What Should a Junior Backend Developer Know Beyond the Basics?

For a junior just slightly above entry-level, I expect them to know about the technologies you've mentioned. It's cool if you have some experience using them, but as a beginner, just being aware of them is enough. I often find myself teaching candidates the specifics if they’re willing to learn, which is what truly matters.

It's great that you're self-teaching, but just a heads up—working solo can lead to picking up some poor habits. Things like neglecting version control or not commenting on your code can really hold you back. Make sure to develop good practices early on!

If you're just starting out, here's the basics: Do you know what a computer is? Can you use at least one programming language to build something? Do you get how the web and internet work? And have you heard of databases? A junior developer doesn’t need to have extensive experience; showing interest and a willingness to learn can often be more valuable.

Make sure you know how to handle user logins and how to store and retrieve user data securely. Also, familiarize yourself with at least a few of the OWASP top ten security guidelines for best practices.

What you'll need can really vary depending on the company. Sometimes a positive attitude can get you hired over specific skills. While data structures and algorithms are often part of interview prep, I haven't actually had to implement them at work since most structures are already built in libraries. If you're focusing on backend, it might also be helpful to learn some frontend basics like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and maybe React later on. And don't forget Git—check out the 'MIT Missing Semester' for some real insights!

I really like that you've included SQL along with Entity Framework. SQL has stayed relevant over the years, and while I’m often using code-first EF, having a solid foundation in SQL is invaluable. Also highly recommend getting comfortable with Git—it’s a must-have skill!