I’m reaching out for sincere advice as I navigate a major career and maybe life transition.
My background is in the medical field— yes I know, its messed up — but due to personal circumstances, I’m no longer able to pursue that path. A while ago, I learned web development with the goal of freelancing from home, and while I made some progress and enjoyed it, I felt a rug pull due to the rapid rise of AI tools. Midjouney was decent in the start with Discord but now its just mind blowing what it can do.
I’m a creative, artistic person, and I still want to build a fulfilling, financially secure career—ideally as a freelancer working remotely, which is a necessity for me due to my situation/condition/sh*t.
MY GOAL IS FINANCIAL SECURITY ABOVE ALL. and if possible working from home. I DONOT want a 9-5 job.
Right now, I’ve narrowed my focus to three potential paths and would deeply appreciate input from experienced developers or anyone who’s walked a similar road:
Web Development – Should I double down and master it? I know there’s value in getting strong at the fundamentals before incorporating AI into my workflow, but I’m unsure how viable this path will be in the next few years, especially with automation evolving so fast. Is there still solid future financial potential here?
AI/ML – I’ve been looking into Arman Khondker’s roadmap for learning AI. It feels very different from what I’m naturally inclined toward, and the heavy math component is intimidating. AI IS THE FUTURE but ill be starting from absolute zero like linear algebra zero in 2025.
Cybersecurity – This recently caught my interest. It seems like a field with growing demand and stability. But I’m not sure how well it suits someone with a more artistic, creative mind, and I don’t know how the entry path compares to web dev or AI. zero clue here.
I’m 32, unmarried and still in my folks home and I feel I’m kinda going senile as is, so I’m definitely conscious that I need to commit soon.
Once I choose a direction, I plan to go all in and not look back.
If you’ve transitioned careers, work in any of these fields, or simply have some wisdom to share, I would truly appreciate your input.
Cybersecurity seems a good option for you. From my daily experience there’s constant freelance work available. There’s plenty to do: Identity theft, over data breaches or vulnerable IoT (Internet of Things) - the number of attack surfaces is increasing.
It’s also a more creative field than some think, because your opponents are smart and will constantly come up with new ways to breach into systems, steal and blackmail. They are already using AI as a lever and it will only get more challenging.
For a start try https://www.hackthebox.com/ and https://tryhackme.com/, also look for John Hammond on YouTube (not the actor) to see if this is really for you - before going into how to enter the field.
You mentioned that you are already freelancing? Is this through a platform like Upwork, where you have an established account with good reviews? This wouldn’t make you the “new guy” and give you a head start.
I’m referring to freelancing, if you are trying to get employed, the requirements are just as absurd as with developers, if not worse (5 years experience for junior jobs etc.). Your chances increase if you are having operations experience like system administration.
Best freelance gigs for the start are simple security auditions, hardening of Wordpress, servers (including email) or databases, compliance-checks. These are the jobs you should practice and train for.
I understand. Nowhere is easy at the moment. I am alone and outmatched in multiple ways. Do or die thing here. My only concern is will AI outmatch me by the time Im ready for real world projects?
The MBA running the company will. But that is not my issue since I’m not looking for a 9-5. My goal is freelance contracting. The same way I offer cost effective service undercutting the skilled and expensive local workforce, will AI not do the same to me?
Sure, the MBA running a company may choose to destroy their company. But that does not mean than an LLM can actually do the work of a software engineer.
Freelancing is actually harder to do and make ends meet, and people looking for cheap freelance work are often more willing to accept AI generated trash than a company that relies on actually correctly functioning and maintainable code.
You’re an experienced person, and I’m looking for advice. You have said AI will not replace a properly trained developer.
Yes I agree freelancing is very hard. Should I, therefore, go all in at either web development or cybersec without wondering if AI will replace me?
hello, sorry for the late response. the pic is showing status quo. Im thinking 5 yrs in the future. I understand that we will need an interface between AI and final product and time will come where that interface will no longer be needed, and we will all be out of a job.
the best advice I got was to be the person that AI cant replace. Which is a tall order but its the only order available.
we are talking masters or phd level knowledge with years of experience. And AI is for what its worth a hype train. No one know where it leads. Still for someone young and having the right backgorund its a solid bet. I have neither.
