Are you thinking about becoming a web developer? It’s not much of a surprise these days as the internet becomes a permanent fixture in everyday life. What’s more, web development is becoming a lucrative career. Research also shows the demand for web developers is projected to increase in the upcoming years.
But, what if you don’t want to go back to school? Simply because you don’t have the time or money for it? Not to worry as how to become a web developer without a degree is actually possible. Check out the options below:
Before You Start
Before getting started, it’s important that you have a little bit of background in web development. How to become a web developer without a degree is achievable but make sure you do the following before you start going about it:
Have the Right Learning Tools
You can’t become a web developer without having a computer! That’s like being a writer without a pen or a fisherman without a rod. Having the best laptop for web development can really improve your chances of learning web development faster and better. Make sure to have good internet, too.
Choose a Specialization
For an easier flow, you need to know your goals as a web developer. There are typically 3 paths you can take: front-end, back-end, and full-stack developer. Once you know what you want your specialization to be, you will know which skills to improve and what kind of projects you should take on.
Ways to Become a Web Developer Without a Degree
Once you are committed to becoming a web developer, it’s time to bring in a lot of patience for learning. Here are some of the ways to on how to become a web developer without a degree:
Self-Study
In this day and age, you can pretty much find anything you need to learn about online. So, you can focus on studying yourself on topics such as HTML coding, MySQL, JavaScript, and more. You can also borrow or buy books, just make sure that they are up to date.
Short Course
Taking a short course is a better option than going back to college for 4 years if you want to become a web developer right away. Short courses are ideal if you have a hard time self-studying. This way, you’ll have an instructor who can guide you through the basics of web development or dive right into specializations.
Bootcamp
One of the most important things about web development is, it’s not something you can learn on theory alone. You actually need to practice your coding skills. Joining a bootcamp is the way to go to not just hone your skills but actually prepare you for an actual career in web development.
Create a Portfolio
A big problem with pretty much any job is companies and prospective clients want to hire people who have experience. A workaround to this problem is by making your own portfolio. Create sample websites for prospective clients, code every single day if you can.
Once you have compiled your samples, choose the best ones to include in your profile. This is what you can show future clients or companies you want to apply to.
Internships
Now, there are a few companies that are willing to take on web developers who have no experience at all. The catch, of course, is it doesn’t pay. But the good thing about an internship is it will really test you and put your skills to good use. It’s not just about the experience but also a good addition to your resume.
Web Development Groups
It’s true what they say about knowing the right people and having the right connections is way important in life. You can join web development groups where you can interact with fellow web developers who are just starting out their journey just like you. You might even find a helpful mentor who can train you.
A good thing about joining a web development group is you will be open to opportunities that aren’t offered to just anybody. In some cases, knowing the right people can help you get a leg up in scoring web development projects even if you don’t have a degree.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to become a web developer without a degree, it’s time to get moving. Since the internet is ever-changing, you need to remember that becoming a web developer is a continuous journey. You need to always be updated with the latest coding techniques, software, program, or anything related to the internet and web development.
Becoming a web developer is not just learning of course. But it is about doing. You can’t instantly turn into a web developer by getting a degree. You need to continue being one through consistent coding and web development, it’s not a constant state.
