Is 30 Too Old to Learn React?

Exploring a career change can be intimidating, especially if you’ve already established yourself in another or need to learn an entirely new field. There’s good news though: it’s never too late to learn React. Programming and web development are continually growing fields and the demand for experts in React is consistently high. This article will explore how you can learn React efficiently so you can make your career transition as seamlessly and quickly as possible.

Why Learn React at 30?

By the time you reach your thirties, you’ve probably gotten an associate's or bachelor's degree and reached a mid-level role in a related field. Perhaps that field is software development and you’re an accomplished software engineer or architect. In that case, learning React can help propel you to the next level in your career, allowing you to take on new tasks or move into a managerial role. 

If your degree or current career are in an entirely different field, learning React can provide you a pathway to starting over. If you’re a UX or UI Designer, you’re especially well-suited for a transition into programming with React. As a designer, you know how to design easy to use and engaging web and app layouts, research ways to improve, and analyze data from tests - all things that will help you when it comes to learning the technical field of web development and programming. Even if you’re from an entirely different field, skills like adaptability, strategy, and testing will all be useful in React. 

By the time you’re in your thirties, you have a better understanding of the field you’ve chosen, and if it’s actually the right fit for you. Midlife career changes are common and switching in your thirties means you still have enough time to establish yourself in a new field and work your way into a leadership role. React.js continues to be the most popular frontend JavaScript library, with a market share of over 40% and, according to one survey, a whopping 69% of developers have used React.js, with 54% saying they would use it again. The pervasiveness of React in programming and development means that there’s no shortage of work for those with the right skills, so a career switch, even in your thirties, can certainly be worth it. 

How Long Will it Take to Learn React?

There are a lot of educational resources out there to read and watch that will help you build your understanding of React. From free training, courses, and webinars to video tutorials and books, knowledge is truly at your fingertips. But, if you’re looking for the options that can help you learn at a faster pace, certain options may be better for you than others. 

Online or In-Person Training and Bootcamps

Live training and bootcamps, whether attended virtually or in-person, tend to be the fastest way to learn React. Live online classes offer instant feedback from your teacher and interactions with other students, creating the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the coursework. These classes are ideal for students that thrive in a structured learning environment with routine accountability check-ins. If you encounter any challenging material, you can ask questions in real time instead of spending unnecessary time figuring it out on your own. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. You’ll master React the quickest in a full-time course but any class with scheduled times will help you learn faster than trying to master React entirely on your own or in an on-demand program. 

On-Demand Classes 

Also known as self-paced, on-demand classes offer the most flexibility of any class option but don’t win any awards for speed. They do have quite a few benefits for busy professionals, though. Not only can you learn from wherever you want, you can also learn whenever you want. There are no due dates or scheduled class times, so you can take your time on challenging topics or skip over ones you’ve already mastered. These classes are ideal for learners with complicated schedules who need to squeeze their studying in around their work and other obligations. You’ll need to be an independent and self-motivated student to succeed in an on-demand class. It’s very easy to lose momentum or fall behind when you don’t have any outside accountability, so these courses tend to take longer than a structured live course. 

Free Resources 

You could take advantage of free resources like YouTube making the most of the insights, tools, and short tutorials made available by industry experts. Code Academy offers some free intro courses in React that are ideal for beginners and Glitch: React Starter Kit is a five-part video course with interactive code examples. Coursera is another option, with various training sessions and videos lasting from just a few minutes to a few days. While free resources are financially helpful, this method can take the most time. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all your learning materials and ensuring that you’ve covered all the important subjects of React, and this process can take a substantial amount of time. Additionally, like on-demand courses, it’s easy to lose motivation and fall behind with free resources. 

Ways to Make Learning React Easier and Quicker

The quickest and easiest way to learn React is through a live class. You’ll be able to receive feedback and troubleshoot any difficult projects in real-time with an expert instructor and learn from a top-notch curriculum developed by industry professionals. You’ll also have the chance to connect with other students and other React experts through networking opportunities. Plus, scheduled class times and due dates offer a level of accountability that most students find highly motivating.

