The demand for highly qualified web developers continues to rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23% increase in the overall employment for web developers from 2021 to 2031, with more than 20,000 vacancies to fill each year.
Web development is an excellent career for technical professionals who enjoy analyzing and learning new things. Many aspiring web developers often begin their careers by obtaining an associate or bachelor's degree in web development, computer science, or a related field. Others prefer to enroll in online web development courses or certificate programs.
In this article, we’ll explore how to get a web developer job without having a college degree, the advantages of learning online, and more.
Do You Need a Degree to Be a Web Developer?
No, you don’t need a degree to become an accomplished web developer. There are so many options to learn web development without paying a fortune for college. Moreover, employers are typically more interested in your ability to code and build websites than your educational background.Education Requirements for Web Developer Jobs
The education requirements for web developers vary by employer and may range from a high school diploma to a college degree. An associate degree or an official certificate indicating you have the necessary web developer skills can be a great way to break into the industry. Other companies prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as web development, web design, or software development.Many employers want candidates to be proficient in at least one high-level web development language, such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. It is also crucial that you stay updated on new tools and computer languages throughout your web development career.
Why Many Web Developers Do Not Pursue a Degree
Becoming a web developer without a degree in computer science—or any degree, for that matter—is easier than you may imagine. Here are a few of the reasons many web developers do not bother earning a degree:- You can learn online the skill sets you need to work as a web developer without having to obtain a formal education.
- With many organizations struggling to find qualified candidates for developer positions, employers have little choice but to embrace skills-based hiring.
- Higher education is also struggling to keep up with the rapid rate of innovation in web and software development.
- The technology industry is rife with success stories of CEOs who skipped college, including Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg.
- According to a recent poll, nearly 80% of respondents under 25 rely on online resources to learn to code. While older respondents learn from traditional mediums like books and school, younger respondents learn from virtual programs, forums, and other online resources.
Keep in mind that, in the absence of a formal degree, your skills as a web developer must speak for themselves. To be successful, you will need to master web development and several programming languages at your own pace, without the guidance of a professor.
How to Get a Web Developer Job without Having a Degree
If you’re considering a career in web development but lack the time, money, or resources to go to college, don’t worry. Here are a few learning options for becoming a web developer without a degree:1. Enroll in boot camps or online courses.
You can find plenty of web development boot camps, certification programs, and online courses on the Internet. Depending on the career path you choose, you can take courses on front- or back-end programming languages, no-code app development, web design, and more.Online learning platforms like WeLoveNoCode Academy, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare offer online courses and video tutorials taught by web development experts. They also provide opportunities to apply what you learn through practice, a step-by-step guide to building a website, and certification after completing a course.
2. Develop your skills by building websites and applications.
Once you've mastered the fundamentals of web development, it's time to test your knowledge and skills by working on projects, ranging from a simple website to a more complex web application. These projects will not only give you the hands-on experience you need, but they also help build your portfolio.Furthermore, many employers looking for in-house or outsourced developers do not mind whether you studied web development at a university or took an online course. All they really want to know is if you can competently build beautiful websites.
3. Make a portfolio of web development projects.
Begin with relatively simple projects to familiarize yourself with the basics of web development. Your projects will advance along with your web development skills. As you continue to develop websites and apps of increasing complexity, you get to build your portfolio and open up more career opportunities.Potential employers will want to see samples of successful site and application builds. Showcase your finest work and demonstrate your expertise in various skills and technologies.
4. Build a network of developers, tech professionals, and recruiters.
Networking is essential for anybody wanting to break into the web development industry. It is more than simply discovering employment prospects—it can also be a fantastic source of support, mentorship, and knowledge sharing for new and seasoned developers.Attend web development meetups to stay current, connect with tech recruiters looking for web developers, and join a community with like-minded developers.
5. Invest time in continuing education.
Because the world of web development is always evolving, it is critical for web professionals to never stop learning. It is possible to achieve success as a self-taught web developer, but you must supplement your web developer training with ongoing upskilling initiatives. Keep on improving your knowledge of programming languages and building your technical and soft skills.Keep up with the latest trends and technology to stay ahead of the competition. Learn from the web development experts around you, and don't be afraid to try new things. The more experience you have, the greater your chances of securing a job as a web developer.
Final Thoughts
A career in web development can be incredibly rewarding, both mentally and financially. It's a career that gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility and one you can do from anywhere in the world.Since there is no specific degree or educational path for professions in web development, you can become a web developer even without any formal education. If you're passionate about web development and prepared to put in the effort, there's no reason why you can't excel in this industry.
At WeLoveNoCode, we’ll help you land the best-paying, long-term remote web developer jobs at some of the world’s biggest companies and leading startups.
Join WeLoveNoCode today, boost your skills and portfolio with our no-code guides, tools, and platforms, and grow alongside other no-code developers from around the globe.
