Hey everyone! I've been working as a front-end developer for over seven years now, but I need some advice on consolidating my knowledge. I don't have formal training and my background is actually in art. I started my career doing web design and gradually moved into front-end frameworks like Vue and React, but I often feel like I'm lacking the fundamentals. While I can handle the tasks I'm assigned and have a decent grasp of accessibility, I struggle with understanding architectural patterns, back-end development, and my CI/CD skills are pretty minimal. I don't spend much time developing my skills outside of work, but I worry that if I were to look for a new job, I'd need some training. Should I start with a course like CS50, or is there another program you'd recommend?
5 Answers
Getting an internship at a larger company could be a great option if you’re open to it, but I understand the concern about salary. There are other ways to expand your skills without going back to school.
You should definitely start building projects from the ground up! I felt the same earlier in my career; focusing on full-stack projects pushed me to learn more about the frontend. It worked wonders for my understanding!
I think diving into textbooks is a great start! They provide a solid foundation. It’s not just about coding; understanding algorithms can really help you grow.
Absolutely! Learning the theory behind algorithms and coding practices can set you up well for implementation in any language.
Totally agree! I found 'Clean Code' a really good read—helped me pick up useful practices. If you’re into algorithms, I'd suggest looking for books that focus specifically on design patterns too.
If you’re considering CS50, go for it! It’s really engaging and covers a lot, but be prepared, it’s tough! Even though some topics may seem far from what we do, they help develop the right mindset. Don’t forget to check out the web programming course after—it's super useful.
You might want to focus on learning an Object-Oriented Programming language first. Then, practice it. After that, tackle data structures; this is where you really grasp architectural patterns and algorithms, paving your way toward backend and CI/CD knowledge.
I'm with you there! At my age, taking a pay cut to intern feels like a step back. I’d rather find ways to enhance my skills in my current role.