Today, the world is powered by the internet. The internet is built up of millions of websites, maybe more. It is estimated that there are about 1.5 billion websites on the internet today. While most of these are not active, it still depicts the magnitude of the World Wide Web today. Behind every website there is a team which handles various aspects. Each one of these people come together to make sure that the users can perform the respective function with ease. With the numbers only predicted to swell, it is only fair that we dig into the intricacies of web development and how a career in this field can help individuals pursue strong futures.
The Prospects of Web Development
Web development is by far the fastest growing field in terms of employment numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage growth in web development is more than that of all other sectors combined. The reason for this is simply the pace at which the digital world is growing. Hundreds and thousands of websites and mobile applications are being developed and launched every day. Moreover, the trend shows no signs of stopping at all. These indicators have led experts to believe that web development has a healthy future and a job in this field can become a sustainable growth platform for those who continue to upgrade with time.
The Types of Programs Available
Considering the demand for web development professionals, a lot of different programs have been launched to cater to the need of individuals. These programs vary in terms of duration, courses being taught and breadth of experience which they offer. Students and professionals can choose to enroll in certificate courses, associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees and online web developer bootcamp. There are other avenues too being offered by various institutions. They final choice comes down to what a person’s goals are, how much time they have and other relevant factors.
Web Development Careers
Web development is an extremely diverse field. The career choices are endless and as the internet evolves, more and more are being created every day. There is a professional or entry level position to look after almost every aspect of web development. This can include user experience designer, mobile application developer, web administrator, information architect, database developer, full-stack, front-end and back-end developers, software developer, ecommerce analyst and computer programmers etc. With a degree in web development, there are several relevant careers which a person can pursue. These include system administrators and network architects etc.
What are bootcamps?
A bootcamp refers to any short and intensive training campaign which allows the people participating to ready for a task in a short span of time. The activities within the boot camp are designed to impart the essence of all crucial things which will be required by participant in the field which they are pursuing. The term was originally coined for military trainings but then it began to expand. Sports bootcamps and now educational bootcamps are conducted around the globe. With the aim of allowing potential experts and beginning students to acquire the correct mix of necessary skills, boot camps are being set up by several reputable organizations.
Benefits of bootcamps
Bootcamps are short. They last only about four to six months. The schedules for educational bootcamps are flexible with respect to the professionals willing to attend them. Most importantly, a bootcamp will bring together some of the most experienced industry experts to teach students only the most important skills. For a web development bootcamp, students require knowledge of programming languages and web design and as well as testing etc. Depending on the specialization which a student selects, a panel of professionals handpicks those courses which will be vital for them to acquire an overview of the skills they want to learn. These include everything from the basics to more in-depth knowledge about the specifics.
10 Components to look for in a Strong Web Development Program
Bootcamps are a great source for becoming proficient in web development in a short time. However, the most important aspect in the whole process is to make sure that you select a bootcamp which provides the most efficient learning experience. How to do that? There are a few elements which form the foundations of a strong web development program. Candidates can research and easily find out whether a course offers these things and to what extent do they stay true to their word. Here are ten components to look for in a solid web development program:
i. Careful combination of essential skills
Before even beginning to look for the respective programs, a potential student must make up his mind on what field they want to pursue. Is it front-end, back-end, full-stack or mobile app development which they want to learn? There are tens of fields within web development which an individual can choose from. Once they have selected the field, they must then look for the skills which are a requirement in that field. For instance, learning to code means that a person should have knowledge of programming languages which are currently in use. Next, they must cross-check whether a course is offering these skills or not. An effective program is one that offers a calculated blend of all the necessary skills.
ii. Caters to your preferred learning approach
Every person is different, their preferred learning methods are different and the way they understand concepts varies too. A strong web development program is one that takes this into account. There are bootcamps and programs out there which offer online classes based on learning through real-life scenarios, examples, and case studies. If this is not the approach a student is looking for and they are more comfortable with lecture-based studies, they should opt for a program which does just that. An ideal program should preferably take the needs and preferences of every student into account.
