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Mohamed ElBahrawy is a distinguished software engineer with over 17 years of experience. He began his coding journey in high school in 2003 and officially kickstarted his professional career in 2008. Since 2015, Mohamed has adeptly navigated the remote work landscape, collaborating with esteemed clients across diverse sectors such as fintech, government, manufacturing, e-commerce, social media, and beyond.
His technical prowess spans from frontend development to the intricate world of machine learning. Over the years, Mohamed has donned various roles, transitioning from hands-on engineering tasks to esteemed positions as a tech lead.
Originally from Egypt, Mohamed has made a significant mark on the global tech community through his dedication and adaptability. Outside his professional endeavors, he is an avid reader and always on the lookout for his next travel adventure.
Connect with Mohamed to learn more.
Listen to the Podcast Here, or Find it Wherever You Get Your Podcasts:
Here are Five Things We Cover:
- Continuous Learning: Mohamed emphasizes the importance of constantly learning and improving coding skills. Algorithms, data structures, and coding challenges should be mastered through practice to attract clients.
- Versatility and Diverse Skills: Being versatile in your skill set increases your chances of finding employment opportunities. Having diverse expertise, rather than specializing in one area, makes you more valuable as a freelancer.
- Showcasing Experience: When applying for freelance work, it’s crucial to demonstrate past experience and successful project delivery. Utilize platforms like GitHub or social media accounts to showcase your work and highlight ongoing learning and certificates.
- Financial Planning: As a freelancer, it’s essential to have cash reserves for emergencies and when contracts end. The financial freedom that comes with contract work allows for better management of finances, including saving, retirement, and day-to-day expenses.
- Travel and Cultural Exposure: Contract work provides the freedom to travel and experience new places, which positively impacts work and relationships with clients. Interacting with various cultures and mindsets fosters personal growth as a problem solver and leader.
Here are Three Actionable Takeaways From This Episode
- Acquiring Programming Skills: Mohamed shared his journey of learning programming from scratch, emphasizing the importance of practice and perseverance. The actionable advice here is to start with a programming language of your choice and dedicate time to learning and practicing coding. There are plenty of resources available online, such as coding tutorials, online courses, and coding challenges. Showcase your experience by building projects and sharing them on platforms like GitHub to attract potential clients.
- Freelancing Opportunities: Mohamed discussed the changing landscape of freelancing platforms, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the advantage of being a freelancer and working with clients from different countries. The actionable advice is to showcase your past experience and successful project deliveries through platforms like GitHub or social media accounts. Additionally, focus on ongoing learning and obtain certifications to demonstrate your progress. Applying to freelance opportunities often and attending interviews regularly can increase your chances of finding contracts.
- Starting Your Own Business: Mohamed shared his experience of transitioning from working full-time to starting his own business as a freelancer. He stressed the importance of having cash on hand for emergencies and planning for the end of contracts. The actionable advice is to save enough money and build a financial cushion before venturing into freelancing or starting your own business. Understand that as a freelancer, clients have control over the projects, so it’s essential to find a balance between satisfying client requirements and maintaining your own autonomy.