Live classes are available in two formats: part time and full time. Part-time classes are typically offered in the evenings or on weekends, allowing you to maintain your current 9-5 work schedule. Because you’re only learning in the evenings or on the weekends, attending part time usually takes double twice as long as attending full time. Full-time courses will be more demanding of your schedule, as they’re often held during regular business hours. Think of a full-time course like being enrolled in school again. Your learning will be your entire focus, but the major benefit is that you can master React in the shortest amount of time. 

Full-time classes and part-time classes may differ in how comprehensive they are as well. Some part-time classes, in order to save on time, may not cover as many topics as a full-time course. Plus, a full-time course offers a more immersive experience, as you’ll spend less time being pulled away from your studies to deal with other work or life responsibilities.

With all that in mind, below are some questions you should ask yourself when deciding which is right for you.

• Are you between jobs or able to take vacation time to complete a full-time training course? 
• Are you only free in the evenings and need a class that can accommodate your schedule?
• How quickly do you need to master React?
• How immersive do you want your program to be?

Live Classes at Noble Desktop

Live React courses are an ideal learning method for those entirely new to the field. Live online classes are great for those who prefer a solitary learning environment with minimal distractions. They allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose), providing more flexibility. Additionally, if you live in an area with limited (or no) in-person options, online classes open up more opportunities for you. 

If you thrive in a collaborative classroom environment, look into in-person classes. You’ll be able to work with other students, make new friends, and receive feedback and input from your instructor in the moment. These classes also provide a higher level of accountability and are a superb choice for those who struggle to keep themselves motivated or on task. They are, of course, less flexible than an online class, but often their advantages outweigh this one disadvantage. 

Noble Desktop offers in-depth courses both live online and in-person at their New York office. Their React Development Bootcamp covers everything from the basics of React and Node.js to advanced components and server deployment. You'll start with learning how to compose components, the foundations of React, and then move on to building dynamic fully functioning web applications and deploying them using AWS (Amazon Web Services). This Noble Desktop course (and many others) boasts small class sizes, one free retake, and setup assistance. If you’re interested in pursuing further education, this course counts towards three of Noble’s certificate programs: Full-Stack Web Development, Software Engineering, and JavaScript Development. 

Want to take your skills to the next level? Noble Desktop’s JavaScript Development Certificate is a longer professional training program that will teach you how to build web apps with JavaScript, one of the most popular programming languages in the world. You’ll learn to master React and Node.js, create APIs with Express.js, and work with databases with MongoDB. This course also covers additional topics like Browser Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) built into web browsers, third-party APIs, and third-party frameworks and libraries. If you’re a new developer or an existing one coming from a different background, learning JavaScript will up your game to web application development.

Similarly, the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate helps you develop the skills and knowledge to meet the growing demand for developing and maintaining web applications. This course will teach you to use programming languages like HTML/CSS and JavaScript to program memorable, interactive web pages. You’ll also use the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) to add databases, APIs, AWS and other server environments, and interactivity for those web applications. Focused on a series of projects, you’ll leave this course with a portfolio of working web applications to show to potential employers.

Finally, Noble’s Software Engineering Certificate covers HTML & CSS, JavaScript, and React, and back end development with Python, Django, and Node.js. You’ll learn HTML to mark up web pages and CSS for styling; the fundamentals of JavaScript; Git for version control; and how to use Flexbox and Grid to layout, align, and reorder web page content, as well as make it adapt to different size screens. The second part of the course will cover JavaScript programming concepts, including variables, data types, loops, and DOM. You’ll also build your very own desktop application using React and deploy it using the AWS (Amazon Web Services) cloud environment. Finally, you'll master the lexical syntax of Python and quickly move to more advanced topics like dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms. You'll then progress to object-oriented programming, working with APIs, and querying databases with SQL. By the end of this course, you’ll have a portfolio of projects, a polished resume, and a professional LinkedIn profile; be prepared for common interview questions; and be armed with tips for applying to jobs.