(Java) "Side Hustle" Ideas For NEW Java Developers? Or any developers.

[Kiyullo]

I'm getting pretty close to the point where I can start applying for jobs, but a lot of people have been talking about how common it is for developers to get laid off (sometimes within days after they start working). I'm sure this doesn't happen to most developers, but I'd rather be prepared.

Many developers also stress the importance of having a "side hustle" along with their job.

 

Spoiler

The only side hustle I can think of having is Minecraft plugin development, but back when I was building Minecraft servers (not plugins) I had a unique view of the plugin development community. it seemed to me like being able to make significant profits from Minecraft plugins depends on various factors, including time and luck.

Most premium plugin developers have to spend loads of time on their plugin for it to get popular and profitable. The less time they work on the plugin, the more luck they need to profit.

On the other hand, free plugins have a much easier time becoming popular and profitable only if the plugin is supremely useful and versatile. So even though the plugin is free, it's so popular that they can easily profit from donations.

 

Either way, in the beginning it would require loads of time to build a plugin for production, and get it off the ground. On top of that, there are many different Minecraft versions and the game updates all of the time. If a developer can't keep up with that, they are less likely to get their plugin off of the ground.

On top of ALL of that, there are already various plugins for each playstyle of Minecraft. The most popular and profitable Minecraft plugins most likely can't be overtaken by similar new plugins at this point. unless the plugin devs just pull the plug on their project, customers don't have much of a reason to buy newer plugins that do almost the same thing, unless it's somehow a MUCH better plugin, which might not be possible in most cases. In other words, there's a lot of competition.

I could go on but I'm rambling too much.

 

So it's not much of a "side hustle" if it's like having a second full time job, right?

 

What are some ideas for side hustles that new Java developers can get into?

Feel free to include side hustle ideas for any other type of software developer.

[FuzzyLogic]

The most common one I've seen is woodworking, believe it or not. People seem to spend a lot on furniture and you can make some pretty impressive stuff if you get good at it. One of my CS professors even had an entire website dedicated to showing off his creations.

[codesidian]

How about:

What are some ideas for side hustles that new Java developers can get into?

Heck, even:

What are some ideas for side hustles that new Java developers can get into?

 

Java isn't really relevant when it comes to what tech you can build. Unless you're talking about working with a specific framework/existing tech such as minecraft. If you want a side hustle specifically tailored to software development then there's a couple of options i can think of.

First being contract/freelance work. You will definitely need to check your current employment contract when it comes to this one since you'll be working for another party even if it is out of hours. This can be a breach of some contracts. That being said, it's viable and pretty easy to pick up if you have a decent portfolio. 

Another option would be to solve a problem, and charge for it/ask for donations. Any ideas I could throw your way would be viable opportunities for myself so I guess you'll need to figure out this one on your own.   Create a SaaS product, a tool that people may want to use etc. 

 

As for non-dev related side hustles, i'm not too sure. There seems to be a rush towards 3D printing crap and flogging it on etsy/ebay so you could try that. 

 

In regards to job security - I don't think that's true at all. If you work in a volatile area such as opting to work for startups then sure, since startups fail. However, this isn't ever a problem because the lack of devs overall. Finding a job is crazy easy once you have experience. Though, I can only talk about my own experiences and those around me.

[Takumidesh]

21 hours ago, Kiyullo said:

Many developers also stress the importance of having a "side hustle" along with their job.

I only see this from clickbait youtube videos and sketchy advertisements on bus stops.

What makes you think developer jobs are so fickle? I guess if you consider silicon valley to be the only dev jobs that exist, but I guarantee there are a hundred insurance companies, credit unions, law firms, and countless other corpo jobs that need developers all around you.

 

side hustles are a myth IMO anyway. you are either working two jobs, or not. Just because you care less about one of the jobs doesn't make it any less jobby.

[Guest]

It's possible using websites like Upwork, Fiverr and freelancer. 

 

Realistically, these are extremely underpaid for time investment and expertise. 

 

It's possible but at a huge disadvantage. You're competing with people in India and China and Taiwan offering much lower rates because of cost of living and their expertise being higher. 

[Vicarian]

2 hours ago, Takumidesh said:

I only see this from clickbait youtube videos and sketchy advertisements on bus stops.

What makes you think developer jobs are so fickle? I guess if you consider silicon valley to be the only dev jobs that exist, but I guarantee there are a hundred insurance companies, credit unions, law firms, and countless other corpo jobs that need developers all around you.

 

side hustles are a myth IMO anyway. you are either working two jobs, or not. Just because you care less about one of the jobs doesn't make it any less jobby.

This.  I saw "This 28-year-old built a side hustle that brings in $30,000/month: ‘I only have to work 6 hours a week'" as a link on some news site I doomscroll.  Turns out its a guy operating a vending machine business, and that 30K is gross (not net) income.  Guy has a couple part time employees, so his take home is probably a pittance.  Clickbait in the extreme.

[wasab]

php is actually the best language for freelancing side hustle. java is more a your main full time job