Matt RaibleMatt Raible is a Web Developer and Java Champion. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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10+ YEARS


Over 10 years ago, I wrote my first blog post. Since then, I've authored books, had kids, traveled the world, found Trish and blogged about it all.

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Thursday May 06, 2004

Being an independent sucks

Richard Monson-Haefel seems to hate being an independent consultant. Personally, I love it - but I've only been doing it for 3 years. He's been independent for 5. I hope when my 5 year anniversary rolls around - I'm not looking for a full-time gig. But you never know. One of the things that I see a lot of independent consultants doing wrong is traveling. Traveling sucks - plain and simple. Being away from your family in the name of a higher hourly rate seems stupid. Then again, I've been fortunate enough to always find work in Denver - half of it where I'm working from home. I do realize that a lot of independents don't live in a tech-rich town like Denver, but why don't you move! Actually, the only reason we're still in Denver over West Palm or San Diego is because the contracts keep flowing. If they dry up - yeah, we'll probably be moving closer to the ocean. But if we move and I'm traveling for gigs - what's the point? I guess Julie's happiness (she loves the ocean) plays a part, eh? ;-)

I traveled a lot in March and April, but I don't plan on doing too many more stints like that. I guess June-July might be a bit rough with JavaOne and OsCon, but after that - I hope to stay put. We'll see - let's hope I get lucky enough to continue finding local contracts.

Posted in General at May 06 2004, 05:39:01 PM MDT 4 Comments
Comments:

I'm glad that you are having such a great time as an independent. I wish you all the best. A lot of people do very well as independents and I'm not trying or discourage folks - I say go for it! I was just relating my personal story. I live in Minneapolis and while there is a fair amount of work to be had here the rates are just too low to make it worthwhile. You're right of course, we could move, but my wife's family lives here and our children love to play with their cousins and we have many friends here. I guess its a quality of life issue. I plan to stay in Minneapolis, which is why I'm trying to change from independent to ... well what ever comes next ... so that I can stay in the town my family loves. Best of luck to you, Richard

Posted by Richard Monson-Haefel on May 07, 2004 at 11:23 AM MDT #

<em>> I guess its a quality of life issue.</em>

I completely agree. Money definitely isn't everything - but freedom is <em>huge</em> in my opinion. I'd hate to take a full-time gig with 2 weeks vacation after taking 5-6 weeks off the last couple of years. Of course, with your credentials, I'm sure you'll do fine - even with a full-time gig.

Posted by Matt Raible on May 07, 2004 at 05:16 PM MDT #

<off-topic> Sam Dalton and I will be at JavaOne next month so it'd be great to meet up for a beer or four. :-) </off-topic>

Posted by Simon Brown on May 08, 2004 at 03:44 PM MDT #

I've been independent since 1997.. I've only had one permanent job since college (1.5 yrs), and I would hate to go permy again.. the lack of office politics and the $$ are the main reasons I like being independent, as well as the freedom. The supposed downsides (lack of job security, inability to get a mortgage because of self employment, for example) haven't really affected me to date.. maybe I've just been lucky though. People tell me that "having to really stay on top of your game" as an independent would deter them, but it suits me 100%.. so maybe its a personality thing. The one thing is that where I am (Dublin, Ireland), theres a limited number of contracts to be had, so u really need to do a good job for your client, and if u occasionally dislike your environment, u really have to think about it before upping and leaving! All in all though, I would highly recommend it for technically strong and (more importantly) highly self-motivated people!

Posted by Colm O Flaherty on May 11, 2004 at 05:31 AM MDT #

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