How to Become a Web Developer? A step-by-step guide for professional development
Looking at all the benefits and high earning potential, most of us have at least considered working in the IT sector at some point. According to Market Data Forecast, the tech industry is continuously growing and is estimated to reach $295 billion by 2025. There are about 17,900 new job openings for web developers and digital designers each year, and the employment rate is projected to grow even more by 2030.?
Additionally, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been minimal for the IT sector compared with other industries. Most developers work remotely, so they tend to be less affected by sudden workplace changes and are more flexible with job opportunities.?
Web development is currently one of the safest (and most profitable) career choices. And the best part? You can learn it on your own!?
What does a web developer do?
The role of a web developer is to create and maintain websites, all the way from the visual aspects to performance and functionality. Depending on their specialization, they can be either Front-end or Back-end.?
Front-end developers are responsible for programming a user interface, which is the part of a website that users see and interact with. On the other hand, back-end developers deal with server-side development, creating the “invisible” structure of a software application. There is also an option to combine both roles and become a Full-stack developer. This means you’d need a bigger variety of programming skills, but could also take on additional responsibility on a project and get access to more job opportunities.?
What skills do I need as a web developer?
Passion for tech is necessary to succeed in the world of development, but it will only get you that far. A good web developer needs to have both soft skills and technical knowledge.?
Web developers are generally analytical, creative thinkers, and good problem solvers. They tend to be patient and think outside the box, viewing problems from different angles to find the right solution. Since developers mostly work in teams, having good communication skills can also be quite beneficial.?
As far as technical knowledge goes, programming skills are a must. According to Stack Overflow, the most popular programming language for web development in 2021 was JavaScript, followed by HTML/CSS and Python. You also need to know your way around databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB.?
If you aren’t ready to write code from scratch, there are many open-source frameworks to choose from for both front-end and back-end development. Here is a list of programming languages and their beginner-friendly frameworks you can start with:
Where can I learn web development?
Nowadays, learning to code is easier than ever. There are plenty of free resources, developer communities, and programming courses available online. Having a formal education is more optional than necessary to get a job as a developer, although it helps to have some sort of certification and project experience. Luckily, some learning platforms offer a free certification after course completion, such as:?
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Learning web development can be challenging, so it’s important to have a support system. Developer communities provide an open space for sharing knowledge and experience, making it easier to gain helpful insight into the tech industry. They’re also a great place to seek mentorship and constructive feedback for your work. The two largest developer communities are GitHub and StackOverflow, but you can find smaller ones on Reddit that tackle specific niches.?
How do I build my portfolio?
After choosing your specialty and having a good foundation in at least one programming language, it’s time to gather some practical experience. Start by completing small projects, let’s say for school, friends, or family. You can practice by making a few simple test-websites, then gradually move on to smaller tasks on Fiverr or Upwork.?
Once you have a couple of projects to show, you’ll need to create a portfolio. As a developer, a portfolio is your own unique selling point - it shows off your specific skills, experience, and what you can do for your potential employer. It’s what makes you stand out from the rest, so pick the projects that demonstrate your work best.?
A complete portfolio should have 5 basic components:
Additionally, you can include your list of services, a website link, social media handles, articles…anything that might be relevant for your next potential client.
Web developers at Digihey
At Digihey, we don’t care if you have a college degree or not. Our developers come from all sorts of different backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common - determination.? Regardless of their formal education level, each one of them continuously strives to learn and improve. We’re not looking for certificates or “Coding Ninjas”, we’re looking for passion and potential.?
Developers at Digihey are all about creativity, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial mindset. They are able to tackle challenges head-on and solve problems independently but are also willing to help and collaborate with their colleagues. Maintaining a positive, stimulating work environment is one of our top priorities, so we hire based on our Digihey values:
If you want to join our Digihey team and create software solutions with a significant impact on the global market, check out our open positions and send us a message at [email protected] - we’re always looking for new tech enthusiasts!
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Written by: Helena Grahovac