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Experienced Web Developer considering alternative role - advice please?

Thread title: Experienced Web Developer considering alternative role - advice please?
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02-20-2013, 02:45 PM
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PaperTiger is offline PaperTiger
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  Old  Experienced Web Developer considering alternative role - advice please?

Hi guys,

I'm an experienced web developer with around 10 years of experience. I specialise in ASP.NET its multiple related languages as well as all the usual front end stuff such as HTML and Javascript / jQuery.

I've been freelancing for the last 6 years and it generally suits me, there is variety in the companies I work for and the work I do.

However, I'm wondering if there is an opportunity for me to branch out here and broaden my skillset. My PC knowledge is rather broad (built many computers and a few servers, deployed and performance tested networks and systems, written bespoke service software etc) and I was hoping that there would be a job where I could better use this as well as use my interpersonal skills.
The infrequent roles where I have been client facing I have excelled at and very much enjoyed but most companies seem to employ a project manager or producer to act as a middle man for the client but often it seems they just slow things down or add confusion to a project. I don't have any design skills but my UX skills are growing just from industry experience (it kinda becomes common sense)

So I suppose what I'm asking is what are my job options?
Ideally I'd like to:
Use all of my broad expertise and not just be programming 100% of the time.
Preferably still do a little coding as necessary.
Talk to clients SOME of the time.

Would some kind of consultant role suit me? If so where should I start looking?
Is my only other option to become a CTO somewhere? Although with it generally being a role that freelancers are not accepted into I would have to lose my freedom!

Anyway, thanks for reading this far... I'm very grateful for any advice you guys can give maybe based on your own experience in different roles.

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02-21-2013, 12:50 PM
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Lowengard is offline Lowengard
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Paper Tiger
whether or not a consulting role would suit you (and where to go looking for one) may be so personality and site specific that you'd get a more viable answer from former clients and friends.

Why don't you start with a better definition of some goals? Put rudely, why do you think this is a good idea? What do you want to be doing and where in 3 or 5 years?

Then, you need to do some market research. What are the hiring projections in your region for people with the skills you want to develop?

If you just want to scratch that itch for new knowledge that's great. If you need this re-education to support you in the short or long term then a little prep work will save you time and money.

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