Web Developer
Web Developer Career Overview
In today's society, almost everyone and everything is moving to the virtual world. Small businesses, large corporations, and your every day Joe's all want to be a part of the World Wide Web. What this means for web developers is that business has never looked more promising. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 37% increase in the demand for web developers in the next ten years. This is one of the fastest growing industries not only in the United States, but also in the globally.
A web developer is someone who is responsible for the day-to-day creation, design, and maintenance of websites. They are also called internet developers or web designers and focus on both the server side of performance with applications such as Perl, Python and Ruby, and the client side of things with Java Script, HTML and CSS technology.
Web Developer Training and Education
There is no specific degree you will need to become a web developer, however, those with a computer science or information technology degree as well as the required web development certificates will most likely achieve the highest level of success. Some of these certifications include HTML certification, Java Script certification, ASP certification, PHP certification, and XML certification. According to Robert Half International, a leading worldwide employer, web developers should also have a clear understanding of Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop, InDesign, ImageReady, Fireworks, HTML, CSS, XML and JSP. Other lessons will include browser scripting, server scripting, web hosting, and multimedia. There are technical schools, colleges, and online universities that specialize in these courses and required certificates.
Web Developer Salary Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that web developers made between $54,750 and $81,500 in 2007. According to Robert Half Technology, as reported in Datamation, those in senior web management averaged between $76,250 and $108,250 in 2008. This is a 6.6% increase from web developers' salaries in 2007.
While many people are worried about their career prospects in light of the economic recession, those in the computer science field have nothing to stress about. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an additional 200,000 jobs in the next ten years in fields pertaining to computer science and web technology. For aspiring web developers looking to jump start their career, now is the best time to obtain the higher education and certification needed to enter into web development and benefit from the global cyber craze.
Article Resources
Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Computer Scientists and Database Administrators.”United States Department of Labor. “Employment Projections.”
Robert Half International. “Internet Services” in The Creative Group.
Robert Half Technology. “The 2008 IT Salary” in Datamation.
Is Web Development Right for You?
Web developers work in all sorts of office conditions. While some are employed full time by large corporations, others work for governments, and still more work as freelancers from the comfort of their own homes. Web developers enjoy the benefits of telecommunication and are able to pick and choose their clients, their contracts, and their hours of work.
A web developer must be a good problem solver, be one hundred percent self-motivated, possess good organizational and logical thinking skills, and have excellent communication abilities. This job may involve working long hours to solve a problem so being able to multi-task is an invaluable asset.
Where a Web Development Degree Will Take You
Although it is not mandatory to have a degree in web development to work in the field, an increasing number of employers are looking to hire those with a degree in at least a relevant field, such as computer science or information technology. Because web development requires reading, writing and marketing skills, a degree in communications, business, or marketing will also help you advance in the field. A degree demonstrates to an employer that you possess the ability to learn and a dedication to furthering your career.
Furthermore, the United States Department of Labor reports that those with a bachelor degree will make an estimated $400 more per week than those with a high school diploma only. This equates to more than $20,000 per year. In general, the more education you obtain, the more likely you will be able to advance in the web development world.
