How to become a Full Stack Developer

Becoming a Full Stack Developer Overview

In this post you're going to learn how to become a Full Stack Developer.

It doesn't matter whether you have a coding background or you're a newbie to learning to code. This guide also includes lots of:

• Learning frameworks
• Emerging trends
• Must-read resources
• Lots more

So, if you want to go from developer rookie to developer pro, this guide is for you.

Let's dive right in.

Full Stack Developers are in demand. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, employment of web developers – including Full Stack Developers – is predicted to grow 15% from 2016 to 2024, a considerably higher projection than most other professions.

This demand is driven in part by the rise of mobile devices, the app economy, and ecommerce. A quick study of well-known job boards delivers further proof of this trend, with many listing thousands of Full Stack Developer jobs.

Full Stack Developer Salary

According to the most recent data available -- culled from our 2020 Technology & Engineering Salary Guide -- the median base salary for Fullstack Developers with low experience is $80,016. Developers with average experience earn $95,256, and those with high experience can expect to earn $113,116.

Full Stack Developers are responsible for all aspects of development from the front end to back end, as well as possessing strong knowledge of development steps from concept to finished product.

If you'd like more information on developer jobs or IT salary data, we've got resources for you.

Ready to learn more?

What is a Full Stack Developer?

Maybe you're thinking, “what is a full stack developer?" or “what exactly does a full stack developer do?"

In a nutshell, a full stack developer is a programmer with knowledge of all the layers needed to build an application. Programmers use a different technology to complete each layer when they build an application which is often referred to as a “stack" -- hence developers who can build each layer involved in the app development process being referred to as “full-stack" developers.

When we talk about full stack developers we're referring to IT professionals who can work with front-end, back-end, and databases. Full stack can refer to a web stack, mobile stack, or a native application stack, a software program for a specific device for example. Because these developers have a strong command over multiple programming languages and are skilled with different frameworks, they are in high demand across industries.

After reviewing current Full Stack Developer job descriptions, here are a few examples of popular roles and responsibilities of a Full Stack Developer:

• Proficiency with fundamental front-end languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Familiarity with JavaScript frameworks such as Angular JS, React and Amber
• Proficiency with server-side languages such as Python, Ruby, Java, PHP and .Net
• Experienced in delivering projects in Agile/scrum methodology
• Familiarity with database technology such as MySQL, Oracle and MongoDB
• Experience in Bootstrap compatibility Object-Oriented Design Web Services (REST/SOAP) Web Services (Restful/Any web services). Consumption experience is fine.
• CI / CD knowledge and tools like github gradle / maven sonarqube.
• Expert in HTML5, CSS3
• Good communication skills
• Python/Django expertise
• Knowledge on API-Driven web pages

One of the key aspects of the full stack developer role, and perhaps the most challenging, is developing and maintaining a versatile and diverse set of web developer skills. Here are some examples of the skills required to be a successful full stack developer:

• Concentration -- An important part of the job is sitting at a computer and writing code for websites and web apps. Because most web developers work full time, you'll have to focus for long periods of time.
• Creativity -- Since full stack developers are responsible for the development of the application from concept to finished product, you'll need to bring imaginative and innovative solutions to bear during the development process.
• Detail-oriented -- Because a miniscule error during development can cause an app not to function, you'll have to possess a sharp eye for detail.
• Communication -- You'll have to collaborate with a team to plan and develop new features and possibly manage other developers so having a positive attitude and top-notch written and verbal communication skills will go a long way..
• Continuously learning -- Staying on top of constantly evolving trends. learning programming languages, and new developer tools will require you to stay up-to-date with software, industry knowledge, and business preferences.

A Full Stack Developer can work in many different environments. This includes working in-house, remotely, or in an agency role. Modis has a track record of matching candidates with positions they find challenging and rewarding.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor data shows that, “About 1 in 6 web developers worked in the computer systems design and related services industry in 2016. About 1 in 6 were self-employed. Others worked in industries including publishing, management consulting, and advertising."

