5 STEPS TO BECOMING A WEB DEVELOPER
Tags: webdev, codenewbie, programming, devops
Published: 2021-08-04 23:55:48



This topic was inspired by the question someone asked from my last post. He asked, "How can I become a Web Developer?" I just hope he sees this post. 
Let me begin by saying there are three types of web development specialties, each of which has slightly different skills, calculations and responsibilities:
• Frontend development: This deals with the visible elements of a website, such as the pages themselves and their elements (e.g. menus, photos or videos, buttons, forms and more).
• Backend development: This involves the behind-the-scenes elements of a website (e.g. servers, applications, databases and more).
• Full-stack development: This combines both front and backend development work. The term "full-stack" means full range of skills for all aspects. 
So let's get started, guys. To become a Web Developer, you need to take the following steps:

1. PREPARE YOUR TOOLS. 
I am yet to see a Web Developer without a LAPTOP. I am yet to see a Teacher without textbooks. I am yet to see a Doctor with stethoscope. A laptop with at least 4GB RAM, 500GB ROM and a processor speed of 1.60GHz is NOT a complete bad idea to start with. Getting your tools makes you ready for serious business. So get a very good laptop (and maybe a mouse) that will be suitable for your new journey. 

2. GET THE EDUCATION. 
You will need to be educated in the basic tools of web development. In this current dispensation, a four-year college degree isn't necessarily required to land a web-developer job. But if you have the opportunity to acquire a degree, good for you. However, you will need to really learn the rudiments of web development. So first, You will need to really get your hands dirty with HTML and CSS, which are fundamental to web development. You can progressively learn Bootstrap, JavaScript, Vue.js, Laravel, PHP and MySQL. At Gygital, we train people how to code and build softwares that people can use to manage their businesses and solve everyday challenges. 

3. LEARN FROM OTHERS. 
In the official music video titled "The Best", we see Davido starring as the ‘Sensei’ and Mayorkun as the ‘Karate Kid’, we see the idyllic fields transformed into a training ground of all Davido’s students learning how to become ‘The Best’ from the best. You will also hear the lyrics, "I learnt from the best." You have to learnt from others as well.  By connecting with others, you'll have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, judge (and learn from) others' work, be inspired by what people are doing and stay abreast of developments in your field.

4. STAY CURRENT ON YOUR SKILLS. 
The world is moving at a very fast pace, it is  important for web developers to stay up-to-date on the new skills and technologies needed for their jobs. The truth is, you will not learn most of the things you need to succeed in life from the classroom. In fact, what I am learning right now, I never learnt it in the lecture hall. Coding is a CONTINUOUS LEARNING PROCESS. So learn and relearn everyday.

5. KEEP A GOOD PORTFOLIO AND A LINKEDIN PROFILE. 
A good portfolio that shows off your web development jobs is an invaluable asset. A good portfolio can contain job samples, testimonials of past jobs done and so on. Also, you have to be on LinkedIn. You may decide not to be on any social media platform, but not LinkedIn. Do you know that whenever someone searches for you on google, your LinkedIn profile shows up first? As a professional, LinkedIn profile is a must-have.
Thank you!