How to Become a Full Stack Developer

Introduce the reader to the topic of the article, perhaps by describing how knowing the steps to becoming a Full Stack Developer can demystify the process and help future Full Stack Developers take the next step towards getting their dream career.

What is a Full Stack Developer?

A Full Stack Developer is a computer programmer who handles both front and back end development, which means having a hand in every step of the process--end-to-end, start to finish. A Full Stack Developer will manage the process of software development from its inception, and will troubleshoot along the way. In many cases they’ll also manage upgrades, which means keeping busy long after the software is launched. A Full Stack Developer will need to be well-versed in coding on both the front end and back end, and they’ll also need to be comfortable with analysis.

In order to excel in the position, a Full Stack Developer will need to rely on both technical knowledge and an understanding of the nuances of user engagement. While software relies on the foundation of the back end work, it’s the front end that users will interact with directly--so a Full Stack Developer needs to be comfortable designing the graphical user interface, or GUI, including such elements as images, buttons, and graphs.

Full Stack Developers don’t work in a vacuum, but rather are part of a team of software engineers and others with differing areas of expertise. Designers, Project Managers, Product Managers, and any area-specific developers, whether Front End or Back End, will all be called upon to get the software or application up and running, and to keep everything on track once the product has been launched. In theory, Full Stack Developers are able to work remotely, but sometimes they’re needed in-office or can work a hybrid schedule. Depending on the job--and Developers are needed across industries, from government agencies to corporate entities to nonprofit--they may work freelance, in-house, or on the client side of a software development firm.

In any case, a Full Stack Developer will need to be a solid critical thinker, an excellent communicator, and a true team player.

What Tools Do I Need To Get Started?

Because Full Stack Developers are responsible for both the back and front ends of the software or application, they do need a breadth of knowledge of tools that will help them to be efficient and effective in the work. Not only that, they’ll have to continuously evolve as the technologies change.

Back End Development: 

• Multiple programming languages can be used on the back end, such as Java, Ruby, and Python, but Node.js has become something of an industry-standard. Given that Node.js is written in JavaScript, it will be important to learn that too. Luckily, most programming languages are free and accessible, so it’s a matter of finding the right one (or more than one) for your needs and exploring it fully. 
• Logic-oriented frameworks will help streamline the development of back end systems, and they will depend on the language being used. Examples include Express (used with JavaScript), Ruby on Rails (Ruby), and Django (Python). Most frameworks are free and open-source.
• Storage and retrieval of data require such tools as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB, but familiarity with both SQL-based and NoSQL databases will be a bonus. Products like MySQL Community Edition allow for free usage, while commercial versions often carry a subscription fee.
• API (application programming interface) tools like Insomnia and Postman will allow for the testing and development of APIs, while server management will rely on tools like Nginx and Apache. When it comes to API and server management tools, there are open-source options as well as subscription-based models.
• Security is crucial, which means a Full Stack Developer will need to understand such authorization and authentication tools as OAuth and Passport.js. Production-level code may require paid versions of these tools, but beginners can use the available open-source options for free.

Front End Development:

• On the front end, design tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD are just as important as browser developer tools such as those integrated into web browsers like Chrome and Safari. Free versions are available in most cases, though there are restrictions in place, for example in relation to the number of users and editors allowed.
• Libraries and frameworks such as React and Vue offer developers the opportunity for a structured, efficient build. Both are free.
• Code editors and IDEs (integrated development environments) like Sublime Text and IntelliJ Idea increase productivity by combining capabilities and programming features such as error checking and automatic suggestions. CSS preprocessors like Sass and LESS allow developers to introduce such elements as mixins and variables. Most are available for free at least at the beginner level.
• Since applications need to be accessible on screens of all sizes, responsive design is critical in web development. There’s been an explosion in alternatives to Bootstrap, so developers should experiment with Semantic UI, Tailwind CSS, Foundation, and other free, open-source frameworks that could end up being just the right fit.

