Institute For Career Research - Career as a Web Developer

TECHNICAL CAREERS CREATING AND MAINTAINING WEB SITES ON THE INTERNET

• Willing to forgo traditional corporate paths
• You must always look to the future
• Keep up with the newest of technology
• Willing to update your skills

• Create and maintain Web sites
• Interact with people who access your sites
• Create new ways to make your sites faster, friendlier and more useful

• Major metropolitan areas
• Web development companies
• Freelance

• $50,000 to $115,000 per year
• Average salary: $75,000 per year

• Major: Computer science
• Minor: Business administration or communications
• Bachelor's or Master's degree

• Exciting
• Not a boring routine job
• The Web is ever changing

• Future unknown
• Relatively few sites make money
• Competitive

The World Wide Web (WWW) is huge. Bigger than you can imagine. There are currently more than two billion websites online, and the Indexed Web contains six billion pages. Indexed pages are those that have been identified by search engines like Google and can be accessed by any user on the Internet. Web developers are the individuals responsible for designing and formatting all this content.

Web developers have certainly been busy since the first-ever website was launched in 1991. In less than three decades, the web has grown exponentially, and it does not appear to be slowing down any time soon. In fact, it is estimated that web developers are now creating roughly 400 new websites every single minute! They make it possible to browse websites from anywhere in the world, and shop, play games, watch movies, read the news, visit art museums, make a doctors appointment and order a prescription refill, stay in touch with friends and relatives, and so much more. Think how many times and in how many ways you use the web in your life and work every day.

The basic job of web developers is to write the code which tells the computer what to do. Of course, there is much more to the process than simply writing commands. Web development involves three parts: front end development, back end development, and webmastering. Front end developers are responsible for the look and feel of a site, and how users interact with its various features. Using programming languages and frameworks like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, theybring static designs to life. Back end developers are concerned with the technical aspects of making sites function properly. They use programming languages like Python and Ruby to build the various features and make them work smoothly with the front end. Webmasters step in after websites are launched. They are responsible for making sure sites are bug-free and responsive to users, and they update them with new materials and features as needed.

Most web developers specialize in either front end or back end development. There are also those who do both. They are known as full stack developers.

Web development is an exciting and growing field on the forefront of the digital age. The Internet and the World Wide Web continue to expand every day and so does the demand for trained pros who can help it grow. Job opportunities are plentiful, making this an attractive career option for many people who want to break into the booming tech industry. It is estimated that the number of web development jobs will grow by 20 percent over the next five years, which is far more than most other occupations including other computer-related jobs.

Organizations of all sizes and descriptions need websites to be updated, expanded, or built from scratch. In fact, an industry report found that web development was the most important IT skill needed for their organizations. Web developers can take advantage of the many opportunities through independent freelance work or by joining the development staff within a company or government agency.

How does someone get started in web development? It is not that difficult if you are technically inclined and like working with computers. Entry-level jobs often require only a small amount of formal education and training, and freelancers are often self-taught through online courses and coding bootcamps. The primary requirement to start with is mastery of three key languages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. There is plenty more to learn once you have mastered these basics, but you can pick up additional skills while you are working (and getting paid).

In addition to strong technical coding skills, web developers need certain soft skills to succeed in the workplace. The most important is the ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical individuals.

Web developers do what they do because they enjoy the work, it pays well, and the lifestyle is flexible. The vast majority claim they are very satisfied with their career. They love creating something that countless people can see and enjoy. The average pay nationally is $75,000 a year, and those with the right combination of skills and work location can earn six figure salaries.

Perhaps the best part of web development is being able to work how and where you want. You could join a company and work as part of a team, or go solo and work as a freelance developer. You could also work part time as a developer to bring in additional income alongside your main job or while you finish school. Best of all, the Internet is everywhere so you can work anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and a connection.

Youcanstartpreparingto become a web developer while still in high school. Take as many computer science classes as you can. Math classes are also helpful. Communications skills are important in this career, especially writing. In addition to standard English classes, consider other classes that could help improve your writing skills. Journalism and creative writing are good choices. If you intend to pursue a college degree, make sure your curriculum includes all the necessary courses for admission.

Start picking up some technical skills right away, especially those related to websites and computer networks. Learn HTML and CSS, which form the backbone of all websites on the Internet. HTML is the language used to mark up a website and tell it what to do. CSS is used to create a design out of the cryptic HTML elements. There are many free tutorials online where you can teach yourself.

Once you have got the basics down, learn the advanced features in HTML5 and CSS3, like video and audio integration, drawing, and animations. Next, learn JavaScript. This is a must-know programming language that will bring your websites to life.

Read every article and book you can find on web development to learn more about the front end, back end, frame works, APIs, Git, and ReactJS.

Code every chance you get. Join the computer club. Compete in hackathons. Start building some projects. You can get project ideas from Udemy courses. When you are ready to go live, volunteer to make websites for five or six school clubs or nonprofit organizations. Use those to establish your portfolio, and make yourself a personal website to showcase your work.

The Internet traces its begin- nings to an experimental computer network known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network). The idea was first conceived in 1967 under the direction of the US Department of Defense. It was the first network to implement the TCP/IP suite (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which became the technical foundation of the Internet.

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