Are we being sold short?
I understand this may be a misinterpretation on my part - exchange rate falls heavily on one side here, and when converting from dollars to sterling things seem really cheap over here. But while browsing through freelance websites I can’t help but notice that these projects are really badly paid. For example, a $250 budget for a complete member system user levels and document sharing really doesn’t seem a whole lot. There’s a few days work there and spread out over say 3 days (including testing and enhancement requests) it works out at just over $10 an hour. WIthout seeming ungrateful, this is actually less than I’d get working in McDonald’s back home.
So what gives? Are freelancers just really badly paid over here, or are companies just trying to take advantage of desperate contractors? Back home I make an average of $50-60 an hour. Something ‘aint right.
Landed safely :-)
Ok so I actually landed a few days ago, but we’ve only just had our internet connection installed and I’m now in the process of catching up with postponed tasks and re-greasing the work wheels. I’m not able to work here legally, and I’m not willing to push my luck too much - I value my entry into the USA too much - so with any luck I’ll be able to find a contract back in London and do the work while I’m here.
It’s unfortunate that my latest client,
Tela LTD aren’t particularly efficient, or I might be in a better position. It’s been over two weeks now since we were supposed to resume development after testing, and I’ve heard very little (and nothing since I arrived in Kansas). In their defence, they are good payers - but to their demise their communication leaves a lot to be desired.
Ho hum, plenty more fish in the sea as they say.
Update: Tela did eventually get back to me, but as of 15 June I’m still waiting for the work to start..
There’s no place like.. gatwick?
Ok, so I have some bad memories of this place, but here I am sitting at Gatwick airport, and this time it’s all positive. I’m all checked in, I have my boarding pass, my bags are all in and ready - and I’m just sitting chilling in the smokers lounge waiting for my flight. Talking of which, I’d better finish this cigarette and take a wander. Don’t want to miss my flight (not like I’ve done that before or anything… *whistles*). See you on the other side.. Next stop, Atlanta!
There’s no place like home ;-)
I’m all packed and hanging around now. Just a few hours and I’ll be leaving the house for Kansas. I can’t wait to get back and see Athena.. 5 months is a long time when you miss someone close. Next stop, Gatwick airport.
Contract completed
Just completed a 3 month contract with DNA, working on a Flash 8 RIA front end to a J2EE e-commerce integration. Interesting project, and DNA are awesome to work with.
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About Me
I'm Cliff, some guy on a huge spinning rock flying through space. Somehow amongst all the spinning and the flying I manage to hold down a relatively good career as freelance software developer.
I'm a jack of all trades, master of some ;-)
My Flickr
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The Pradipta 416
