The IT industry is seeing a huge influx of demand for full-stack developers. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, full-stack developers are in the highest demand among all other careers in IT. Not only is this because of the increasing importance of the internet in our world, but also because companies and organizations find that those who can handle both front-end and back-end processes keep on projects better than those who specialize in just one field.

However, it can be tricky to find resources to develop your skills to the point where you are a certified full stack developer. There is so much information that you need to be aware of, and finding where to begin can be a challenge. In this guide, we’ll help you find where to begin based on what you intend to pursue, as well as some of the tips that we found were beneficial to becoming a full-stack developer.

Pick Up New, Varied Skills

As full-stack developers, you will be required to be familiar with and use many different programming languages, systems, and frameworks. You must be not only exposed to all these but also be proficient in being able to design, develop and troubleshoot within these different tools.

To begin, we highly suggest you pick up JavaScript and Python, which will both give great insight into the core fundamentals of programming and development. JavaScript is both accessible and common language for building front-end solutions, while Python is used by many for managing back-end structures.

From there, you can begin to explore the various other languages and services that will be integral to full-stack developers. For front-end development, HTML and CSS are vital to building front-end interfaces. Python is a great start to get your feet wet in programming, but you should also consider picking up Ruby and .NET, and even Java. Dealing with databases is also a core aspect of full-stack developers, and learning MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB, and SQLServer would be beneficial for you. Git is a great application that allows you to manage version control, which is important for managing project developments. Learning about design through various design documents and best practices will also be greatly beneficial to front-end design development. Lastly, using Linux and Apache servers to learn server management will prepare you for the role of full-stack developer.

Getting proficient, or at the very least familiar, with all these different tools may seem daunting, but many are all interlinked in similar structures and concepts. The core fundamentals, like logical cases and theoretical programming, can all be found within these, with the difference being the little specifics between each of them.

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Back To School

While considering formal education in established institutions is a good option to consider, some other industry-led programs and courses are offered to give you a leg up. Many recommend what the industry calls a ‘boot camp’, intense courses that focus on completing building up your understanding and proficiency in certain areas. There are many boot camps offered to prospective students, and they all vary in topic, rigor, duration, and commitment. From part-time courses to full-time ones, offline or online, there are plenty that you can choose to attend. We highly recommend looking for courses that fit not just your intended niche but to also find ones that best cater to your needs. 

Make sure to research your boot camps before joining them. Ensure that they are taught by seasoned veterans or certified instructors in the field and that they have the learning style that fits you best. Look for good reviews or take recommendations from your peers within your area to get an idea of what fits you best.

Join A Network

The beauty of software development is that you can collaborate and crowdsource solutions to problems that you may face. Developing can be a rather isolating role at times, but it doesn’t have to mean that you must be isolated with a problem that is giving you grief.

While learning or taking part in a boot camp, don’t feel afraid to seek the counsel and advice of your fellow peers who are also learning, or from those who are instructing. When you’re in the workspace, you can instead turn to your colleagues and team members for solutions to an issue. Very likely, someone has already encountered the problem you’re facing before you have. It is a waste to not seek their expertise and instead spend valuable time and energy solving it by yourself.

It is not just limited to the spaces and environments that you find yourself in either. The internet, as we all know, is a great place that is full of passionate people with the same interests as you. Look for forums and communities that revolve around what you’re doing, and participate in it by asking and answering developing questions.

Decide On Your Specialty

Full-stack developers are inherently meant to be able to handle almost any task given to them with a certain level of competency. However, it is impossible to expect any full-stack developer to be entirely knowledgeable about every field. What makes a good full-stack developer is being knowledgeable about all fields, but being particularly good at one.

Not only does this mean that you have greater options when applying for a job (applying for either a specific kind of development, or as a full-stack developer), but it also allows you to use your expertise to advise and integrate with other tools and services.

Once you’ve figured out what you want to specialize in, also look for certifications that validate your proficiency and expertise within that area. There are plenty of certifications to obtain, but the common ones that many employers seek are MTA, AWS, Oracle, and CSD.

Conclusion

Becoming a full-stack developer is a long process, and it is intimidating. But there are many resources that you can leverage to make the process easier. By taking the time to allow yourself to experience different aspects of development, from server management to front-end and back-end, you will be able to grow as a full-stack developer.

Through this journey, some may come to feel that progressing as a developer isn’t suited for them moving forward. Thankfully, the same skills that you learn as a full-stack developer also allow you to cross over to other career types. From Project management to cybersecurity, data analytics, and even accounts management, there are many careers where your developing experience will be beneficial for you. Nevertheless, we encourage you to learn as much as you can, as it will be beneficial for your future career path, regardless if you decide to continue being a full-stack developer or to transition to something different.