Do You Need a Degree for Web Development or Simply a Bootcamp?
It has been called one of the best jobs in the technology sector by U.S. News & World Report. In the decade between 2016 and 2026, employment in the area is expected to grow by 15 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
It is the job of web developer. It could be a good fit for you if you have a creative mind, an eye for design and the knowledge, and skills it takes to conceptualize and create websites.
Ever since the first website was created by Tim Bernenrs-Lee about 30 years ago, companies, schools, non-profit organizations, and eventually even individuals have been looking for the best ways to make their websites appealing to the masses--and they've been turning to web developers to do it.
As technology, websites and users have become more sophisticated, so too has the job of the web developer. Today's web developers do more than simply create websites. They are strategists who help drive traffic, convert prospects into customers, and help businesses achieve their goals.
But do you need to have a college degree, or will one of these two-month, online boot camps be enough to help launch your career as a web developer?
The short answer is that you can't go wrong with a college degree. Here's why:
Technical support
JavaScript. jQuery. HTML5. PHP. JAVA.
If you don't know what these mean, you're probably going to need some technical support (which is what you'll get in a degree program).
The world of web development changes fast, and it's nice to be able to have access to a professional instructor who can help make sure you are gaining a thorough understanding of the tools you'll use to write, design, and edit web page content.
Without immediate access to high-quality technical support (from your instructors), you just might find that learning all these new languages could be overwhelming.
Interpersonal communication
While it's true that web developers spend a lot of their time writing code to create websites, it is also true that the job requires a significant amount of collaboration with colleagues.
On any given day, you might find yourself working closely with department heads, marketing professionals, sales teams, graphic designers, or even CEOs. Your job will be to figure out what they want the website to accomplish (educate, inform, engage, sell, etc.), conceptualize a website that can achieve the goals -- and then build it.
In other words, interpersonal communication and the ability to successfully collaborate with others to achieve success is important in the world of web development.
Studying in an environment where you are working closely with your classmates and instructors can help you develop interpersonal communication skills. That's something you can't get sitting on your couch slogging your way through an online boot camp program.
Real-world experience
Here's the thing about becoming a web developer that not a lot of people know: Real-world experience matters--and it matters a lot.
You're going to need to build a portfolio so that prospective employers can see that you have the skills, knowledge and experience to get the job done. You're going to need to understand what's going on in the industry so you can understand trends, emerging topics of interest and what your interviewers are likely to be talking about.
You're going to want to gain real-world experience working with all the new skills and tools of the trade (such as CSS preprocessors, frameworks, and Content Management Systems).
You should get to do all of this: from building a portfolio to studying the latest trends to keeping up with industry news to using the latest tools -- at a university.
Connections
While the world of web development still tends to value what you know over who you know, it certainly can't hurt to have a network of professionals on which to call when you're trying to land that first interview.
While working on your degree, you'll have instructors with real-world experience and vast networks of people working in the field. You could also build connections with classmates, who may become important contacts. Not to mention, you might meet alumni, who could play a critical role in helping you land that first job.
Ready to get started?
If you want to go beyond a basic coding class, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Software Development - Web Design and Development Track could be just what you need. ECPI University offers this course at an accelerated rate. For more information on this exciting degree, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Web Development & Design Track - Bachelor’s
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