3 Reasons Why You SHOULDN’T Become a Full-Stack Developer (and what you should study instead)

Summary

In this video, Mark from Devslopes advises beginners against pursuing full-stack development right away. He explains that companies rarely hire junior full-stack developers, as front-end and back-end roles are typically separate, especially in larger organizations. Mark suggests mastering front-end development first, as it’s crucial for landing a job and building essential skills. Full-stack knowledge is more beneficial for freelancers or experienced developers. Ultimately, focusing on front-end will help beginners get hired faster and allow them to expand into back-end development later.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Full Stack Development is not ideal for beginners because no one hires junior full stack developers.
• 👨‍💻 A full stack developer works on both the front-end (user interface) and back-end (server, APIs, and database) of an application.
• 💡 Beginners should focus on mastering front-end development first before considering back-end development.
• 📉 Companies typically do not hire junior back-end developers because of the sensitivity and security concerns involved.
• 🚀 Startups with limited funding may hire full stack developers, but such roles are rare and not recommended for beginners.
• 🏢 Larger companies prefer specialized developers, like front-end or back-end, rather than full stack.
• 💼 If your goal is to freelance or start your own business, being a full stack developer can be beneficial.
• 💻 To become a back-end developer, you need to gain front-end experience first, as it lays the groundwork for complex tasks.
• 💸 Back-end developers often earn higher salaries compared to full stack developers because of their specialized focus.
• 🚫 Avoid spreading yourself thin by learning multiple technologies at once; focus on mastering one area before moving on to the next.

Q & A

What is a full stack developer?

A full stack developer is someone who builds both the front-end (user interface) and the back-end (server-side logic, APIs, and database interactions) of an application.

Why does the speaker discourage beginners from becoming full stack developers?

The speaker discourages beginners from becoming full stack developers because no one hires junior full stack developers. Instead, companies often prefer developers to specialize in either front-end or back-end development, especially at the entry level.

What does the speaker suggest beginners focus on learning first?

The speaker suggests beginners should focus on learning front-end development first, such as web development, iOS, or Android development, because it's easier to get hired as a front-end developer.

Why does the speaker believe bootcamps teaching full stack development can be problematic?

The speaker believes bootcamps teaching full stack development can be problematic because they often cover back-end frameworks like Ruby on Rails or Python/Django, which beginners won't use in their first job, making it a waste of time for most students.

In what scenarios might being a full stack developer be useful, according to the speaker?

Being a full stack developer can be useful if you're a freelancer or want to start your own business. It allows you to build both the front and back end of applications, eliminating the need to outsource parts of the project.

Why do big companies typically not hire full stack developers?

Big companies typically do not hire full stack developers because they prefer to have specialized front-end and back-end developers. This allows for better focus and expertise in specific areas of development.

What does the speaker say about the risks of junior developers starting with back-end development?

The speaker warns that junior developers should not start with back-end development because back-end work often involves handling important data, security, and complex systems. Mistakes made by juniors could have serious consequences, which is why companies avoid hiring junior back-end developers.

What does the speaker think about job postings that list both front-end and back-end skills for junior developers?

The speaker considers job postings that list both front-end and back-end skills for junior developers to be unrealistic and 'bonkers.' In reality, companies will not expect juniors to master both areas.

How does the speaker compare the salaries of full stack, front-end, and back-end developers?

The speaker notes that while full stack developers make good salaries (around $111,000), back-end developers make more, with an average of $127,000 per year. This difference is because back-end work is more specialized and valued.

What is the speaker’s final advice for beginners in web development?

The speaker’s final advice for beginners is to focus on mastering front-end development first, get a job in that area, and only then start learning back-end development if needed. Full stack development should be considered later or if you're planning to freelance.