Web development is an incredibly popular career choice, and a lucrative option too—web developers earn more than $60,000 annually, with many approaching or exceeding $100,000. So, it makes sense to investigate this technology career path, especially if you’re looking to grow your income, prospects, and job satisfaction. The tech industry is one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States, and there’s never been a better time to break in and get in on the action. But how exactly do you become a web developer? It’s actually a pretty simple process, and it doesn’t even require a college degree in many cases. In this article, we’ll go over what a web development career path looks like and show you the fastest way to become a web developer in 2019.
Web Development Explained
Web development is a blanket term for a variety of sub-careers. The main types of web development are full stack, front end, and backend development, with branch-offs such as UX and UI design. The most lucrative web development career path is full stack because these programmers do the work of both front and backend developers. In a nutshell, full stack developers write code for the visual, interactive, and server-side operations of a website. If you prefer to specialize, here are a few subcategories of web development that you can choose to study for:
- Front End Web Development
Front end, or client-side developers, design and build the part of a website that users interact with. Front end career paths include UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) design, and it’s an excellent choice for creative or visual thinkers.
- Backend Web Development
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Backend, or server-side developers, design and maintain systems that communicate between the front end of the website and the servers on which it runs. This job is essential, as a website’s backend allows it to transfer data between the web and your computer. The critical work of a backend developer is perfect for detail-oriented individuals.
As you can see, there are plenty of career options for web developers. Many different people with varying personalities find their niche within the industry and flourish in this position. Once you decide what you want to do, it’s time to find an education program that will help you qualify for an entry-level position.
Web Development Education Options
There are a few education options for aspiring web developers. The first (and least expensive) option is to teach yourself how to code using books, free programs, and the internet. Many people try this out, but not a whole lot of them get very far—coding is challenging, and free resources often don’t offer the same individualized help you need.
Instead of teaching yourself, you can enroll in an education program. College is a popular option, and many web developers come from design or computer science degree programs. Unfortunately, college is shockingly expensive—the student loan crisis shows no sign of easing—and most people don’t have four years to devote to a full-time college course.
But there’s a shorter, cheaper, and more direct option into a web development career. Coding bootcamps, which last between six weeks and a year, cost a fraction of a college degree and cover all the necessary coding languages to help you land a job. Coding bootcamp is simply a new form of career and technical education, and the tech industry widely accepts the validity of these courses. For many people, coding bootcamp offers precisely the training they need to switch careers or start their dream job. Whatever option works best for you, it’s never too late to take the leap and learn new skills.
Web development is a complicated subject, but many people break into this industry from entirely unrelated backgrounds. If you’re ready to change your career prospects for good, click the link below and find out how we can help.
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