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Steps to Becoming a Web Developer
A web developer is one of several IT careers that can be self-taught starting at a young age from the comfort of your home. While this self-education is a good start, most employers require that you complete at least some formal education to ensure that you possess universal skills that all properly trained web developers possess across the globe. It is these skills that are required for web developer sites and projects to be successful, particularly if several people are working on a project at the same time.
It is also important to note that most employers will not hire web developers without verifiable proof of their previous experience. It is a good idea to start working as a freelance web developer as soon as possible. Once you complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in web development, you will be required to gain more reputable work experience to advance your career. You will also be expected to pursue continued education throughout your web developer career to remain current on the latest technology trends and web development tools.
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Step 1: Choose a Specialization
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Step 2: Complete a Degree
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Step 3: Work Experience
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Step 4: Continued Education and Career Advancement
Step 1: Choose a Specialization
Before you can begin to pursue a degree as a web developer, you must consider which type of web developer you would like to become. This will influence the type of degree and the languages and tools you will be required to learn. You can choose to become a front-end developer, back-end developer, or a full-stack developer. Each developer type will dictate the areas on which you will work on projects and websites. More and more people are choosing to become a full-stack developer as it typically makes them more employable. Full-stack developers are able to complete both front-end and back-end work.
The full-stack skill set makes someone far more valuable and indispensable to employers. By having an understanding of both functionalities, it will also make you more valuable to team projects and help you work better with others. This is also a highly desirable trait for potential employers, as you can essentially create a complete a website yourself without the outside assistance of others by learning front-end and back-end skills.
Step 2: Complete a Degree
Degrees are often considered a formality in web development. A large number of people are self-taught in these skills before they graduate high school. However, most employers prefer their web developers to have completed at least some formal higher learning in the computer science field. Many entry-level jobs will only require an associate’s degree. If you can demonstrate your exceptional web development skills, an employer may be satisfied with a certificate. While this is certainly the fastest way to enter into the field, many of the top-paying jobs and most reputable companies expect their entry-level applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.
Keep in mind that today, more and more web development employers are placing greater emphasis on work experience over degrees. On the other hand, without formal education, you may not learn the details and jargon used in real-world situations. In the classroom, you will fine tune your skills with courses in areas such as website graphics, e-commerce, web-page multimedia, database management, website usability, social media and collaboration, optimizing websites, and advanced web design.
And if you really want to jump start your web developer career early on, start by taking classes at your high school. If they do not offer these classes, ask if your school has a partnership with a local college or university to take college courses for free as a high school student.
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Step 3: Work Experience
You can begin work experience the day you learn the skills required to develop websites. Many small businesses are looking for web developers who can deliver remarkable websites at an affordable price. This is a great way to start your career in high school or while you complete a degree program. The amount of web development experience you require to become employed will depend entirely on the employer.
It is highly likely that if you wish to work for the biggest and best brands, you will have to work for other companies and possess at least a bachelor’s degree. The best jobs demand the most well-rounded people. If you do work for a company as a full-time employee, do not accept any freelance work until you determine whether or not this is a firable offense by your employer. Some employers do not permit their employees to freelance while working for them. You should also consider pursuing an internship during your degree program to gain valuable work experience before you graduate.
Step 4: Continued Education and Professional Development
A web developer will not remain employed for long without continued education and professional development. Technology changes daily and you will be required to keep up with the latest trends. One way to verify your web developer skills is to complete various professional certifications. These will often be offered by major tech companies, such as Microsoft and Oracle. Any additional professional credential will also increase your prospective pay and make you more valuable to your employer.
If you wish to advance within a company or within your web developer career, you should complete another degree. If you only have an associate’s degree, complete a bachelor’s degree. If you already completed a bachelor’s degree, pursue a master’s degree. You can take courses online from accredited colleges and universities, and it is likely your employer will reimburse at least some of your continued educational expenses.
Career and Salary
Where Might You Work?
Nearly all companies require a web developer in some way. You might work independently as a freelance web developer or a consultant. This will allow you a flexible work schedule and the ability to select the type of clients with whom you work and the type of websites you develop. It is possible to work for small or large businesses. Many employers will allow web developers to work remotely today, so you can have a better work-life balance and a better quality of life.
Some people will choose to work for a web developer company. These companies employ dozens or hundreds of web developers. It is even possible to work for the government, politicians, restaurants, and much more. If you do work in an office setting, consider the best environment for you to work efficiently and effectively, such as whether or not you can work in a cubicle, open plan, or an office.