Steps to Become a Full Stack Developer

• The first step to becoming a Full Stack Developer is to gain an understanding of the foundational concepts in web development, which include CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. You’ll need to learn how to work with programming languages, databases, servers, and other technologies on the back end, and gain competency with frameworks and design/development tools on the front end. The question is: how to gain those skills in the first place?
• A degree in computer science at the undergraduate or graduate level can teach you all these skills, but it’s not the only path forward. If you have a degree in a different field or no degree at all, you can start by reading books and watching online tutorials. at a minimum, doing this will confirm whether the job feels interesting, challenging, and worthwhile for you. 
• If you have some competency with software engineering to begin with, self-guided Full Stack Developer courses may be enough to give you a basic understanding of the specific skills you’ll eventually need to master, with time and experience. 
• Beyond the self-taught approach, a Full Stack Developer boot camp can be a serious game changer as far as building a portfolio and equipping you with the skills needed to enter the industry.
• Once you’ve picked up the skills, you’ll need to put them in action by building that portfolio--something you could hand over to a potential client or a software firm. The portfolio is your calling card: a way to show prospective employers that you know what you’re doing.
• Portfolio in hand, it’s time to start looking for jobs. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for, and be sure to seek out feedback from friends or colleagues who will be honest about what’s working and what’s not.
• Got an interview? Excellent--now it’s time to hit the books. Make sure you know exactly the type of projects you’ll be expected to work on, learning as much as possible about the company and the industry before you take the interview. Doing the research will help you feel prepared and will show the company or the client that you’re serious about working for them.

Full Stack Developer Career Path

Full Stack Web Developers build web applications on both the front end (what users see when they open a website or app) and back end (the systems that power the software). Because so many industries use web-based applications or sites, Full Stack Web Developer job opportunities run the gamut from full-time to part-time to freelance, and they can work in-person or remotely. 

Teams vary in size depending on the job and the industry, and often one day is quite different from the next. On a given day, Full Stack Developers might find themselves working through a scrum board or ticket system, pair programming with engineers, coding, whiteboarding, troubleshooting, or debugging--and the next day might require an entirely different set of skills.

There are plenty of job opportunities for Full Stack Developers, and listings can be found on Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Monster, and other reputable job boards. The pay, according toIndeed.com, averages $125,000 a year. While a computer science degree used to be a requirement for a job of this nature, that’s no longer the case--hiring Full Stack Developers without a degree is rapidly becoming accepted practice. You’ll simply need a coding bootcamp and a solid portfolio.

Freelancing as a Full Stack Developer is a great way to start out. For one thing, it allows you to gain the experience that can ultimately help you get a full-time job. It’s also a way of ensuring you work only on the projects you’re interested in, and it means you can design your own schedule to a certain extent. 

Why Become A Full Stack Developer?

Software engineering at all levels is a booming business. Why is that? In an increasingly digital world, companies across industries are seeking qualified programmers to help them build and maintain their software platforms and applications. Full Stack Developers, in particular, are in high demand. Their skill set allows them to take on end-to-end projects and head up development teams as needed. As a result, you’ll find that working as a Full Stack Developer offers you both job security and a respectable salary.

One other reason to become a Full Stack Developer: there’s never a dull moment. The job is fast-paced and different from day to day. It requires teamwork and collaboration, but also includes stretches of solitary coding time--a combination that offers the best of both worlds. 

While it’s never fun to be in over your head, working in an uninspiring role can be equally frustrating. Becoming a Full Stack Developer walks that fine line, which means regularly taking on novel challenges and learning new skills while trusting that a solid team will help you keep your head above water. You’ll also have flexibility when looking for work: there are Full Stack Developer jobs in all kinds of industries, and you can look for remote, in-person, or freelance positions, depending on your personal and financial needs and the lifestyle that will be best for you. 

Learn the Skills to Become a Full Stack Developer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s award-winning Full Stack Web Developer Certificate program offers learners the hands-on training and industry-oriented expertise that will allow for a seamless transition into the software engineering and web development workforce. You’ll learn the fundamentals of coding both the infrastructure on the back end and the user-facing visuals on the front end. Expert instructors provide engaging, hands-on learning through projects that will ensure you both understand and retain the material--and that you stay interested throughout the session.

Noble Desktop’s certificate program offers several advantages, including its competitive pricing structure, flexible schedule, and options for in-person learning in New York City or remote from anywhere. The Full Stack Web Developer Certificate program represents a class bundle that’s offered at a 15 to 25% discount, and Noble Desktop is happy to provide an invoice if you’d like to seek tuition reimbursement from your employer. Plus, you can retake the class for free within a year, allowing you to brush up on your skills as needed.

Perhaps you’d like to start on a smaller scale--and that’s okay too. Rather than diving into the Full Stack Web Developer Certificate Program, you could begin with a boot camp that teaches individual programming languages, like Noble Desktop’s React Development Bootcamp, Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap class, or Web Development with HTML & CSS course. All three offer instruction on individual skill sets that can get you started, and help you determine if your interests are on the front end, back end, or both.

With the relevant training and experience, landing a role as a Full Stack Developer will be straightforward. Noble Desktop can help.