iii. Provides experiential learning
Information technology in general and web development are not fields where a person can learn everything while being taught through presentations and literature only. There is not much learning which comes through this teaching method. The hallmark of a robust web development program is that they offer real-world projects, simulations, lab-work and practical assignments among numerous others. This is what helps students get atone with how to deal with situations in the professional world. It provides a glimpse to them about all the things which they are going to deal with like project management, handling crisis scenarios and fixing bugs at various stages of development.
iv. Strong and experienced instructors
An instructor is not just a teacher but a leading light. They are sources of inspiration at times and bearers of great knowledge. An experienced teacher is one who is preferably working in the field now because this means that they know about the recent developments happening in the arena of web development. The past portfolio of an instructor matters a lot too because this means that they know how to tackle a broad range of issues and tasks. Experienced teachers are therefore an imperative part of a good web development program. They can get students up to sync with everything which might be happening the area they are about to enter.
v. Mentorship sessions
Sometimes even when a class is over, there are ambiguities in the minds of some students. It might be because they didn’t get a chance to ask the teacher about the problem they were facing or because the issue was not relevant to what was being taught in class. One-on-one mentorship sessions are designed to take care of such cases. A web development program which has high ratings from students is usually one where these sessions are conducted at least once a week. Students can go up to their teachers and other experienced professionals to help understand concepts more clearly and to make their mind up about which direction to take their careers in. This makes for renewed interest in the program for students. It also helps teachers understand the strengths and weaknesses of the pupil. They can use this information to tailor lesson plans more closely.
vi. Assistance from on-boarding to job placement
A student in every phase of their life require assistance in making decisions. Strong web development programs make sure that they have counsellors available to assist these individuals in every phase of their journey through the bootcamp. These instructors provide comprehensive information in the beginning about anything the student may be confused about. The format of classes, the skills which will be taught, the extent to which they will be covered and a lot more besides. Furthermore, when the program is over, the bootcamp also provides an assurance in job placement. They use the resources at their disposal to create avenues for their students to gain and settle in new places. vii. Payment options and scholarships Much like university programs, bootcamps and other courses, which are reputable and strong, provide a lot of payment options and scholarships. The applications for the latter are received and reviewed by a panel of members and deserving students are awarded scholarships based on merit. For those looking for other types of leniencies, there are payment options where students can pay in instalments ranging from six to eighteen months. These options can also be customized according to the need of each student.
viii. Flexible schedules
This is considered one of the most significant components of a web development program which is great. Students usually opt for shorter courses because it helps them progress or switch fields without having to lose their current job or any other project which they might be pursuing. Flexible class timings are a blessing in this regard. The schedules in a good web development bootcamp are set based on the student’s availability. Most classes are online so students can log in anytime and catch up with their classes. This is great because it allows working professionals to continue their current career path while they gain a new skill. It’s a win-win.
ix. Duly recognized
A bootcamp which is credible is recognized by a high-ranking university. There are several institutions in the US which have initiated their own bootcamps. These are the ones which are the strongest because the certification they provide has weightage. This is based on the backing university. Recognition of the program is imperative because without that, the professional world doesn’t acknowledge your practice and learning. The money and time you have spent can quickly turn into a waste because you didn’t verify the accreditation of the program which you were pursuing.
x. Provides proper certification
Without a document certifying that a student has completed the program in question, there is not authority which will recognize those skills. Although it might just be a piece of paper but the value it holds is quite high. It is the stepping stone for professionals to be called for interview in a company. When an individual reaches the room, after that it all comes down to what they’ve learned at while they were part of the program. This is when the certificate loses importance but before that, it is the ticket. Make sure that the program which a student opts for provides a credible certificate stating that the course of study has been completed. A strong web development program, be it a degree, course or bootcamp must judge on certain parameters before it is given the green light. As a student, you are placing a lot of trust, time and money into the course, it is only fair that you should perform thorough research before making a choice. The wrong one can leave you filled with regret. The growing field that web development is now, this is the opportune moment to change up and get the necessary qualifications which are increasingly becoming relevant in the market. A customized program like a bootcamp is your best option.