Every facet of our daily life is becoming digitalized and as a result of that, coders are in demand constantly. Coding has become very lucrative and it’s only normal that a lot of students pursue computer science degrees and that some people even make a drastic career shift.
We all know that there are lots of computer careers out there but today we are focusing on full-stack web developers. This job requires a versatile skill set in both back-end and front-end aspects of web development – that’s why full-stack developers are called the jacks of all trades. Full-stack developers are responsible for the client-side of a web page – the front end; and in addition to that, the applications found on the page itself – the back end.
Full-stack developers’ numbers rise every day and we expect to see 27,3 million experts working in this field by 2023, but that doesn’t mean the demand for this skillset will stop. If you are looking to enter the coding world and realize your web-creating dreams, read below for some tips on how to become a successful full-stack developer.
Where to start?
First things first, strong foundations are key if you are looking to hit that home run and become a successful full-stack developer. A strong grasp of HTML and CSS is required before you move on to JavaScript, and eventually backend technologies such as Java, Python or NodeJS. After you master these languages, you can easily branch out and learn different frameworks and libraries which will bolster your coding knowledge even further.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed due to the amount of knowledge you have to accumulate but, becoming a full-stack developer opens a lot of career doors. As an expert full-stack developer you are extremely desirable on the market as you can fulfill back end, front end, and full-stack duties.
The path to becoming a dev wizard
Now that you know what skills and languages you require to become the ultimate developer, the question of how to learn them arises. Of course, you can take the traditional route and obtain a degree in computer science or take a turn and walk the self-taught path. That’s right, you don’t need any formal education whatsoever to become a great dev.
If your schedule doesn’t allow for a computer science degree, you can always study and expand your preexisting knowledge online with full stack developer courses that cover JavaScript, open-source databases, and NodeJS. NodeJS is the backend version of JavaScript and it’s one of the best starting points aspiring developers can take.
Start collecting experience
The basics have been mastered, you’ve equipped yourself with JavaScript knowledge and now it’s time to deploy your coding knowledge. Generally, we recommend for beginners to start with a strong focus on the visual aspect of the web page development process, the front end. Seeing your code become real and watching it unfold before your eyes can be very motivating at the start. As soon as you become acquainted with the front-end aspect, move to the back end and gather as much experience in both fields.
Start building your portfolio
With experience in your bag, it’s time to start the job hunt. However, looking for a job without a portfolio is a daunting task. Set your finished projects and in-development projects on display so that everyone can see your talent and coding capabilities. You can consider posting your codes to public repositories like GITHUB as well.
Your portfolio is the first impression potential employers/clients see and as a full-stack developer, your talent of visual and technical abilities should speak instead of words.
The Interview
A coder first of all is a problem solver and employers will test your problem-solving skills instantly. Behavioral questions will also be a part of the interview as they will want to make sure you are the right fit for the team.
You can also display your coding knowledge with a live-coding exercise where you walk the potential employer through your problem-solving process.
Final Thoughts
Full-stack developers are the jack of all trades in this industry and the knowledge they possess is enormous. If you want to succeed as a full-stack developer, make sure to brush up on the basics and never stop expanding your coding language expertise. Choose the right path of education and equip yourself with skills that any employer would recognize as crucial, ultimately considering you as the perfect fit for the job.
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