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Joe Dodd
Front End Web Development Techdegree Graduate 15,203 PointsFull Stack JavaScript vs Front End Development Techdegrees
Saw some other posts on this, but none specific enough to answer my questions.
I'm already enrolled in the FEWD Techdegree, which is awesome. But the more I've explored job postings for front end developers, the more I'm seeing postings requiring web application and back end experience and knowledge. Seems like there are far more opportunities for developers with back end and application experience.
So I'm wondering if I should switch the the Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree, or just stick with what I'm doing now. Does anyone know if there are prerequisites that I for FSJS Techdegree I should consider? I know I would have to start over, but it seems like there's better potential of finding a job with the skills I would learn with FSJS vs FEWD.
5 Answers
Thomas Duff
3,112 PointsFinding a job in FEWD isn't hard. Heck, if you are a DESIGNER as well as a FEWD, you can find jobs fairly easily. Unless it's included in the FEWD TD, I would go and learn some design here on Treehouse right now - will help you a lot. I think even the Treehouse founder/CEO said in one interview:
"Now we're focusing more on finding FEWDs that are also designers."
Joe Dodd
Front End Web Development Techdegree Graduate 15,203 PointsMaybe you're right. I could be selling the skills I'm learning with FEWD short. I think since I'm so far along with it, I'll stick with it and just do extra JS courses.
Also, I had planned to do the design courses on here too, because I love design, I just haven't spent a ton of time in Illustrator and such beyond designing a logo for myself once.
Ultimately, I'd love to work for an agency as a developer. The idea of doing different web projects for different clients sounds awesome.
Thomas Duff
3,112 PointsYou sound like an awesome and motivated person. I suggest doing extra JS courses, yes. Maybe do some more CSS/HTML courses as well (if there are any left) and do some projects yourself (design some sites and such). Get on those design courses! Awesome stuff for a FEWD.
You can go and do some FSJS development as well. It will certainly help your resume and land you better paying jobs/land you jobs easier. PHP? What about that? I've completed some PHP courses here and, next to Python, they're some of my favorites.
Dave McFarland
Treehouse TeacherJoe Dodd — it's a great question you bring up and an awesome conversation as well (thanks Thomas Duff and Justin Stark). I agree that knowing about backend technologies is very useful (even for a front end web developer). Fortunately you don't have to choose, since you have access to all of Treehouse's content as a Techdegree student. The Full Stack JavaScript Track has the courses you'd take in the Techdegree (just not the projects or same Slack team). I don't know where you live or your local job opportunities but front end web development is a strong job category in a lot of places.
On the other hand, if you really like backend technologies like databases, servers, building APIs, then the Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree may be a good idea for you. You can switch to it — you'll need to create all the projects in that Techdegree from the beginning — but there's a bit of overlap in courses, so you'll have completed some of the studies already. Before switching though, I'd complete project four in the Front End Techdegree — it's the first JavaScript project and it can be pretty challenging. That project will give you a good feel for JavaScript programming, and may help you decide which way to go.
Best of luck to you!
Joe Dodd
Front End Web Development Techdegree Graduate 15,203 PointsDave McFarland -- Thanks for the reply! I'm in Chattanooga, TN and we have a lot of tech coming to town, but I'm open to job opportunities just about anywhere in the country. I'm sticking with the FEWD Techdegree, but I plan to try and learn everything I can that seems pertinent to jobs I want to apply for.
Peter Javorkai
31,477 PointsI have the same kind of feeling as you mentioned Joe, how did this turn out in the end? Have you started the full stack JS degree as well later?
Joe Dodd
Front End Web Development Techdegree Graduate 15,203 PointsI stuck with the front end Techdegree and I'm glad for it. But I'm now going through the full stack track and React.
Peter Javorkai
31,477 PointsThanks Joe! I guess then I will do the same path then. :)
jrs0801
259 Pointsjrs0801
259 PointsI would go full stack for the reasons you mentioned. I'd also go through the PHP track on here as well. But do keep in mind that most stuff employers post that they want are just a wish list. In other other words if you don't know this or that, don't let that keep you from applying. Regardless as a developer you are always going to be learning.