Employers want to see that you’ve been-there, done-that with web development. However, most people dive into this journey by having their hand held through an online course.
When it comes time to actually create something of their own, their head draws a blank, their keyboard stay silent, and they begin to wonder what those courses even taught.
I’m going to show you which projects will not only get you a job, but teach you how to do web development in the first place.
Why listen to me?
I had to claw my way into this field. I didn't have a computer science degree, so instead of getting interviews the easy way, I built projects to show I had what it takes. These projects took me to Silicon Valley and San Francisco's tech scene, starting from very little and eventually reaching Senior.
Since that time, I’ve mentored people into getting their first job in web development using the exact same path I took. The ones who made it did so while holding down full-time jobs or whose background topped out at "pizza delivery driver".
I had them build projects that got them interviews. Not a degree, not some certificate from LinkedIn, and not even a fancy portfolio website. Just building projects.
So which projects get you the job?
That’s a trick question. If you’re asking it, I need to walk you through a mindset shift: projects are the main way you should be learning. It’s not just about showing off your skills, it’s also about building your skills up in the first place.
Think of things this way: the projects you take on should guide you through the learning process.
Your first project or two won’t be some super impressive AirBnB clone or fully-featured social network. They will, however, teach you the fundamentals necessary to build such projects.
Once built, you move on to the harder projects.
Here’s a better question to ask:
What kind of projects turn you into a web developer?
Much better. For this, we start small and work our way up.
Once you’re familiar with (not an expert in!) HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you need a project that covers following:
- Building a UI that will call an API
- Building a server to provide an API for this UI
- Building a database for your server
- Deploying it all on Heroku or AWS
That’s it for your first project. Then:
- Repeat the process with a frontend framework
- Repeat again, but with user authentication
- Repeat again, but for real-world usage through friends or freelancing
No one is ever fully “ready” for building a project when starting out. You're going to hit a number of walls. Thing is, if you don't hit a wall at least a few times a day, you're playing it too safe.
Venture out, Google what you don't know, and don't judge your coding abilities until you've actually built a few projects.
Once you’ve worked all the way up to building a real-world app with authentication on a tech stack that companies hire for, you’ve proven to the world that you’re a web developer. Employers will interview you with the right 4 projects under your belt. The plan is simple, but the process is hard.
So where do I learn how to do this?
I mean it: dive right into making a project. Now. Get confused along the way? Google, Google, Google.
These resources are helpful as well:
- The Odin Project has a wonderful foundations overview if JavaScript, HTML, or CSS syntax is an issue.
- Udemy has courses on sale for ~$14, find the highest-rated ones that cover your current needs. Use Google to fill in the holes.
- YouTube has highly-rated, highly-watched videos that cover building servers or databases or whatever you’re stuck on. Just be sure to only take them because you’ve hit a wall while coding your project.
- If you're stuck on syntax, javascript.info typically has a thorough explanation for you
- Seriously, Google. 7 years in and Google is my most-used tool
Heads up: there’s no one way to write code either, so code until it works. You’ll learn how to clean things up later.
Don't want to do this alone?
I’ve set up a free Discord group for this process. I take my members through a series of challenges that guides you through each of these topics. I also live stream weekly Q&A sessions on Twitch to help along the way. Join the Discord here to get started
Have any questions about becoming a developer? Really, what else is there to know? Jump into building a project. Hop on that live stream if you have deeper questions.
But wait, what are some good project ideas?
The important part here is covering the topics lightly at first and more thoroughly the next time around. Here are some examples:
1st project:
Go through each of these challenges to build a UI from scratch, build a server, and connect it to a database
Try out a simple, non-realtime chat app with anonymous users (as in, no login)
2nd project:
Rebuild the UI for the prior project in React
Build an app that can store and search through your favorite movies, restaurants, or music
3rd project:
Create a message board with user login
AirBnB for X. Get silly, like AirBnB for yachts or space ships or puppies. Focus as much energy on the user experience for uploading space ships as you do searching for space ships.
4th project:
Message board for your friends
Trip planner for groups (and plan a real trip with it!)
Have a job? Find out if you can build a project to help your team.
Your real-world project will set you apart from others in your job search. It’ll also be your hardest project. The real world is difficult.
Building projects is difficult in general--you don’t have to do it alone. Find a group or reach out if you need some help. Good luck!
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