you have a steady audience, you can explore monetization options.
Yes! You Can
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt
Every step you take toward your goals, no matter how small, is progress. Remember, success is not about where you are right now, but about the journey you're on and the determination you have to keep moving forward. As Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right." Believe in yourself and your abilities, because you are capable of achieving amazing things. Keep pushing through the challenges, keep learning, and keep believing in yourself. You can do it!
Remember, while earning from a skill you're learning, prioritize continued growth and improvement. Use the feedback you receive from clients to refine your skills and enhance your offerings. Stay dedicated, keep learning, and embrace every opportunity that comes your way.
If you're eager to dive into the tech world or crave guidance, you can join our community of dedicated learners at Dome Academy or you can reach out to us through our WhatsApp chat using this link.
This is such a detailed explanation to help scale the tough atmosphere of the tech ecosystem in naija and the world at large. . . Many thanks for this.