Significant Career Lesson From a Freelance Software Engineer
Ryan's most significant career lesson is that "there's no harm in asking," advocating for proactive outreach to potential employers. This approach led to a long-term client relationship after Ryan, inspired by a software product, directly contacted the company and highlighted their shared technical skills.
Career Exploration, Job Search Strategies, Networking, Proactive Job Hunting, Direct Outreach
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ryan Yost
Software Engineer
Freelance/Contractor
University of Michigan
None
Spanish & Other Languages, Economics
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Honors Student, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Don't hesitate to reach out to companies, even if they aren't actively advertising openings. Many great opportunities arise from proactive networking.
2. Don't self-reject; let the company decide if you're not a fit. Applying broadly and directly contacting companies you admire can lead to unexpected success.
3. Identify companies whose products you love and leverage your passion to connect with them. This genuine interest can create strong client relationships and long-term opportunities.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
The one lesson I would share is when you're considering what to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to companies. For instance, if you're wondering whether to ask if they have open positions, just ask. There's no harm in it.
The best opportunities that have come up for me have been from simply acting on an impulse and putting something out there, which then led to something super cool. You shouldn't rule yourself out. Let the company decide by not responding or saying they don't need anyone right now.
That's another way to find what you want. You could apply to big companies on job boards, or if you use a product you really love, reach out even if they aren't listing many openings. You can see if they might need someone in the future.
That's what I would say. During the pandemic, I became obsessed with screenwriting and started using related software. I loved it so much that I inspected their code and saw they were using technology I was familiar with. So, I reached out, and they've been my client for years.