How To Become A Web Developer Without A Degree

Do you enjoy being creative with technology? How about coming up with an app idea that offers immense value?

If you love creating with technology that pursuing web development may be for you. But, what does it mean to be a web developer?

It’s not just about slinging code; it’s about crafting interactive experiences on the web. Whether you’re tinkering with the visible parts of a website as a Front-End Developer, orchestrating the server-side magic as a Back-End Developer, or doing a bit of both as a Full-Stack Developer, the goal is the same: to make something functional and engaging.

To become a great web developer a lot of skills come into play. Sure, you need to be friends with programming languages and frameworks, but there’s more to it. Technical skills will get your foot in the door, with proficiencies spanning from HTML to Python, and SQL to Git. But don’t overlook the soft skills – think of them as the glue that holds your technical know-how together. Effective communication, problem-solving, and meticulous attention to details are just as imperative in this role.

Why is this important? Because in today’s tech ecosystem, being a great web developer isn’t just about what you can do; it’s also about how you do it. Your ability to blend technical expertise with strong communication is what will set you apart.

This isn’t just about theory; I’m here to help you translate these skills into action. Next up, I’ll show you how to sidestep the traditional degree and go full-throttle into a web development career with confidence and competence. These next steps will show you how to become a web developer without a degree.

What About The High Competition?

I know many people who have great jobs and are self-taught or went to an online coding school. There are loads of resources online that you can use for training, so you don’t have to go to college and get a costly degree. No one has time for that.

Nowadays, many people want to be developers, more so now than before. There is a lot of competition, but the demand for software developers far exceeds the supply even with that.

Also, because the field is lucrative and not as stressful as other jobs, many people want to be developers. But I’ve heard stories from people that even though many people want to be developers, only a percentage of those have a passion for the field.

Blueprint to Bypassing the Degree Path

I’m here to help you with a game plan that doesn’t involve spending years in a classroom. The only way to get into web development is not spending $80,000 total over 4 years at a traditional university.

Picture developing websites and applications without ever setting foot on a college campus. That’s right, you can kick-start your coding career with resources that are often less costly and more time-efficient than traditional degrees.

Online courses and coding bootcamps have changed the game. They’re designed to get you job-ready, often slicing years off the learning curve. You want a curriculum that’s in sync with the rapidly evolving tech field, and that’s what these programs offer. They hone your skills in a wide array of relevant technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.

Now, don’t worry too much about the absence of a college degree hanging on your wall. Instead, focus on creating projects that show potential employers what you can do. Developing a portfolio site showcases your work and growth as a developer. It’s proof of your expertise, your commitment to learning, and problem-solving capabilities.

In a sea of developers, stand out with certifications. They’re like trust signals to employers, demonstrating that you mean business. Certificates from respected entities in the industry can give you an edge. They validate your skills and show that a recognized authority has put their stamp of approval on your abilities.

The Self-Made Developer: Crafting and Presenting Your Expertise

Imagine you’ve just completed an array of online courses and coding bootcamps. You’re brimming with knowledge and itching to apply it. That’s where crafting your expertise comes into play. Your first step is to ensure your learning translates into tangible skills, the kind that employers are scouting for.

Your portfolio is your storybook, a visual narrative of your accomplishments and capabilities. Begin by identifying problems you’re passionate about solving. Use these to shape projects that demonstrate your strengths, creativity, and adaptability. This isn’t just about showcasing your best code; it’s also about highlighting your journey and problem-solving prowess.

Perhaps you’ve built an e-commerce site or a mobile-responsive blog, or maybe you’ve contributed code to open-source communities. Include detailed case studies in your portfolio to illustrate your workflow, challenges encountered, and how you overcame them using your technical and soft skills.

Now, let’s focus on the resume. I’m going to tell you straight – it’s essential to pivot your resume to emphasize your web development projects and any relevant experience. Curate it to accentuate your specialized skill set and the value you bring to a potential employer. Explain how self-driven projects or freelance gigs have prepared you for the role at hand.

