How To Become A Web Developer
The first step to any significant life change is deciding what you want. So if you decide you want to become a web developer, you’ve already taken that important first step.
Now, all you have to do is go after it.
In some ways, this is easier said than done. In others, it’s much easier than you might expect.
Keep reading to uncover the ins and outs of web development, and how best to step into your dream job.
Web Development, Explained
To become a web developer, you must first understand the intricacies of the web dev world.
Web developers have basically created the Internet as we know it. Everything we access online or regularly use on our smartphones is because of them.
Here are just a few examples from your everyday life:
- Social media applications
- Online shopping or banking
- The website you’re reading this on right now
The wide world of web development can seem daunting at first. Let’s break down the three main components of web development:
Part of becoming a web developer is determining where your interests and skills lie within the field as you plan your coding career path.
Are you committed to creating user-friendly experiences? Do you want to solve back-end problems by writing complex algorithms?
What You Need To Know To Become A Web Developer
Becoming a developer is about having the right knowledge, specific skill sets, and an impeccable work ethic. Degrees from big-name schools may seem important to some, but they’re certainly not the only way to become a web developer. When it comes to coding for beginners, the career path for a website developer is varied and can take many forms.
Learn How To Code
This is the single-most important skill required of a web developer.
Luckily, you can learn this all on your own. About one-third of developers are self-taught, with many more at least supplementing their education through online programs and resources.
The information is out there if you know what you’re looking for-- you can shape your learning path any way you want.
Most Important Languages for Web Development
The exact number of coding languages is nearly impossible to pinpoint–especially since the number keeps growing!—but most people would tell you there are at least several hundred. Each field, position, and task relies on different languages.
Web developers typically use three or four main languages. These may include (but certainly aren’t limited to):
Keep in mind that choosing the right languages to practice is as important as learning them.
Best Practices When Learning To Code
Learning to code is well within your reach, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. No matter how you’re receiving your education, you can deepen your understanding with these tips and tricks:
Other Development Skills
If web development were a meal, coding would be the main course.
But it wouldn’t be much of a dining experience without equally delicious sides and perhaps the right drink pairing.
Here are a few specialized skill sets that can enhance your desirability as a web developer:
But as with any career, there’s so much more involved than simply what you can do. There’s also the matter of how you do it. This is why soft skills are essential, too, including:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Effective problem-solving
- Big-picture thinking
- Clear communication
- Time management
Acquiring The Necessary Skills
Once you’ve determined what you need to learn, you can focus on how you’ll go about it.
Some people thrive in the formal educational setting of a university program. But if you’re considering going to school because you think you need the degree to get the job, you’ll be glad to know this isn’t the case.
Many distinguished web developers go straight from a boot camp or online program to a Junior Developer position.
Navigating The Job Search
Once you’ve done the hard work of learning to code and equipped yourself with the right skills, it’s time to land that web developer position.
Finding Work
If you’re a self-taught coder—which many people are—keep an eye out for in-office or remote tech job listings that use phrases like “Bachelor’s degree preferred” and “Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience).” As long as you can prove that your knowledge and experience makes you just as qualified as any formally-educated applicant, you should find success.
There are a couple of other ways to enter the workforce when you’re an aspiring web developer:
Standing Out As A Candidate
The job application process is all about how you position yourself.
No degree? Fill your resume with other relevant skills. Not a lot of formal work experience? Find valuable volunteer-based projects that add legitimacy to your application.
Focus on what you do have. Here are some examples of what you can do:
Take The First Step With Disney Codeillusion
You can take many first steps towards becoming a web developer, but it all begins with learning how to code. Whether you are looking for a coding program yourself, or your kid has expressed an interest in web development and computer coding for kids, Disney Codeillusion can make it simple, fun, and highly accessible:
Now that you know how to become a web developer, you can put the plan into action. Start your learning path today by signing up for Disney Codeillusion’s free trial here.
Sources:
SkillCrush. 12 Things You Must Do To Get A Junior Web Developer Job in 2019. https://skillcrush.com/blog/land-junior-web-developer-job/
Dice. Self-Taught Developers: An Increasing Problem? https://insights.dice.com/2019/08/15/self-taught-developers-jobs/
Medium. How Much Tech Internships Pay in 2018. https://medium.com/@teamblind/how-much-tech-internships-pay-in-2018-8abc464af1c
GeeksforGeeks. Frontend vs Backend. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/frontend-vs-backend/
Journal of Technology Education. Do Hands-On, Technology-Based Activities Enhance Learning by Reinforcing Cognitive Knowledge and Retention? https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/8413/jones.pdf?sequence=1
National Institutes of Health. Want to learn a new skill? Take some short breaks. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/want-learn-new-skill-take-some-short-breaks