In a Dev.to post published May 28, 2026, developer itsugo recounts the realization that coding is only a small part of the work as a freelance developer. Two years after landing their first client in their final college semester, they describe the bulk of the job as communication, project management, and business operations rather than writing code. The post has resonated with other developers in the comments, many sharing similar experiences.
itsugo posted on dev.to about how they thought coding was the job, but two years in they've learned it's mostly meetings, emails, and scope creep. the comments are full of 'same bro' energy.
This post captures a common disillusionment among new developers entering the freelance or contracting world, where technical skill is only one part of the equation. It highlights a broader pattern in the creator economy and tech industry: the gap between education and real-world work. As more developers turn to freelancing, stories like this serve as a reality check for those expecting pure coding work.
another reminder that 'learn to code' doesn't teach you how to run a business. as more devs go freelance, this gap between expectation and reality keeps showing up. the comments prove it's not just one person's problem.
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