In this post-pandemic time period, many people are searching out new professions that allow more flexibility. Working remotely is often at the top of the list of desired options (not to mention the pay but that is entirely a different topic). Web development has always lent itself well to remote work and the pandemic pretty much cemented that notion. Most tech companies worked completely remote throughout the pandemic and many have not fully returned to the office yet and may not at all. I, myself, am a 100% remote employee residing in a different state than my parent company. With that being said, web development is not for everyone and it is wise to put in some due diligence to see if it is right for you before starting down that road.
One of the first things I tell anyone interested in this career field is to understand that it is a lifetime of learning. There hasn’t been a day in my 20 years in this profession that I haven’t had to research something. This may come as a blessing to some but a curse to others. Technology in the web development arena moves fast and there is always something new, more efficient or more elegant coming out. Many non-tech jobs have a tipping point where all the knowledge has been gained for a particular task and it is a flat trajectory after that. That does not describe web development, at least not in regards to front-end development. There are some slower moving back-end languages to explore if that appeals to you more.
My intentions are, in no way, meant to discourage anyone. This is meant to focus on educating those thinking of transitioning. I love what I do and cannot imagine doing anything else. I especially enjoy mentoring others and assisting them on their web development journey.
So what are the skills needed to be a web developer? This can be broken down into two distinct groups: technical and non-technical. Below are my Top 10 lists of skills in each group, in no particular order of importance. All of them together form a solid foundation to be successful in web development.
Technical Skills
- HTML / CSS / JavaScript
- Git and GitHub
- Visual Studio Code
- Responsive Web Design
- UX / UI Design
- Frameworks and Libraries
- Testing and Debugging
- Web EcoSystem
- Web Standards
- Backend Integrations
Non-Technical (Soft) Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Continuous Improvement
- Focus
- Persistence
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Clear Communication
- Time Management
- Teamwork
- Creativity
Each one of these are topics of additional blog posts as there is just too much information to confine to a single post. I have linked them as such so be sure to check them out. Remember, you need not be an expert in any category in the beginning. The goal is to have a well-rounded solid foundation to market yourself to potential employers. Expertise will come over time.
I welcome you to share this information with friends or family that may find it useful. Best wishes in your coding journey!