Unlock Your Future: Why Web Development Is the Ultimate Career Choice Today
Explore the dynamic world of web development—an exciting, high-demand, and well-paid career path. Discover where to gain the essential skills to thrive in the IT industry.
The internet connects nearly 3.5 billion users and hosts over a billion websites worldwide. The rapid advancement of information technology has given rise to careers unimaginable a decade ago. Among the most sought-after and lucrative IT professions today is web development.
The Growing Shortage of Web Developers
Globally, there are more than 11 million web developers of various specialties and skill levels. However, according to CMS Magazine and the "Runet Rating," 62% of companies and web studios report a critical shortage of qualified professionals. Here is how they responded regarding staff shortages in web development.
Currently, only a quarter of web studios are satisfied with their number of in-house developers. So, why is there still a shortage despite the large number of programmers?
Several factors contribute:
- 15.9% of employers believe candidates’ education does not meet market requirements (lack of a solid portfolio and team collaboration experience).
- 15% of companies think there are generally too few qualified web developers capable of handling complex projects, especially in regional areas.
- 7.3% note that many web developers prefer freelancing over full-time employment.
- 6.3% of web studios report mismatched salary expectations between candidates and employers.
In essence, highly skilled developers who understand the entire web project lifecycle and can demonstrate their abilities are rare. Those available are often recruited by large studios or choose freelancing, where earnings can surpass fixed salaries at smaller firms.
Consider this chart from the "Runet Rating."
Freelance developers hold a significant share in high-budget projects, securing 6% of projects valued between $1,300 and $4,000 and 8.3% of projects exceeding $4,000.
Demand for Web Developers
The demand for web developers is evident on any online job platform.
In major cities, there are nearly 1,500 vacancies for web developers. Competition among IT companies and web studios for talented developers is fierce.
Recruitment methods include: 28.4% via job portals, 21.4% through social media and referrals, 16.2% using their own websites’ job sections, and 12.7% scouting talented students through internships, competitions, and academic achievements.
The last method is challenging since academic programs often lag behind the fast-evolving tech industry.
Most graduates have a very low level of preparation. It’s not just that programming graduates often can’t code well; the real issue is their weak systemic thinking.
Vladimir Zavertaylov
Founder and CEO of Siberix Internet Studio
Therefore, becoming a sought-after web developer doesn’t rely on diplomas but on actual knowledge and skills.
Essential Qualifications
Employers typically expect web developers to be full-stack specialists.
Full-stack development combines front-end and back-end skills. Front-end developers build the visible part of websites, while back-end developers handle the server-side logic and databases. Regardless of specialization, understanding the full project lifecycle is crucial to integrate your work seamlessly.
Today, a standard full-stack web developer skill set includes:
Markup languages + client-side programming + server-side programming + database management + frameworks.
These skills can be acquired at platforms like GeekBrains, which offers comprehensive programming courses. Their "Web Developer" specialization spans 11 months plus an internship and includes:
- HTML / CSS: Fundamentals of website creation through hands-on projects like building an e-commerce site.
- JavaScript Levels 1 & 2: Bringing websites to life with interactive features responding to user actions.
- Database Basics: Intensive lessons on data storage and SQL querying.
- PHP Levels 1 & 2: Learning object-oriented programming and mastering one of the most popular server-side languages.
- HTML5 and CSS3: Creating and editing static websites and advertising pages.
- AngularJS / D3.js: Working with powerful frameworks for single-page applications and data visualization.
- Yii Framework: Developing advanced PHP applications, including projects similar to Evernote and calendar apps for portfolios.
A two-month internship at GeekBrains allows students to build a full project from idea to deployment while collaborating with a team. Opportunities for paid internships and employment with partner companies or startup collaborations also exist.
The Rewards
Finally, the financial benefits are compelling. As mentioned earlier, full-stack web developers are not only in high demand but also well compensated.
According to Tagline agency data, web developers earn on average 1.8 times more than the average national salary.
The average salary for web developers is around $800 monthly nationwide, $1,000 in major cities, and $620 in regional areas.
This profession offers limitless career growth. With dedication and successful project delivery, one can advance to IT department head or even IT director. Many developers also choose freelancing for independence and higher income. Moreover, web development is a solid foundation for launching your own online business.
Ready to start your journey as a web developer? The digital world awaits your skills and creativity!
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