Is Learning the MERN Stack Worth It for Beginners?

I currently use the MERN stack for my personal projects and I'm part of a large company where we employ a similar stack. While we don't use MongoDB specifically, we utilize cloud-based NoSQL solutions, and a ton of what you learn with MongoDB can transfer over to SQL databases as well. It's beneficial to understand both SQL and NoSQL, but the actual database you learn to use is less crucial. Interestingly, Stack Overflow's survey shows that Node and React are the most popular web frameworks among developers, which suggests these skills are in demand.

If you want to start with Node & Express, that's a great pick. React is definitely a plus, but MongoDB might not be as crucial. Document storage is useful, so maybe learn MERN first and then branch out to SQL or even explore AWS and DynamoDB.

Yes, definitely go for it! Most engineering careers will involve both MongoDB and SQL at some point. The concepts you learn for each can help you understand the other and you may find preferences once you dive into their differences. However, I rarely meet a developer who prefers MongoDB over SQL.

The MERN stack has its merits, especially with React and Node being widely adopted. MongoDB is a bit controversial; while it gained popularity a decade ago, many believe that for most applications, SQL (like Postgres) is a better fit. Start with the MERN stack but also make time to learn SQL. If you really want to challenge yourself, build a side project that allows you to switch between databases easily!

Honestly, I think it's a good idea to learn SQL first, maybe with Postgres for your database. Node is a solid choice, but it helps to know several backend languages. Python and Go are pretty user-friendly, with Java and C# being common in big companies. Learning a variety of skills will really diversify your opportunities.