With the Internet still expanding at exceedingly fast rates, many people are curious exactly how they can get a job creating websites for today’s businesses or even families. Though it’s possible to become a self-taught website designer and developer, today’s more advanced programming languages and the proliferation of mobile devices often prompt aspiring developers to seek higher education in the field. This, combined with work experience and a portfolio, is the best way to land a job in this growing field and enjoy competitive salaries, benefits, and unique clients, which will grow over time.
Start with a Degree in Web Design or Web Development
In a bygone era, all websites used only the most basic HTML code in order to present their content and design to users. That time has long passed, and today’s sites use a combination of advanced languages like PHP, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Ruby on Rails, ASP, and much more. This is simply too daunting a task for the self-taught designer, and proper instruction in each language often requires the structure of college programs. Both two-year and four-year degrees in web design are offered at today’s community colleges and large universities, and students are free to choose the program that works best for their budget, professional goals, and sense of urgency to begin their professional career in design.
Seek Internships and Freelance Web Development Opportunities
One of the biggest benefits of collegiate programs in web development is their ability to land students in excellent internships that give them industry connections, work experience, and a great set of skills. Alongside the numerous programming languages and ethical considerations taught during on-campus coursework, these internships are the best learning experience for aspiring designers and web developers. Internships also often turn into part-time or full-time jobs after the internship itself has concluded. For maximum chances at a long-term career in the industry, the combination of a college degree and at least one internship simply cannot be beat.
Another great way to gain valuable work experience in web development is to use sites like eLance. Online freelance portals allow designers to bid for freelance design work that can become an immediate part of their portfolio, giving them both the academic skills and the demonstrated experience to land new clients, land an entry-level job, or advance within an existing career in the web development industry. Work experience, whether through internships or freelancing, is the single biggest differentiator when seeking jobs and clients in the growing world of web design and development.
Look Specifically for Web Development Jobs at Local Companies
Instead of using online job banks and databases, opt instead for the career portal found on most companies’ websites. This is the best way to hear about new job opportunities, before they’re released to temp agencies, online job boards, or freelancers. Better yet, the combination of local internship experience, a two-year or four-year degree, and a portfolio full of freelance work, will help developers outpace their competition for job openings and start advancing a bit more quickly through the ranks. With a few years of work, developers will likely be overseeing larger projects and committing to more advanced tasks in the company.
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Education and Experience are the Keys to Web Development Jobs
As with so many modern occupations, those who wish to land an entry-level job in a growing field should bring both education and experience to the table. The best way to do this is to seek higher education, pursue at least one internship, and leverage new skills in a freelance capacity while looking for full-time work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the combination of these efforts will certainly help developers get a job creating websites.
