CareerExplorer’s step-by-step guide on how to become a web developer.
Is becoming a web developer right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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High School
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a web developer, there are several courses you can take in high school to build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Here are some suggestions:
- Computer Science: A course in computer science will provide you with a fundamental understanding of programming concepts and languages. This will help you to write efficient, clean code for websites and web applications.
- Math: Mathematics is an essential part of programming, and a strong foundation in math will be helpful for web developers. Algebra, geometry, and trigonometry are particularly useful.
- Web Design: A course in web design will teach you the basics of user interface design, layout, and color theory. Understanding these concepts will help you to create visually appealing and functional websites.
- Business: A course in business will help you to understand the basics of marketing, entrepreneurship, and project management. These skills will be valuable if you plan to work as a freelance web developer or start your own business.
- Multimedia: A course in multimedia will introduce you to digital media production, including graphics, video, and audio. This will help you to create multimedia content for websites and web applications.
- English: Good communication skills are important for any career, and web development is no exception. A course in English or communications will help you to develop your writing and presentation skills.
It's important to note that while these courses can be helpful, they are not strictly necessary to become a web developer. Many web developers have learned on their own through online courses, tutorials, and practice. Ultimately, the most important thing is to be curious, persistent, and willing to learn.
Education
If you're interested in becoming a web developer, there are several educational paths you can pursue, including formal education programs. Here are a few options:
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related field: A four-year degree program in computer science can give you a solid foundation in programming, algorithms, data structures, and other fundamental concepts that are useful for web development. Some programs also offer specialized courses in web development.
- Associate Degree in Web Development or a related field: An associate degree program typically takes two years to complete and provides a more focused education in web development. You'll learn about web design, web programming, and other topics relevant to building websites and web applications.
- Bootcamps: Bootcamps are short-term, intensive programs that teach specific skills in a condensed period of time. There are many bootcamps available that focus on web development, and they can be a good option if you're looking for a quick way to get up to speed on the latest technologies and practices.
- Online courses and tutorials: There are also many online courses and tutorials available that cover various aspects of web development, from HTML and CSS to JavaScript and server-side programming. These can be a good option if you're looking for a more flexible, self-paced way to learn.
Bootcamps
It's important to do your research and choose a bootcamp that fits your needs and learning style. Look for programs that offer hands-on projects, experienced instructors, and job placement support. Be sure to read reviews and talk to alumni to get a sense of what the program is like before you commit. Here are some popular bootcamps for web development:
- General Assembly: General Assembly offers full-time and part-time bootcamps in web development, covering front-end and back-end development as well as user experience (UX) design. Their programs are available both online and in-person, and they have campuses in several cities around the world.
- Flatiron School: Flatiron School offers immersive bootcamps in web development and other tech fields, both online and in-person. Their web development program covers full-stack development with Ruby on Rails and JavaScript, and includes career coaching and job placement support.
- Le Wagon: Le Wagon is a global coding bootcamp with campuses in several countries, offering full-time and part-time courses in web development and other tech fields. Their web development program covers front-end and back-end development, including HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and Ruby on Rails.
- Udacity: Udacity offers online courses and nanodegrees in web development, including a full-stack web developer nanodegree that covers front-end and back-end development with JavaScript, React, and Node.js. They also offer a variety of other courses in web development and related fields.
- Thinkful: Thinkful offers online bootcamps in web development, including full-stack web development with Node.js and React, and front-end web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They also offer career coaching and job placement support to help graduates launch their careers in tech.
Online Courses and Tutorials
There are many online courses and tutorials available for web developers. Here are some options:
- Codecademy: Codecademy is a popular online platform that offers courses on various programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
- Udemy: Udemy is an online learning platform that offers courses on web development. There are many courses available, including beginner and advanced level courses.
- Coursera: Coursera offers online courses on web development from top universities and institutions.
- FreeCodeCamp: FreeCodeCamp is a nonprofit organization that offers free online courses on web development. They have courses on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
- W3Schools: W3Schools is a popular website that offers free tutorials on web development. They have tutorials on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
- Codepen: Codepen is a social development environment for front-end developers. It provides online playgrounds for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and also provides numerous examples to help you learn.
- Mozilla Developer Network: MDN is a comprehensive resource for web developers. They offer tutorials on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
- Google Developers: Google Developers offers free tutorials and courses on web development, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
Employment Opportunities
Web developers can find employment opportunities in various areas, including:
- Technology Companies: Many technology companies, such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon, have a high demand for web developers to create and maintain their websites and web applications.
- E-commerce Companies: E-commerce companies, such as Amazon, eBay, and Shopify, require web developers to design and develop their websites and online stores.
- Digital Marketing Agencies: Digital marketing agencies, such as HubSpot and Moz, require web developers to create and maintain their clients' websites, landing pages, and other web-related assets.
- Government Agencies: Government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, require web developers to create and maintain their websites and web applications.
- Non-profit Organizations: Non-profit organizations, such as the Red Cross and UNICEF, require web developers to create and maintain their websites and online donation portals.
- Education Institutions: Schools and universities require web developers to create and maintain their websites and learning management systems.
- Startups: Web developers can also find employment opportunities in startups, where they can work on cutting-edge technology and projects.
Certifications
There are many certifications available for web developers to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in different areas of web development. Here are some of the most popular certifications for web developers:
- Certified Web Developer (CWD): The CWD certification is offered by the International Webmasters Association (IWA) and covers a wide range of web development topics, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web design principles.
- Certified Full Stack Web Developer (CFWD): The CFWD certification is offered by the IWA and covers front-end and back-end web development, as well as database management and server administration.
- Certified Web Designer (CWD): The CWD certification is offered by Brainbench and covers web design principles, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): The MCSD certification is offered by Microsoft and covers web development using Microsoft technologies, such as ASP.NET and Microsoft SQL Server.
- Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 11 Developer: The Oracle Certified Professional certification is offered by Oracle and covers Java SE 11 development, including web development using Java.
- Google Mobile Web Specialist Certification: The Google Mobile Web Specialist certification covers mobile web development, including responsive design, performance optimization, and offline storage.
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate: The AWS Certified Developer certification is offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and covers web development using AWS services, such as Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, and Amazon RDS.