Can you provide me with advice considering my situation?

Due to family circumstances, I am required to move out of the capital to a less developed area. This raises concerns about job opportunities, salary, and other factors. For context, I am 30 years old with an engineering degree in electric drive and automation industry installations, and have worked various roles for large foreign companies, including small management positions.

My main expertise lies in industrial and civil automation, programmable relays, and frequency converters. I also have experience in discrete automation, vector-controlled electric drives systems, and programming for electricity distribution and metering systems.

Unfortunately, there is limited demand for my area of expertise in the region to which I am moving, making it difficult to find a job with reasonable pay ($250-350 equivalent in USD). As a result, I am exploring freelance work and considering retraining for web development. I have some experience with layout, CSS frameworks, PHP, ActionScript (2.0) and CMS, including writing small plugins and doing localization.

I'm seeking advice on the following:
1. Where should I begin?
2. What technologies/techniques are currently in high demand or expected to be in the near future, and are convenient for remote work?
3. I am interested in Node.js- what is your opinion on its efficiency, wide distribution, and entry threshold for beginners?
4. Since I have no experience in freelancing, where should I start and at what level of proficiency in a particular technology?

Any additional advice or suggestions are appreciated as I am currently undergoing significant changes in my career.

Thank you for your help!

There are currently two technological approaches dominating the world of web development: LAMP (and similar) and Java. LAMP involves developing in PHP, Ruby, or Python, using convenient frameworks that are well-developed in their own right. PHP is the most prevalent language among developers and customers, with many believing that PHP coders are cheap and abundant. However, salaries can vary widely depending on a company's technology orientation. LAMP is typically used for small to medium-sized orders, mainly for creating websites. Freelancers may find it challenging to get large projects in this field, though the occasional offer can arise.

Java, on the other hand, is regarded as the most lucrative area in web programming and is still being widely used by enterprises worldwide. However, there is no concrete information about its usage in freelancing. Nonetheless, there should be enough demand from both customers and developers. Java offers a developed platform and a vast range of libraries, frameworks, and other helpful tools free of charge. While this option may have real-time libraries and hardware development benefits, it has a high entry threshold. Mastery of Java's mat part (especially in web development) requires significant time investment.

Perhaps we could consider a shift-based job, akin to those of oil workers or sailors. While your previous work experience offered good positions in terms of PO, these skills may not be applicable in a new workplace where such specialists are not in demand and the PO is low. Repurposing your skills will only result in junior level PO positions, which may be perceived negatively in our location. This brings up the question of whether it's worth the psychological challenge. Ultimately, the decision should be made after carefully weighing the pros and cons.

It's important to consider the current job market and determine if there are any opportunities for growth and development. If not, it may be worth pursuing alternative career paths that align with your interests and skillset to achieve long-term success and fulfillment. Additionally, seeking guidance from career counselors or networking with industry professionals can provide valuable insights and resources for navigating the job market.

Switching from serious products to Jumbles and other crooked code can be challenging as everything works on crutches there. Without good knowledge and skills, it's difficult to compete with those who have them or are willing to work for food.

However, Node.js has some advantages such as a pleasant language at its core, but it also has disadvantages like the absence of some essential libraries.

If you're interested in programming gaming products, server modules for browser games could be a good start. Node.js could come in handy, although C and ++/Java may be better suited. Another option could be developing applications for iPhone/Android, where there's a shortage of good specialists but high demand.

I can provide you with advice tailored to your situation.

1. To begin transitioning into freelance web development, start by assessing your current skills and knowledge in web development. Given your experience with CSS frameworks, PHP, and CMS, you already have a good foundation. Identify areas that need further improvement and set specific learning goals.

2. In terms of high-demand technologies, full-stack development is currently sought after, as it allows developers to work on both the front-end and back-end of websites. Additionally, proficiency in JavaScript frameworks such as React and Vue.js is valuable for remote work due to their widespread use in modern web development. These technologies offer numerous opportunities for freelance projects and remote work due to their popularity and versatility.

3. Node.js is a powerful platform for building server-side applications and has gained widespread adoption due to its efficiency and scalability. Its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model makes it suitable for building real-time applications, which aligns with the current trend of interactive and dynamic web experiences. The entry threshold for beginners is relatively low, especially if you already have a strong foundation in JavaScript. There are plenty of online resources, tutorials, and communities dedicated to Node.js, making it accessible for self-learning and skill building.

4. To start freelancing, consider building a portfolio of your work. Develop a few small projects or contribute to open-source initiatives to showcase your skills. As you gain proficiency in a particular technology, start by taking on smaller freelance projects to build your reputation and gradually increase the complexity and scope of your work. Platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr can be great places to find freelance opportunities and establish yourself in the freelance web development market.

Consider networking with other freelancers and professionals in the web development community to gain insights and opportunities. Continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends will be crucial as you navigate this career transition. Embracing the freelance lifestyle may require adaptability and perseverance, but with your solid engineering background and willingness to learn new technologies, you have a strong foundation to successfully pivot into web development.