How to Become a Full-Stack Developer in 6 Steps

When browsing a website or using an application on your laptop or phone, you may not think about the person behind the scenes making everything happen. Those people, also known as full-stack developers, allow you to browse, click and operate a website or application seamlessly.

What is a Full Stack Developer?

A full-stack developer is responsible for creating applications from start to finish in the coding world. They handle both the back-end and front-end of the application, meaning what code needs to run the application (back-end) and what you see on your screen (front-end). The front end is also referred to as the client-facing or customer-facing side. Think of the front end as the tip of an iceberg, and the back end is everything underneath the surface. 

As its name suggests, a full stack developer leverages full stack technologies, which refer to the entire depth of a computer application. To succeed, full-stack developers must have extensive knowledge and experience with code and programming languages. 

Full-stack developers are and will continue to be in high demand in the job market because of their specific, unique skills. The world is growing increasingly data-

How to Become a Full Stack Developer: 6 Steps

Becoming a full-stack developer might seem daunting, but it’s a relatively straightforward process. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to become a full-stack developer.

1. Identify Critical Skills

Before you dive into Googling “full stack developer jobs,” you’ll need to discover what specific skills you should learn to become a full stack developer. Some of the critical skills include:

• Knowledge of client-facing programming languages like HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.
• Understanding databases, servers and APIs
• The ability to refine proprietary software
• The ability to create graphical elements, design and user interface

Full-stack developers must understand what it takes to create a fully functional website or application involving many complex topics and concepts.

2. Determine a Learning Timeline

Once you identify which skills you need to learn, develop a learning timeline. Essentially, you’ll need to decide how much time you need to become familiar with programming, coding and all of the skills outlined in the previous section. 

There’s no set time you need to complete this learning experience. It will likely take at least a few months to understand the basics of full-stack development and even more time to get into the nitty-gritty details of the profession. Take your time while you learn, and understand that building your knowledge of full-stack development has no deadline.

3. Take Bootcamps, Online Courses or Attend College

One helpful tip to follow while on your full-stack development journey is to use all the resources at your disposal. Go online and look up full-stack development bootcamps, enroll in various online courses from coding or programming companies or consider going to college for computer science.

Earning a degree in computer science will likely give you the skills to find an entry-level software development job. Many companies offer certifications, too, to prove to employers that you have the chops to be a full-stack developer.

4. Build a Project Portfolio

After you learn many essential skills of full-stack development, you can start working on programming projects. Participating in projects is one of the best ways to apply your learning and become more proficient in web development. 

Once you complete a handful of projects, make a professional development portfolio. This is a critical step if you’re looking to pursue a career in full-stack development. It shows potential employers what you can do for their organization. 

5. Gain Internship Experience

Another way to gain more experience in full-stack development is to apply for and participate in unpaid or unpaid internships in addition to apprenticeship programs. 

There are thousands of full-stack development internships you can apply for online on popular platforms such as Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn and Edureka.

6. Apply to Jobs and Ace the Interview

Once you feel comfortable with your knowledge and skills, it’s time to apply to full-stack developer jobs and cross your fingers that you’ll get an interview. If the job market is tight, landing an interview might take time and multiple applications. However, as mentioned above, full-stack developers are in high demand, so it might be a simple process for you.

Pursue Full Stack Developer Jobs

If you’re interested in coding, programming or web and application development, consider learning the skills needed to become a full-stack developer. These professionals manage the front-end and back-end development of websites and applications and play a critical role in today’s digitally driven business landscape. Follow the six-step guide above to help you land your dream job!