Top Reasons to Become a Web Developer
There’s no better time to enter the tech world. Growth is rapid and there’s plenty of room to advance. And becoming a web developer is a great entry point for your tech career. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranked web developer as #8 on its list of “25 Best Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree” and #8 in “Best Technology Jobs”. Web developer was also listed in its “Top 100 Jobs” overall and “Best STEM Jobs”.
If you know your way around a personal computer, you’re ready to take the next step to becoming an entry-level web developer. Here’s why you should start learning a programming language in 2019:
The job growth outlook is positive
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job growth will be 13 percent through 2016, which is much faster than the average growth of all occupations. According to U.S. News, more than 21,000 new web developer jobs will need to be filled in a space that already has nearly 163,000 positions.
This is great news for those entering the field. The growth is expected to result mainly from the expansion of ecommerce. More and more companies will be offering their products online in an effort to better serve today’s consumers. This means that more web developers will be needed to build online retail websites. The increased need for mobile responsive websites is also a growth driver in the industry.
Web developers have high salary potential
Web developers can command a great salary. This only grows with experience and a solid portfolio of past work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for web developers in 2016 was $66,130.
While bottom 25 percent made $47,580, the top earners made over $90,000 annually. Gaining the right skills and understanding in responsive design, good project management practices, and proper design will go a long way in helping you gain the salary you want.
There are plenty of career options
Some developers handle front end and back end design of a website, but many companies will divide these responsibilities. Taking a broad web development course online can help you discover where your passion lies. You can then begin working toward certificates and credentials in specialized areas like web design, programming, or even app development that will help you reach your specific career goals.
Regardless of the path you choose, your job will never be the same from day to day. Creativity and uniqueness are key in this field, so you’ll be able to stretch yourself while working to fulfill client needs.
Endless clients need a skilled web developer
Do you think that tech careers involve working alone in front of a computer screen all day? This definitely isn’t that case for web developers who need to work with clients and coworkers on a daily basis. There is a fine line between what a client thinks they want, and what they actually need to attract and obtain customers. It’s your job as a developer to walk that line and produce a great product.
Meeting with clients, listening to their needs, and making recommendations based on sound design principles is part of the job. You’ll need to have patience and the ability to help clients understand what they want while staying true to good development practices as well as the ability to communicate complex topics in a way that is simple and easy-to-understand.
While it’s true that you don’t need a college degree to enter this career, online training courses to become a web developer will prove very helpful as you search for employment. Take the time to gain the proper skills to be a web developer and explore all facets of the career, so you can be sure that you’re on your way to a job you’ll enjoy. This year could be the one where you find yourself ready to take on the development world in a new tech career.
Now it’s up to you to take the first step.
Are you ready to start building your web developer portfolio?
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