I'm currently in the process of transitioning into a career in web development and could really use some guidance from those who’ve been down this path.
So far, I’ve been studying on my own and am working through Codecademy and Boot.Dev and I'm focused on back-end development. The more I learn, the more excited I get about creating things for the web — but I also realize how much more there is to learn beyond tutorials.
I’d really appreciate any suggestions on:
- Great communities (online or local) where beginners can connect and learn
- How to find a mentor (or be “mentor-ready”)
- Ways to get real-world experience or contribute to open-source
- Anything you wish you'd known earlier in your journey
If you’ve made a similar transition, I’d love to hear about your path. And if you’re open to chatting or sharing resources, I’d be extremely grateful.
Thanks so much in advance — looking forward to connecting
Top comments (2)
Good Morning Kevin,
This was super insightful, I really appreciate you taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed response. You’ve given me a lot to explore.
I’ve been focusing primarily on Python, so Django sounds like a great fit for me to dig into as my first framework. I also completely agree on the importance of SQL and will make sure to strengthen that skill early on.
Thanks for pointing me toward CS50 as well — even if it’s not directly “day-to-day” web development, having that bigger picture and mental map will be incredibly valuable over the long term. And as someone who loves reading, I’m excited to check out PacktPub for some solid book recommendations.
Your breakdown of the various frameworks is especially helpful, I feel like I now have a clear shortlist to explore and compare before committing.
Really appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. This will definitely help guide my next steps. Thank you.