A career in web development offers job seekers high demand, job security, and top salaries.

Now, you're probably wondering how to become a Full Stack Developer. The answer is simple. You'll need to develop the required technical skills and you'll also need to prepare for and find someone to hire you as a developer.

Requirements and Qualifications to Help You Land a Full-Stack Development Job

The education and training requirements for Full Stack Developer jobs will vary due to factors such as employer, specific role and industry. Some positions will require a relevant BA/BS degree, while others will be more concerned with your experience.

What should a Full Stack Developer know? If you're ready to learn full stack web development, start by learning some essentials—HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language developers use to make web pages. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is the language used to present documents created with HTML. Both languages are indispensable to being a Full Stack Developer.

JavaScript (JS) is a programming language that determines the function of a web page. You'll also want to get familiar with libraries like jQuery, a collection of plugins and extensions that make it faster and easier to use JS on your website.

There are tons of tutorials available which will teach you Javascript, HTML, and CSS.

You can also access multiple training sources, and put all the pieces together. For example, codecademy.com, freecodecamp.com, and MDN.com (Mozilla Developer Network), are all excellent resources. You can learn from books, online courses, or coding bootcamps. Many working developers recommend working on real world exercise and projects to gain experience. For example, you can easily locate and participate in a hackathon.

Self Development, Networking, and Interviewing to Get Your Dream Job

Are you ready to secure your dream Full Stack Developer role? Here are some steps you can take to see to make sure you're putting your best foot forward.

1. Prepare to crack the coding interview-- The coding test is an important component of the Full Stack Developer interview. Most employers will want to assess your knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You'll likely take an online test where you're asked to solve common HTML/CSS and JavaScript coding problems. You can complete practice tests online before your interview.
2. Work on some projects to build up your Full Stack Developer portfolio -- Don't just study web development. Find a way to roll up your sleeves and build something -- even if it's just a simple web app -- and put it on your resume. This will be the foundation of your Full Stack Developer portfolio.
3. Prepare for a Full Stack Developer interview -- To help you ace your job interviews we've included some sample interview questions. Here are some examples of potential Full Stack Developer interview questions:

• What excites you about coding?
• List five ways you would optimize a website to be as efficient and scalable as possible.
• Tell me about a time you solved an issue with front-end security.
• What is your preferred development environment?
• What resources do you use to learn about the latest in front end development and design?
• How would you prevent a bot from scraping your publicly accessible API?
• Explain the purpose of clearing floats in CSS
• What is Inversion of Control?
• How would you approach fixing browser-specific rendering issues?
• How do you organize your code?
• Tell me about a time you've struggled to implement or debug something at each part of the stack.
• Provide an example of when you found an inefficiency in someone else's code, and how you addressed it.
• Share an example of a web application you've built and what technologies you used to build it. What considerations did you make when deciding on the tech stack to use?
• What's your favorite language, and why?

These are just a few questions to help you understand what potential employers are looking for as they evaluate candidates.

The Toolkit of a Full-Stack Developer

So, what are some commonly used full stack developer tools? Here's a list of the most popular frameworks, libraries, and tools for full stack developers:

• Node.js
• Angular
• React
• NET Core
• Spring
• Django
• TensorFlow
• Xamarin
• Spark
• Hadoop
• Torch/PyTorch
• Cordova

Conclusion

After reading this guide, you've now learned:

• Why the Full Stack Developer role is a great opportunity and why it's such an in-demand position
• What a Full Stack Developer is and some of their core job functions
• What experience you need in order to qualify for a Full Stack Developer role
• Steps you can take toward getting ready for finding a job as a Full Stack Developer.

If what you've learned sounds exciting, take the first step towards landing your dream job today.

Top employers are looking for Full Stack Developers right now. Explore our Full Stack Developer opportunities and partner with a Modis recruiter to advance your career and start your journey towards becoming a Full Stack Developer.