Preparing for the interview is crucial, and honesty will be your best policy. Be upfront about your unconventional education path, but underscore your unique experiences and self-taught expertise. Detail the learning platforms you’ve used, the projects you’ve tackled, and the technologies you’ve mastered. Convince them that your practical skills outweigh the absence of a traditional degree.

Remember, a robust online presence can complement your resume – maintain an up-to-date LinkedIn profile, a GitHub with your code, and any other platform where your work can shine. You’re not just presenting skills; you’re showcasing a willingness to learn and a commitment to your craft.

Navigating the Web Development Landscape: Opportunities and Earnings

You’re going to find out about the dynamic world of web development, where adapting to change is as crucial as the coding itself. The market for web developers is on a steady incline, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics eyeing a 16% rise in demand from 2022 to 2032. That’s a tall order and a clear signal that if you’re looking to enter the field, the time is ripe.

A fascinating aspect of a career in web development is the earning potential. With figures ranging from $61,000 to as much as $161,000 annually, your paycheck could vary widely. It’s not just a random lottery; factors like where you are, who employs you, the industry you’re in, and your experience play a part in determining where you fall within that range. If you’re eyeing the bigger slice of that salary pie, specialization and continued skill development are your best allies.

In terms of time investment, patience is your friend. For some, proficiencies light up quick—a mere 3 to 6 months through intensive online courses or bootcamps. If you’re marching to the beat of a different drum, taking it part-time, expect a year or so. Remember, your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last. Web development is an iterative process, and so is learning it.

Careers in tech are less about linear progression and more about continual growth. Your educational journey doesn’t end with a job offer—it’s merely a new beginning, a launchpad into a world of infinite digital possibilities.

Continued Growth and Learning in Web Development

It’s clear that stepping into the web development arena without a degree is more than just a starting point; it’s a continuous journey of education and adaptation. To keep your skills sharp and stay competitive, you need to immerse yourself in continual learning and self-improvement.

Don’t forget about the power of connections. Networking with fellow developers, joining tech communities, and engaging with industry professionals are invaluable for opening doors to new opportunities, gaining insider knowledge, and staying in tune with emerging trends.

Prepare to be a lifelong student of the craft. The web development field is dynamic, with new tools, frameworks, and design philosophies emerging regularly. Keep reading, coding, and learning to ensure that the websites and applications you build not only function well but also embody the cutting-edge of online innovation.

Tips

Now that you know that you do not have a degree, here are some tips to get a job.

Be curious, and pick up new technologies.

A curious mind in software engineering is necessary because the software engineering world has changed a lot. You need to dive in and do whatever it takes to keep up with these changes. Take online classes, read docs, or get mentored. Even though it’s essential to learn new technologies, you need to know the management tools used in the industry. Do you utilize Trello? It’s a popular tool for organizing tasks for a project.

Since Universities teach more theoretical than practical knowledge, new college grads have less experience writing production-level code. One of my senior developer friends said that I have more experience writing production-level code than college graduates because of my BloomTech experience.

I would suggest that when you take classes online or even go to an online coding school or Boot Camp, you write down what you’re learning and how you’re using what you know. This could be in the form of a blog post on Medium. Unfortunately, I didn’t practice writing blog posts when I started BloomTech, and I’m only just beginning.

Learn from my mistake, though. It’s essential to be curious about technology. However, when you are starting your programming journey, learn one technology at a time. If you do not do that, you might become overwhelmed, and you may want to quit.

It is better to develop expertise in one language over many months while developing apps in that language. If you follow that advice switching to another language will be easier.

The fundamentals and logic of programming languages are similar; just the syntax is different. You don’t want to be like the old saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.

Build a Fantastic Resume and Cover Letter

Be sure to write a fantastic resume and cover letter. Whenever you apply for a job, tailor your resume to the job description. List your skills and your projects at the top.

