Can I Learn Web Development On My Own?

Being a self-taught Web Developer means that you’ve learned web development without the aid of formal instruction or traditional classroom experience, opting instead to learn through online resources, books, and hands-on practical experience. While it is entirely possible to learn web development on your own, there are a few caveats to consider. The time commitment it takes to become skilled in web development on your own is going to be considerable. Without a skilled professional instructor, you’re most likely going to have a difficult time with some concepts. You’ll need to be dedicated and self-motivated to learn web development, practice coding, and be vigilant in building your skill set. It is possible to develop an impressive portfolio, but you’ll have to put in a considerable amount of effort to refine it and shop yourself around.

Advantages of Self-Teaching Web Development

Many would argue that the biggest advantage to teaching yourself web development is being able to learn on your timeline, while others consider the biggest advantage to be the cost savings. Both are a major advantage and which you appreciate more is dependent on your values. A college degree will take several years to complete and will cost tens of thousands of dollars at the very least. Some schools are far more expensive, digging quite a bit deeper to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you teach yourself, you’ll be able to leverage free to low-cost resources to learn in-demand skills that will help propel you in your web development career. 

Other advantages include being in control of the curriculum, schedule, and projects. And as you have to figure things out on your own, you develop superior problem-solving skills as you work through challenges and projects. You’re able to follow your passions when you’re in control of your learning, and you’re free to reimagine what learning looks like. If you have the passion and make an effort to put in the practice, you will be a great Web Developer with the skills and tenacity to think outside of the box and create innovative and exciting web solutions. Most self-taught individuals enjoy having the freedom to follow their path and determine their future. 

While there are many wonderful advantages to being self-taught, as you embark on learning web development on your own you’ll notice that it’s not as easy as it seems. If you’ve never had any experience with web development, coding, or web design, you’ll be learning more than just web development. You’ll also learn more about yourself and just how capable you are. Once you’ve taught yourself, you’ll feel much more confident.

Web Development Self-Teaching Tools

There are more web development self-teaching tools available than ever before. You’ll find many quality resources online that are free or low-cost. YouTube channels like Noble Desktop and others offer a variety of courses that can be used to educate you on key web development concepts. You can also find free tutorials, books, Noble Desktop seminars, and webinars that can help you deepen your understanding of web development. On-demand classes can be very instrumental in helping you learn the skills that will help you succeed in the field. Free learning resources are abundant, but you’ll need to choose wisely. Make sure that the content is current, and be prepared to enroll in multiple classes. Some of the more popular options include online interactive coding platforms, open courseware from reputable schools, developer communities like GitHub, tech blogs and podcasts, and industry tutorials. 

Because being self-taught is so isolating, you’ll want to join in open-sourced projects and make your contributions valuable and memorable. Finding ways to network with other web development professionals is going to be invaluable. Consider joining developer communities to learn more, find a mentor, network, and look for job opportunities. If you find that some of your resources aren’t as in-depth as you need them to be, you may need to layer several resources on the same topic to gain a better understanding of a concept and how to apply it to your projects. Doing so will add to the length of time that it takes to become proficient in the concept, but opting to have an instructor will help increase your efficiency and productivity. Don’t forget to look for certificate opportunities and online badges that will help bolster your credibility in the industry. 

Drawbacks to Learning Web Development on Your Own

Unfortunately, there is a downside to learning web development on your own. Although no one knows you like you know yourself, teaching yourself such a technical skill won’t be easy. If you’re a complete beginner, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are a lot of concepts to cover, including various coding languages and database management that are a lot easier to learn when there’s structure present. Deciding on where to start won’t be easy, and neither will be the order of the other skills you’ll need to master. Another drawback is not having the guidance of an experienced mentor or instructor. This guidance can help to accelerate your learning and bring clarity to challenging concepts. Without guidance from someone with experience, you’ll miss out on some of the career lessons they’ve learned that will help you be a better Web Developer and the chance to leverage their network and benefit from their wisdom.

If you want in-depth training or are looking to gain a solid entry point into web development, it’s best that you learn from a reputable training center with experienced instructors and guidance. Other disadvantages that accompany self-taught web development professionals include being isolated and not having strong professional credibility in the industry. While many hiring managers consider self-taught Web Developers to be just as talented and capable as those who have had formal training, they are less likely to hire self-taught web development professionals. You’ll have to work doubly hard to get started in your career and you most likely will earn an entry-level salary when you are hired. An out-of-this-world online presence and portfolio are absolute must-haves.

Alternatives to Learning Web Development on Your Own

There are many great alternatives to learning web development on your own. While it is certainly a feather in the cap to be a self-taught web development professional, your education is an investment in yourself. While you may have to do some budgeting, investing in your education is going to benefit you in the long run. Different learning formats can help you realize your web development dreams: in-person, live online, self-paced, and hybrid. Each of these has its own merits and can address student-specific needs. 

The most traditional and familiar learning format is in-person classroom instruction. It is generally viewed as the most effective and efficient way to learn a new skill. Its merits include having experienced guidance, peer interactions, real-time feedback, portfolio refinement, career services, mentorship, and student support services. While traditional in-person classes typically cost a fraction of the cost of a college degree, there is a cost. You’ll be supported as you learn, and have the chance to network and increase your range. When you enroll in a Noble Desktop Full-Stack Web Development Certificate course, you’ll have the ability to retake the class for free to reinforce your learning, learn full-time or part-time, collaborate with your peers, learn in-demand skills, and receive 1-on-1 mentoring to work on challenging concepts, resume and portfolio refinement, and your job search. 

Live online classes are growing in popularity because they allow students to skip the commute and have a greater choice in education centers. These classes eliminate geographical barriers to offer students more options and flexibility. Although students and instructors must meet online at the same time, everyone can attend classes from their desired location. These classes are conducted similarly to in-person classes, but they lack some of the social and visual cues that are present in face-to-face interactions. You’ll still have hands-on experience and be able to interact with instructors and peers in real-time, but it will be through a screen. 

Self-paced or asynchronous classes are also online classes that are usually less expensive than live online and in-person classes. The difference is that class sessions are prerecorded and can be taken at your pace according to your schedule. Many of these courses do have an access window, so you’ll need to complete the coursework within your time allotment. This means that you will have to stay focused and motivated. It’s easy to procrastinate in a self-paced course because there is no accountability. Without the presence of a live instructor, many of these courses do not offer certificates of completion or real-time feedback, and any questions you have about coursework won’t be answered immediately.

Hybrid courses are a combination of any two of the above-mentioned learning formats. This format allows students to have a more flexible schedule and a little more autonomy in their education. As you see, there are several learning options available. Each has its advantages and disadvantages; however, the guidance and mentorship that you receive from classes that have a live instructor, like this Front End Web Development Certificate, will give you a richer learning experience that can better position you to find an entry-level position in web development after your training is complete.