I'm learning mysql and php. I'm not that great at photoshop, but I've been using it on and off for about six years and I suppose I can make decent things once in a while. I'd like to get into web development, especially the coding side of it. I want to go back to college and get at least a 2-year degree in web development, but someone told me experience is better than a degree and told me I'd be better off just doing projects and making a portfolio.
What's the best way to start going about that? I know some of you are professional web developers, how did you start out?
A diploma is a good thing. It shows you have commitment. Naturally, experience is good too. Experience and no diploma is better than a diploma and no experience. However, a diploma and experience is better than either alone, IMHO.
As far as degree vs experience. BOTH IS BEST.... Experience is hands down a necessity in the web development field. I have seen plenty of people go to school for 4 years graduate at the top of their class just to find themselves staying at their pre-degree jobs because they are all knowledge and no application.
I personally know a few freelancers that started in their basements without a degree, 2 of them do it as a full time job now, 1 of which actually has a crew working under him. Another one still does it from his basement and will never get anywhere with his due to his lack of people skills and quality of work.
Anyone can piece together templates, customize scripts etc. You need to be good, very good with or without a degree to make top dollar in the industry. You need to master a few language and be versatile enough to work with any language. You also need to stay on the top of the technology that is out there. It is so easy to just keep working with what you know. Alot of programming work is going overseas now due to the cheaper cost so keep everythign in mind when choosing what you want to get a degree in.
If it was me I would consider getting a double major in say business management or marketing and then the second in programming. Also I think a two year degree wouldn't scratch the surface of becoming a true professional due to the fact you will be starting with alot of people who know nothing about coding.
I wanted to do Network Administration for a career, I got my Associates degree in Network Administration and my Bachelors in Business Administration which down the road will allow me to get out the computer industry if it continues bloating like it is.
Either way stick your nose in a books/web sites/tutorials and learn and then put it into practical use. If you are just looking to develop a portfolio I see people on NamePros offer cheap designs for fellow NamePro Members.
Another avenue I took when I first started with simple web design work is the following.
I got a reseller web hosting account at like HostMonster which allowed me to host unlimited domains. The account cost $60 a year.
I then went to local small businesses, local churches, and other organizations and offered them free websites upfront with a $20/month fee which included hosting, the domain name renewal fees and then 30 minutes of my time every month for small changes. It worked well.
That does give me some ideas. I do want a degree, I just wasn't sure how much more important experience is. The person I know that does developing as a job doesn't even have a high school diploma. She dropped out and started doing developing for money. She ended up meeting my girlfriend's uncle when he registered wifi.com because he was looking for people to help develop it. They're now married, and that's how I know her.
The degree I've been wanting to get is in network security or networking. I don't have the money to do it right now, but I wish I did. There is a college near here I'd like to go to. I figure I could get network security and programming in about two years.
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Depending on what you want to do specifically, a degree may or may not do anything for you. for design, portfolio is king. I'm not sure about developing, but generally, more technical positions require certifications of some sort.
I personally started off in high school as a freelancer, went to college for animation and dropped out when it became apparent it would have an extremely poor ROI. I am now an Art Director for a web design firm, without a degree. I've always made it clear I have no degree, even when education never came up in interviews. They never seemed to care. Quality of work - and ability to work with others! - was always most important.
I am considering finishing up my degree just for the heck of it.
I've been doing bits and pieces of web development for 6 or 7 years now to. I started developing an application for a client, and I've learned a heck of a lot in a short space of time. I do think it's important to do theory, however.
I think you're able to make it both ways, it's choosing the way which suits you best. You don't have to go to college to learn anything. If you're motivated enough you can learn things yourself in your own time, whilst you work on building up a portfolio.
If you find you need more structure, go to college. You'll still be able to work on your portfolio, and build up experience there.
