Web development is a rewarding career path with numerous opportunities, from entry-level positions to advanced technical roles. This exciting field includes tools like HTML and CSS, programming languages like Python and JavaScript, and responsive layout models like Bootstrap and Flexbox.

A thorough training in web development can prepare you for positions like the following:

Web Development Explained

Creating a website with an attractive design and easy navigation involves multiple moving parts. Web development is roughly made up of front end development and back end development. Some professionals get positions as Front End Developers, others specialize as Back End Developers, while still others learn the entire process, becoming Full Stack Developers.

If you want to learn web development, it’s helpful to know what you can do with that knowledge. Here are some facts about the field that can help you decide which direction to go.

  1. Web developers can get high-paying jobs. In fact, recent data shows many workers moving into tech without college degrees, previously considered a standard requirement. As of 2020, the median pay for Web Developers and Digital Designers was $77,000 per year.
  2. Web development has a bright outlook: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% growth rate from 2020-2030 for web developers, faster than any other field.
  3. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are well-established skills for every web developer, and all three are relatively easy for beginners to learn.
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Have a Plan

One of the most challenging questions about web development is how and where to start. You’ll need to do some research to decide if you want to pursue a career as a Web Developer, Software Engineer, or a Project or Product Manager. Areas of specialization like Python, .NET, and Ruby may appeal to you within the web development category.

If you plan to pursue web development, consider whether you’re interested in a specialized position or a more comprehensive role, like that of a Full Stack Developer. The following tools and skills can give you an idea of how all these positions differ.

  • Front End Development - You’ll need to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. JavaScript takes time to master, but you can learn HTML/CSS in a short time at the beginning of a web development bootcamp. As part of your JavaScript training, you’ll need to master libraries and frameworks like jQuery, React.js, and Bootstrap.
  • Back End Development - Here you’ll need back end languages like Java, Python, and C#. While you don’t have to decide in advance which ones to learn, you’ll be creating connections between databases and users. A specific position will often require which languages you need to have learned.
  • Full Stack Development - As a Full Stack Developer, you’ll have to know server-side languages, front end libraries and frameworks, and a database management system. A comprehensive course can teach you the skills and knowledge you need, qualifying you for front end and back end positions as well.

Investigate specialties like Ruby Developer, Python Developer, and .NET Developer along with the more general titles’ responsibilities. You can determine which areas are foremost if you know what you plan to do with the knowledge you get through training.

Learning the Basics

Developers learn through many resources, and not everyone follows the same path. Consider the following options.

  • Free Learning Platforms - While you can certainly start with free online resources, this can be frustrating: different sites may contradict each other, and you may quickly determine that you get what you pay for when it comes to blog posts, videos, or free tutorials.
  • Individual Classes - One of the most popular ways of starting a web development education is to take a short seminar or workshop. An introduction to coding with JavaScript or using HTML can help you decide what area of development you prefer.
  • College or University Programs - If you’re going into a field like web development, a degree provides in-depth training over a four-year period. You’ll qualify for many positions if you take this route, but it’s important to know you want to pursue the development field before committing to a course of study.
  • Bootcamps and Certificates - The happy medium between a short introductory class and a costly four-year degree is an immersive web development bootcamp or certificate program. The Full Stack Web Development Certificate from Noble Desktop is one example: This program takes students from novice to qualified Full Stack Developer—in 10 weeks full-time, or nine months on a part-time basis.

Additional Resources

If you know you want to specialize in Python, you can enroll in a Python Developer Certificate program. Or you might want to choose a JavaScript Development Certificate or React Development Bootcamp.

While a program like the Full Stack Web Development Certificate or Python Developer Certificate may be your best option, you may not initially be able to make such a commitment. To start with shorter classes, consider the following alternatives:

  • Flexbox, Grid & Bootstrap - Appropriate for front end development students, and those planning to train for full stack development.

Combining Knowledge, Skills & Results

A portfolio-based program like Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate can save you time and money, but you may wonder: where do I go from there?

Learning by doing is one of the best ways to master web development, and a certificate program combines knowledge and skill sets with a portfolio you can use to apply for positions in the field. Once you have HTML and CSS skills, you can even do small freelance jobs to gain valuable experience.

You can also look for part-time positions, contract work, or internships in the field. Bootcamps like the Full Stack Web Development Certificate and Python Development Certificate provide 1-on-1 mentoring, including portfolio review and career advice. With the right skills and guidance, these resources can help you land the position you want.

Ongoing Education

Once you have some experience outside the classroom, you’ll quickly understand how web development roles require lifelong learning. Although the best way to learn for your particular role may start with a single course or an immersive bootcamp, on-the-job education can lead to increasingly better positions. Here are some tools and resources to consider as you grow in your career.

  1. Networking - While you might not think web developers or software engineers go to networking events, you’d be surprised to learn how much is happening—both in-person and online. Leverage LinkedIn or join professional organizations in your field. And if you get on a project or product management track, check out groups like PMI to grow your network and your net worth.
  2. Additional Certifications (Noble Desktop) - Web Developers and Software Engineers benefit from having a Certificate of Completion from a bootcamp like Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. If you launch your career that way, you may also decide to return for a React Development Bootcamp or JavaScript Development Certificate.
  3. Other Certifications (Various) - After you begin working in the field, your education doesn’t stop there. You might want to learn more to qualify for desirable positions by obtaining certifications like the following:
    1. Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
    2. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)
    3. CIW Web Development Professional

Other relevant certifications for development pros to keep in mind include Microsoft’s Azure Fundamentals, MySQL Oracle, C or C++ programming certifications, Agile, Salesforce, and Amazon Web Service (AWS) Certified Developer.

Some of these suggestions are only appropriate for particular positions. Depending on the development path you choose, other certifications may be even more beneficial. Once you’ve found your dream job, they can be your smartest bet for ongoing career development—and that’s one of the best ways for working Web Developers to grow their knowledge and skills.