Entry Level Jobs in Full-Stack Development

Full-stack  developers earn some of the highest salaries in the field of software  engineering. Experts in both back-end and front-end programming, these  developers need to know multiple languages and have a comprehensive  understanding of the entire web development process.  

Front-end  development involves handling the visible parts of a website or app.  This includes formatting content on a page, constructing the layout,  adding images, and adjusting fonts and colors.  

In back-end development, you’re working with databases. You’re responsible  for maintaining the data received from users and making sure it’s  stored securely by the server.  

Full-stack developers combine both skills. And as you’d probably expect, the demand for full-stack developers is high.

A long and prosperous career starts with a great entry-level job. So if you’ve got some coding experience in the books and you’re ready to  start the job hunt, here’s a crash course in what it means to be a  full-stack developer, and how to land that first full-time gig.  

How to Land an Entry-Level Full-Stack Development Job

First  off, let’s make sure you’re eligible for a full-stack development role.

In order to earn this title, you need to know both front-end and  back-end development processes and languages.  

So if you’re still in the early stages of learning HTML, you’re probably  not ready to get hired in a full-stack development position. You’ll be better off starting with a internship or formal education in software engineering.  

If you do know back front-end and back-end programming, then you can start the process of getting your first full-stack development job. Here are the basic steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Hone your full-stack coding and collaboration skills.  
2. Enroll in a course that preps you for success in the job market.  
3. Create a portfolio that displays your depth of coding knowledge.  
4. Start your job search.  

If you’re ready to get started, here are the ins and outs of every stage of your education and job search.  

Front-End Development Skills

Front-end development involves the visible parts of a website where user interactions happen, and it’s usually where new programmers start their path to full-stack development. Programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are used to create user-friendly websites or apps.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language): HTML is the principal language you need to know to build a website. Almost  all websites are HTML-based. With HTML, you can build the structure and  content of your web pages. At present, HTML5 is the version being used  although the basics of HTML are largely the same.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Along with HTML, you have to learn CSS to get hired as a full-stack developer. Using CSS, you can control how a web page looks. It provides you with the options to set fonts, colors, images, and more.  

The reason you need to know both HTML and CSS is that you can control the  HTML elements using CSS. Presently, CSS3 is the version in use.

JavaScript: JavaScript is what adds life to your website. It helps you make the site more interactive. It’s a scripting language that instructs programs on what to do. And as a bonus, functions that used to be performed by back-end developers can now be done using JavaScript.  

Many sites are developed using only HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. But other tools may be used according to the requirements to enhance the appearance of the site. Learning HTML and CSS completely would take around one month if you’re a beginner.  

These languages are easier to understand than JavaScript. To get the hang of JavaScript, you’ll need to dedicate a few months to learning and practicing it.

Back-End Development Skills

Back-end development is focused on the behind-the-scenes work of making a website. These are sections that users don’t interact with. To be proficient in back-end development, you should understand the following languages.

Python: Python is one of the most popular programming languages today, and it’s relatively easy to learn. It’s object-oriented which means that developers can use blocks of code to build sites. Python is used in software development and scripting. Generally, Python  scripting is carried out on the server-side but can also work on the  client-side.  

Like JavaScript, Python also has frameworks. It’s an essential language to learn if you’re committed to earning that full-stack developer title.

Ruby on Rails: Ruby  is a programming language and Rails is the framework for Ruby that  helps you code intuitively and efficiently. Ruby on Rails is used to  develop web applications. It provides code for many basic functions that  developers incorporate in their websites. This reduces the need for  coding repeated functions and ultimately makes troubleshooting easier.  

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor): Like JavaScript, PHP is a scripting language. It can be used to automate many processes, like responses to user actions and interactive animations.  

Usually,  web developers use it on the server-side. This means that it can be  used to get the site’s content from its database and display it for the  users. PHP  is not the most important language you need to know but it will help  you with server-side management - a responsibility that every full-stack  developer will need to take on at one point or another.  

Apart from these programming languages, you can opt to learn JAVA, C#, and Perl for added value.  

To be a full-stack  developer, you also need to know about databases for back-end  development. MySQL, Oracle, and MongoDB are some of the popular  databases.  

Get An Education in Full-Stack Development

As  you can see, being a full-stack developer requires a lot of knowledge  related to client-side programming as well as server-side programming.  Fortunately, there are ways you can speed up your journey to becoming a full-stack developer, with minimal toil and frustration.  

To kickstart your career as quickly as possible, enroll in a course like our Software Engineering bootcamp. You'll  learn all the coding languages you need to excel, and practice applying  them to build real-life solutions. Your education is complimented with 6  months of complete career support while you apply to jobs and start  your new career.  

Build Your Portfolio

Throughout your education, you should be thinking about tailoring your online portfolio. Work on an array of projects that showcase your breadth of skills – both on the front end and back end. By creating a solid portfolio, you’ll have a better chance of getting hired.  

It’s also a good idea to build a website for yourself. Building a website to display your skills and host your portfolio will show potential employers exactly what you can do, and also demonstrates your commitment to a career in full-stack development.

Launch Your Job Search

If  only the jobs could come to you. Alas, even if you’ve aced all your  coursework and painstakingly prepared the perfect portfolio, you still have to prepare for job applications and interviews.  

Search  specifically for full-stack developer jobs on multiple job boards.  Apply to several positions each day, and make sure you’re putting your  effort into roles where you’re appropriately qualified.  

Once  you’re actively searching for a job, make sure you’ve got a solid  LinkedIn portfolio that links to your contact info and portfolio. Engage in online communities and hackathons so you can keep your skills sharp, and continue meeting others in the industry.  

If  you’re regimented about your job search, and put in the effort to  prepare for interviews, then it’s only a matter of time before you get that first job offer for a full-stack development role.  

Entry-Level Full-Stack Developer Titles

As  you scan the list of job postings, keep an eye out for these roles –  all of which are common titles for beginning full-stack developers.  

• Full-Stack Developer
• Web Developer I  
• Junior Web Developer
• Programmer
• Software Engineer

There’s  often very little distinction between these titles, so be sure to read  the job description carefully and make sure it’s a good fit.  

Salary Of A Full-Stack Developer

As of July 2020, Indeed.com reports that the average annual salary for a full-stack developer is approximately $109,373. If  you’re applying to entry-level jobs, then your first role may be a  little less than that; but you can expect many years of increased  responsibility and salary growth.  

While you may eventually opt to specialize in either front-end or back-end programming,  excelling in an entry level full-stack development position will give  you great experience, and make your resume that much more appealing when  you reach for higher level roles.  

The First Step Toward an Entry-Level Full-Stack Development Job

You have to start somewhere, and fortunately when it comes to web development,  you’ll have plenty of great job opportunities along the way. When you start by learning front-end or a back-end programming, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and experience.  

Once you’ve done that, you can aim to become a full-stack developer, which will open up your career options even more and put you on track for leading an engineering team.  

There are a lot of languages and web development concepts that you need to know to become a full-stack developer. This profession is ideal for those who love to learn and are motivated to grow in their career.  

Like any worthwhile career, you’ll face challenges and frustrations along the way. But trust us: your dedication will pay off in the form of high salaries and great benefits.  

If you’d like to learn about our Software Engineering bootcamp to kickstart your career, our team is ready to answer any of your questions to lead you towards a fulfilling career in tech.  

FAQs:

Do full-stack developers earn more than other developers?