Making Money
Code School Book — Morgan Lopes and Tim Whitacre (13/30)
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There are multiple options to make money in tech. None are perfect.
The first paycheck I (Morgan) ever earned in technology wasn’t glamorous. I didn’t have a job title or formal training. It was for a company with no connection to the broader tech industry. Most of my job consisted of creating physical order fulfillment and tracking systems, not software. The day-to-day looked a lot like organizing a warehouse.
I started maintaining an e-commerce website on the side. Then I began building basic landing pages, also on the side. No CSS. No JavaScript. A lot of Adobe Dreamweaver. It would be years before my official role involved software engineering.
There are multiple options to make money in tech. None are perfect. Whatever it looks like for you, get going. You can and likely will change course later — and remember that the ways in which you are compensated may vary along the way.
Total Compensation
There is more to consider about making money than just your paycheck. Several factors impact the compensation you receive and can make or break the economics of your work. The following outline many of the most significant factors (outside of salary) that impact the final take-home package:
- Equity / Stock options
- Health insurance
- Vacation & time off
- Retirement
- 401k match
- Commission
- Profit share
- Continuing education
- Perks
- Reimbursements
There are also the intangibles. These items do not have a direct, guaranteed return on investment but will impact everyday enjoyment and career opportunities presented throughout the work.
- Team members you work with.
- Autonomy within your position.
- Status inside and outside the company.
- Mission of the organization.
- Creativity to solve problems and choose projects.
- Pressure to complete work or hit goals.
- Upward mobility to outgrow current position.
If it seems like a lot, you are right. Comparing your options can be mind-numbing and overwhelming. There is no standard formula or true point of comparison. My primary suggestion is simple: If you’re new to a career, solve for the current season of life. Instead of getting stuck in the future and long-term potential, identify the most compelling option for today. Understanding these variations and ways of being rewarded help inform your decision-making as you decide on which work option you desire.
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