The Back End Developer career path can take many detours. Some work better than others, but the most direct path includes computer programming languages, server-side architecture, and database management.

However, this does not mean other paths are not just as valid or workable. People with industry-specific knowledge and a solid technical aptitude can transfer their skills from diverse careers, including web design, data science, or digital marketing. Read on to learn more about the possible paths to a successful back end development career.

Getting Started

Back End Developers rarely take a straight path into their roles. While a small percentage may begin with the goal of concentrating solely on back end development, others come to the position with diverse experiences. These include everything from computer programming positions to user experience (UX) or user interface (UI) design, app development, or project management.

Learning about the role of a Back End Developer is almost as important as mastering the required tools and skills. Development novices can read articles and watch videos about server-side applications, enroll in free classes, or attend info sessions at libraries or colleges. They can even interview Back End Developers already working in the field.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Back End Developer?

New development students wonder whether they need a degree to become Back End Developers. It’s understandable—many computer science professionals hold one or more degrees from colleges or universities. Some entry-level job postings list a degree requirement or even years of experience.

However, the lack of a degree should not dissuade someone from considering a new career as a Back End Developer. Depending on the company, the industry, and even the specific role, an entry-level or junior development role does not necessarily require a degree. In other cases, an industry-specific degree or demonstrated ability to do the job can suffice.

Many students new to back end development qualify for their first positions by gaining a certificate of completion from a comprehensive bootcamp or certificate program from a respected course provider. These in-depth courses typically comprise a series of training modules covering programming languages like JavaScript or Python, code editors like Visual Studio Code, or databases like MongoDB.

If you think a career in back end development will be your goal, compare and contrast a few such certificate programs. You might qualify for a new position within a few months or even weeks and get the job you want—and your company might even reimburse your tuition if you decide to go back to school.

Full-Stack Web Development Certificate: Live & Hands-on, In NYC or Online, 0% Financing, 1-on-1 Mentoring, Free Retake, Job Prep. Named a Top Bootcamp by Forbes, Fortune, & Time Out. Noble Desktop. Learn More.

Internships

Putting new skills to the test with hands-on experience (paid or volunteer) is a great way to prepare for the job market. Interning can help future Back End Developers gain valuable knowledge, compose portfolio projects, and build a network of experienced professionals.

Although most interns are college students or recent graduates, not all are. Public or private organizations can attract interns with paid positions or unpaid internships. These can last for predetermined periods, but some companies and agencies want interns to become employees. Internships can vary from onsite to remote, full-time to part-time, and summer to winter.

You can review postings in your area if you think an internship might be a good fit. Many organizations advertise paid or unpaid internships on popular job sites. While not all provide salary information, some do. They also typically note whether they are seasonal or ongoing.

Entry-Level Back End Developer Jobs

Search job boards for entry-level Back End Developer jobs, and you might be disappointed. Few companies list the role in that precise manner. Even a platform like LinkedIn—which allows precision search by everything from internship through executive level—may return senior or mid-level listings when targeting entry-level roles.

However, a careful review of general postings reveals an enigma: some roles listed for Back End Developers are contract or remote positions. These may include entry-level opportunities. Finding positions to apply for requires combing through many listings.

Though titles vary, consider running multiple searches, including titles like:

  • Back End Developer
  • Entry-Level Back End Developer
  • Junior Back End Developer
  • Junior Back End Web Developer

Responsibilities for entry-level Back End Developers vary by company, industry, and individual position. Some positions are essentially trainee roles, whereas other entry-level roles list multiple requirements.

Mid-Level Back End Developer Jobs

Mid-level Back End Developer roles usually require multiple years of experience. While there is no hard and fast rule, consider three to five years a typical requirement for a mid-level development position.

These positions rarely specify mid-level. If anything, a mid-level Back End Developer’s title is most likely the simple designation, Back End Developer.

As in entry-level jobs, mid-level Back End Developer responsibilities vary by industry, organization, and the specific position. One common denominator is that mid-level Back End Developers must possess working knowledge of all the tools and skills required for development positions in that organization. These include computer programming languages, version control systems, and server-side applications. For one company, it might be Python, while for another, it might be Drupal. Soft skills might include teamwork, leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.

Senior Back End Developer Jobs

Senior Back End Developers are in high demand. However, finding the perfect senior-level role can be even more challenging than finding an entry-level position.

One reason is that job titles for senior development roles vary more than entry- or mid-level roles. By the time someone reaches senior level, they have command of multiple languages, platforms, libraries, and frameworks. Many senior Back End Developers manage teams, adding to the variability of titles.

Another aspect of the title search for senior development roles is that different organizations require different areas of specialization. For example, one company might require a Java Developer, while another requires a Drupal Developer. Consider the following a partial list of possible senior-level titles:

  • Senior Back End Developer
  • Senior Back End Java Developer
  • Senior Back End Engineer
  • Senior Database Developer / Back End Developer
  • Senior Developer
  • Senior Full Stack Engineer

A Senior Back End Developer’s responsibilities range from designing systems and APIs to mentoring engineers and expanding from back end to full stack. As in other roles, many companies conflate developers with engineers, so qualifications and experience vary.

Another Path: Freelancing

Freelancing is one alternate path that some new development pros consider. While the possibility of working remotely on a schedule they choose appeals to some people, others balk at the prospect of unpredictable pay or the additional burdens of running a business.

Part-time freelancing is another option since it allows people to launch a side business to see if freelancing will work for them. Check out the How to Become a Freelance Back End Developer article for more information.

How Do I Find A Back End Developer Job?

If you plan to search for a Back End Developer position, odds are you will not find too many job listings that only specify back end development skills. A keyword search on sites like Indeed or LinkedIn will more likely return results like:

You might be dismayed that so few listings mention back end development in the title. However, this does not mean that none of them require back end skills. On the contrary, a Full Stack development position always demands front and back end expertise, and many junior web development roles are simply Back End Developer positions with alternate titles.

It may require some extra digging on your part to find appropriate listings. Remember that the responsibilities and qualifications sections matter more than the title for back end development roles.

Learn the Skills to Become a Back End Developer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides multiple bootcamps and certificate programs for students to learn back end development tools and skills in person or live online via teleconferencing. Subjects include JavaScript, Node.js, Python, and React, to name a few. Consider the following courses:

  • JavaScript Development Certificate - The immersive JavaScript Development Certificate program is appropriate for those looking to become Front End, Full Stack, or JavaScript Developers. This 14-week program covers everything from the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) to developing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Applicants should be comfortable coding HTML and CSS before enrolling. 
  • Python Developer Certificate - Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate combines its popular 30-hour Python Programming Bootcamp with a 60-hour unit on Python web development with Django REST in this comprehensive program. You'll learn about automation, GitHub, SQL, and URL dispatchers as you gain proficiency in designing complex web apps. As with the JavaScript Development Certificate, applicants should be comfortable coding HTML and CSS before enrolling.
  • Python Web Development with Django - The 60-hour Python Web Development with Django provides a highly-reviewed standalone course for students familiar with HTML/CSS. This curriculum introduces object-oriented programming with Python, working with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and back end development with the Django REST framework. You can save by taking the course as part of the Python Developer Certificate program.