From React Dev to Cloud Consultant

A New Chapter

After 13 years as a contract React developer, I'm making a pivot. Here's why.

Earlier this year, I got unexpectedly let go from a contract with Kanexa—just 5 weeks into a 6-month engagement. It was a first in my contracting career, and with the tech market struggling, the timing couldn't have been worse.

I eventually landed a role with Transport for Greater Manchester. Great team, promising long-term prospects, challenging work. The catch? A significant pay cut. But as they say, beggars can't be choosers.

This experience got me thinking about control. The market's been tough for years, and waiting for the next contract to materialize feels increasingly precarious. I explored everything from crypto investing to book flipping, even considered permanent roles at big tech companies (hello, LeetCode grind).

Then I discovered Soleyman Shahir's content about cloud consulting. It clicked. While React development is my bread and butter (I'm currently building a serverless AWS app), cloud consulting feels like where the market is headed.

Think about it: Organizations might hesitate to pay £20K for React optimization advice, but that same budget for AWS, Azure, or GCP migration consulting? That's an easier sell.

I might be wrong. But after months of overthinking and endless Google searches, I'm taking action. This newsletter will document my journey from React developer to boutique cloud consultant—and hopefully help others considering a similar path.

More next week.

John