<div>For William Nordgren, curiosity started early. He began coding at fifteen, experimenting with html and css before most of his classmates knew what a website was. What began as a hobby soon grew into something bigger that would shape both his career and the way he wanted to live it.</div><h1>From hobby to profession</h1><div><em>“I’ve basically been doing this since I was a teenager,” William laughs. “I started out building small web projects, and it just took off from there.”<br><br></em>After finishing school, William served in the Finnish Defence Forces, where his technical skills didn’t go unnoticed. He was assigned to specialized roles, developing internal applications, and managing simulator scenarios. It was a rare chance to turn his coding skills into something that directly supported real-world operations.<br><br>When his service ended, continuing in tech felt natural. He enrolled in Lapland University of Applied Sciences to study Information and Communication Technology, completing a four-year degree in less than two years.<br><br><em>“I had already been coding for years,” he says. “So, when I got to my first programming course, the teacher was impressed and offered me a part-time job right there at the school’s lab. That was my first official job in tech.”<br><br></em>From there, his professional path gained speed. William worked as a software developer in</div><div>and later moved into roles that combined coding with UI and UX design. Over time, he started taking on more responsibility, leading small teams and mentoring younger developers.</div><h1>A natural move toward freelancing</h1><div>While building his career, William kept his own small company running in the background, doing IT consulting on the side. It gave him a taste of independence and eventually a glimpse of what freelancing could offer full-time. This year, he made it official. He joined Finitec’s freelance community and started his first project through them.<br><br><em>“It’s only been a little over a month, but I can already say it feels right,” he says. “The best part is the freedom to choose who you work with. If you start to feel stuck in a big corporate setting, you can always look for something new, maybe something more dynamic like a startup environment.”</em></div><h1>Building intelligent tools</h1><div>William’s current assignment is an AI-driven project for a telecom client. He works on developing a chat-based application and connecting it with backend processes, a role that allows him to combine full-stack development with problem-solving and creativity.<br><br><em>“The project has a lot of potential to make things more efficient for the client,” he says.<br>“You can really see how what we’re building will make their everyday work smoother.”<br><br></em>Although it’s his first assignment with Finitec, William says the experience has been seamless. The project started quickly after just one interview, and he appreciates how Finitec keeps things agile.<br><br><em>“Everything moved fast. It was just one interview, and two days later I already knew I could start. That’s not how it usually goes in traditional recruitment.”</em></div><h1>Learning every day</h1><div>Even though he’s only 26, William’s career already reflects a deep sense of self-direction. He’s always learning—not through formal courses, but as a daily part of his work.<br><br><em>“In our field, technology changes so fast that you have to stay alert,” he says. “You need to be self-driven and ready to learn new tools all the time. Even the most experienced developers I know still use Google and AI tools every day. It’s just part of the job.”<br><br></em>That mindset has served him well. For William, curiosity isn’t a task on a to-do list. It’s how he works.</div><h1>Finding balance and boundaries</h1><div>As someone who works from home, William is also learning the importance of balance.<br><br><em>“When you’re a freelancer, you have to take care of yourself,” he says. “It’s easy to just keep working, but that’s not sustainable.”<br><br></em>His secret to switching off? Structure and support.<br><em>“My partner also works remotely, so when the clock hits four, we both stop. It’s a good reminder that work is work and free time is free time.”</em></div><h1>On confidence and community</h1><div>Some imagine freelancing as a lonely career path, but William disagrees.<br><br><em>“I actually work with a team every day,” he explains. “There’s a lot of collaboration, and people are friendly and easy to work with. It doesn’t feel lonely at all.”<br><br></em>He also appreciates that Finitec organizes community events for freelancers, such as gatherings, discussions, and Christmas parties.<br><br><em>“They understand that freelancing can sometimes feel isolating for some people, so it’s great that there are opportunities to meet others and have fun together.”</em></div><h1>Advice for future freelancers</h1><div>For those thinking about making the leap, William’s advice is pragmatic.<br><br><em>“Before you quit your full-time job, make sure you have your first project lined up,” he says. “That gives you peace of mind and helps you start strong.”<br><br></em>He also reminds others to plan for quieter times.<br><em>“There might be breaks between projects, so it’s good to prepare financially. And of course, choose assignments where communication feels natural. Freelancing is very social work, and good collaboration is key.”<br><br></em>So far, William has no plans to go back to a permanent position.<br><em>“I can’t really see a reason to,” he says. “Right now, freelancing feels like the best way to grow, learn, and build the kind of career I’ve always wanted.”</em></div>

What began as a hobby soon grew into something bigger that would shape both his career and the way he wanted to live it.

From code to confidence: William Nordgren’s journey into freelancing

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