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Laura Kyle
19,794 PointsJS Frameworks or Ruby - Best next steps? (job hunting)
Hey all!
I'm on the job hunt while continuing to learn full-time. I'm confident with JS/jQuery, Sass, HTML, CSS, Design, git. I started learning Ruby just to give myself a brain break from JavaScript, and I absolutely love it!
However now I'm at a complete loss. I really need to be focusing my time on skills that will make me more employable. Do I learn Angular and Node, or spend my time learning Ruby (and learn JS frameworks if an employer asks me to)?
It seems to me that employers will want JS frameworks before another language...But boy, Ruby sure is awesome!
2 Answers
Andrew Stelmach
12,583 PointsI'm not yet working professionally (trying to get a job!), but I share your love for Ruby - it is awesome! Have you tried Rails yet?
Most employers I've spoken to want you to be able to do Rails AND a front-end framework, so maybe you should learn Rails if you're already competent with a frontend Javascript-based framework?
Or maybe just learn Nodejs, because that serves frontend and backend, but then you won't be making love to Ruby.
jordans
1,609 PointsRuby on Rails is in high demand, at the moment. Especially, in the startup community. What I do notice is it seems you're taking the frontend route. It's very common for people jumping into the development world to pick one or the other. I'm not trying to say it's required, it's just a common trait I've seen.
With that in mind, Ruby, along with Python, PHP, and Perl are backend script. The JavaScript framework, Node.js, is an example of a lightweight backend language, as well.
In all honesty, if you're new to programming and not in too much of a hurry, I suggest you start learning anything you find interesting regarding computer development. You never know what you've missed until you feel as if it's too late to figure out what that is. Personally, I like both front and backend development and feel as if they've both benefited me, professionally speaking.
With the Rails framework, Ruby has been sought out like crazy these last few years. You wouldn't have any problem securing a job as a Rails developer.