Resume

When I was getting to the end of BloomTech(AKA Lamba School), career support gave me an excellent resume template to go by.

You want to highlight your achievements as bullet points underneath each job. Don’t just list them. Explain them in detail with power verbs based on the past or present tense.

Collaborated within cross-functional teams

Configured the application to deploy back end to Heroku and front end to Netlify

Translated UX Wireframes to Code

Cover Letter

How do you effectively write a cover letter? One keyword. RESEARCH. I put that in bold and upper case because I can not stress that enough.

Incorporate their mission statement and core values into a cover letter. Explain how you fit those values and the job description.

Do you need more help with writing a resume and cover letter?

You should definitely tailor your resume and cover letter for the job you want. If you are going for a ‘React’ job, make sure you list ‘React’ projects you have done. There are also things you should pay attention to like formatting, grammar, structure, and all those English-type things that we slept through in our English class.

There are a lot of resources on the web to get resume help. One particular resource that I like is MyPerfectResume. You can build a resume, but they ask you to sign up for a while to download. Don’t worry though it is really cheap. At most, it is 5 dollars.

Reach Out

Having a résumé and cover letter is important, but companies may have an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), that may auto-reject your application based on years of experience. This has happened to me a lot.

However, I have known people in school that has gotten auto rejected by an ATM has but still got an interview because they reached out to an Engineering Manager.

How Do You Reach Out?

I have created a separate article that goes into the details about reaching out to influential people in the company that will really help you as you apply.

Learn This Secret To Good Outreach

Devote Time To Personal and Professional Development

It is essential to be self-aware and to realize where you need to grow. I hate to tell you this, but if someone told you you’re perfect, they might be lying. I’m pretty sure they’re lying. I’m sorry, don’t get mad at me about it. I’m just telling you the truth.

Strengthen your weaknesses. This can look like professional development. Read some self-development books, take some online classes, or seek out mentorship. I have read many self-development books in the past that have helped me work with people better and understand everyone’s unique personality.

The following four books are ones that I recommend as part of your self-development journey.

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
2. The Magic of Thinking Big – David Schwartz
3. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
4. Personality Plus – Florence Littauer

Your cheapest bet to find these books are Amazon or the library. There are probably more great development books. Let me know of any others in the comments.

Own Up to Mistakes

Don’t play the blame game. Move on from your mistakes and acknowledge that you have made mistakes before. One thing employers love hearing is how you’ve learned from mistakes. Remember, a failure is an event, not a person. So, when you fail, acknowledge the event, fix it, learn from it and move on.

Employers love hearing about the time and effort you put into learning how to program. If you have a full-time 9-to-5 job and want to switch careers and learn to program on the side, employers will respect the effort.

I came from a different field and discovered that I wanted to change careers to programming. Even with a full-time job, sometimes I studied programming for hours.

Build Up a Strong Portfolio

Make a website with projects that you have done. I took a class where they guided me through making an e-commerce store, then took that inspiration and created an e-commerce store on the side.

Do you want guidance or ideas for developing side projects? I recommend online coding schools, like nucamp, Free Code Camp, CodeCademy, Udemy, or Coursera. I will be writing in-depth articles about these in the future. These are just a few resources that provide you with a structure and a curriculum to follow to develop a great portfolio to impress employers.

Next Steps

To sum it up, becoming a successful web developer without a degree isn’t just about conquering the technical mountain. It’s about journeying on an ever-evolving path of professional growth. Invest time in learning, building connections, and staying abreast of new developments, and you’ll find that your career can ascend to impressive heights.

If you’re hesitant about going into programming or are depressed about the high competition, remember that not everyone who wants to be a developer has a passion for it. YOU CAN DO IT. YOU CAN BECOME A WEB DEVELOPER WITHOUT A DEGREE even when others say you can’t.

I have a few questions to spark a conversation.

1. Did you find this post helpful? If so, why?
2. What are other ways that you can think of to help others stand out in their job hunt

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