The 5-step process for starting out as a web developer without a computer science degree

Step 1. Learn the fundamentals

If you want to change careers, you can't just apply for a job in a new field with no prior knowledge of the field, can you?

So, what are you going to do?

You begin by teaching yourself the fundamentals! The simplest way to determine what you need to learn is to look at the entry-level job requirements in your desired field.

To get an entry-level job as a front-end developer, you'll need to know JavaScript, HTML and CSS, Git commands, GitHub, responsive design, relational databases, operating systems, and modern UI frameworks.

Back-end developers must also be familiar with PHP, various frameworks, libraries, databases, and working with web and cloud servers.

That is why you should begin by learning the fundamentals.

Step 2: Practice writing 'clean code.'

While learning to code, use comments to make variable and function names understandable in English. That means you'll have to write a little more.

However, if you do not, you will have to manually document it in the future to make it more clear. This will eventually make your code base more difficult to understand.

Step 3: Enroll in an online course.

You don't have to be a certain age or have a certain level of education to take an online course. There are several free courses available on the internet that will teach you programming without cost.

Various beginner's courses will teach you various things. Investigate which subjects pique your interest and look for a course that will allow you to learn about them.

Step 4 : practise.

Start building something once you've mastered the fundamentals of web development. The best developers learn by creating a website or a web app and tinkering with it until it is functional. It may not appear to be the best website in the world, but getting it to work is a huge accomplishment.

Create a Github account and begin publishing your code there. Github projects serve as the unofficial portfolios of developers all over the world. When employers are looking for the right web developer for their teams, a Github account with multiple projects piques their interest. Because your Github account will show how you approach and solve programming problems.

Step 5: Participate and contribute

Don't sit around waiting for the perfect opportunity to fall into your lap. Begin contributing to opensource projects and attending hackathons, events, and meetups. This will allow you to learn what is in demand and update your skills accordingly, as well as connect with and network with other web development professionals. And before you know it, you'll be able to land a good entry-level web developer internship or job.