How to Become a Full Stack Developer in New Mexico
A career as a web developer can be potentially lucrative, as this type of expertise is currently sought after by small and large businesses alike. If you are considering web design as a career, you might be wondering where to begin and what expertise you should acquire. Should you become a front-end developer, specializing in languages like HTML, JavaScript and CSS, or a back-end developer, specializing in languages like PHP and MySQL? There’s no need to choose. You can do both by becoming a full stack developer.
Full stack developers combine both front-end and back-end developers’ expertise by learning a variety of coding languages. And what do these various coding languages do? Generally speaking, front-end languages communicate the visual aspects of a website to a user’s device, while back-end languages facilitate communication with the server, keeping the website functional and up-to-date. Traditionally, creating a website required both a front-end and a back-end developer to work cooperatively to program in their specific languages to complete a visually stunning, fully functioning website. However, with the full stack developer, the work can be completed independently by one programmer.
New Mexico Education and Licensing Requirements
There is no need to acquire a license to work as a web developer in New Mexico. In fact, there is no oversight for the profession and no minimum educational requirements to work in the field. Without specific statewide minimums, employers are free to decide what education or training will be needed for particular job classifications. It is common in the industry for employers to wish to view a portfolio of work, ensuring a candidate has the necessary expertise to perform the functions of the job.
Training for Full Stack Developers in New Mexico
Training for web developers varies greatly, and if you are looking to get started in the field it can be confusing to decide which type of education will best meet your needs. It will be important to ask yourself specific questions about your financial means, ability to learn in various settings and your career goals prior to committing to a program. For instance, those who wish to get started in an entry-level position with low up-front training cost might consider attending an accelerated “boot camp” style training, while those who have more time and money and wish to climb the corporate ladder might want to pursue a degree. In New Mexico, a few available programs include:
- The University of New Mexico offers continuing education courses in Web Design and Development.
- New Mexico State University offers a Certificate of Completion in Web Design.
- Central New Mexico Community College offers an Associate of Science in Computer Programming.
Salaries and Growth Expectations for the Career
Full stack developers can expect to make between $54,000 and $115,000 annually, according to payscale.com. This data does not include profit sharing and bonuses, which are both common in the industry and can add an average of $3000 and $5000 to yearly wages, respectively.
According to Projections Central, career outlook is also favorable, with web developers expected to enjoy a 13 percent job growth between 2018 and 2028. This data translates to around 15,100 job openings per year in the United States.
Opportunities in for Full Stack Developers in New Mexico
New Mexico is not a standout state for the tech industry, but with businesses of all sizes needing web development, there is no need to rely on large tech companies for employment. In fact, full stack developers are well-poised for freelancing due to their ability to work independently. For those who prefer not to freelance, there are many companies in New Mexico that hire full stack developers. A few of these include Perficient, Endgame360, Toptal and Humana.