Ask HN: What is the best way to spend my time as a 17-year-old who can code?

The challenge is that (at least in the U.S), you can't consent to contracts until you're 18. This is legally problematic for most organizations; corporations rely on contracts for things like confidentially agreements, intellectual property, payment of wages, etc, and having someone who hasn't signed these contracts working on this can muck things up. You might be able to find small organizations that just don't care, or large organizations that can silo you off and have you work on some throwaway projects, though. When I was your age it was the thick of the dot-com boom and there were a bunch of small local businesses or community newspapers that needed websites done. It's a different time now, but that same customer base might be similarly willing to have a teenager do some work for them.

When I was younger, I used to think: "Wow, I want to create the next Facebook." I was envious. Thinking like that set me back and I was just trying to create a "mimic" of Facebook. "Everyone is going to use my product because it will be so much better." False.

It's not that you can't build something better, but don't try to be the next Facebook or the next Google or the next Twitter or the next... anything. They are huge and established. To try and "break the public" out of using these is almost impossible.

Create something different. Start on small projects so you can learn. Just start creating small useful apps that you and your friends and family can use. Practice and get good at what you do.

Just a few examples of some projects that I've worked on in the past that are now live and in the wild... https://mypost.io and https://scamshare.com

I've got at least a half dozen more projects in the works. It seems with each product I release, I'm learning and it is often well received. Unpredictably, MyPost.io became very popular in Russia. ScamShare received 21,000 visitors in about 2 weeks. I mean.. nothing to brag about, but its just getting used to some exposure and seeing what things I can create that people can use and enjoy.

My next few apps that are being released will be subscription-based.

Anyways, get comfortable with creating stuff and learning about what people like. Learn how to develop your own personality and style of your UI.

Eventually, there are two ways you can go:

1) Work for someone. 2) Work for yourself and your clients.

I'd suggest after you graduate, go work for someone for a few years. Learn how business work. See that world for a while. Then if you get tired of it, start thinking about going into business for yourself.

Then do it better.

It's both a good way to learn and accidentally stumble upon a business model.

2.) If you do own project, do something small. It is enough to learn technology and ability to come up with vision is different skill then coding. Technical demos or community challenges are fine for portfolio.

2.) The best way to find first job is through people you know. Yes, it is unfair, yes it requires social skills, but it is what it is. Go to meetups in your area even if they are about technology you don't care about. Talk with people and mostly listen to what they say. Something may get out of it.

You can reg a domain name and have your own project or idea/app/affiliate/Adsense site up and running for next to nothing, except your own time.

Similarly, you can build a small Windows or Mac app, a little $10 utility or tool.

I don’t think an OS related portfolio is needed at all, actually.

I personally would start in that way, as you are in full control then in what you do. It could be something sustainable you build, make money with and looks good in your portfolio while doing so!