Forgetting the stereotype

Web development is an industry haunted by stereotypes. We're all aware of the image of the bearded, white, bespectacled male which often dominates thoughts on technology. But this stereotype is not only increasingly out-dated, it is also only one very small section of those working in a job market that is seeing women, people of color, young and old find fantastic jobs and launch lifelong careers.

Web development is no longer the domain of a select few. Millions of job roles will be opening up in technology over the next decade, with demand increasing at the same rate as the salaries. This is a profession that requires highly skilled, creative individuals to perform work that is fulfilling and well-paid.

With so much talk of the 'tech skills gap' and the job opportunities out there for those with the right skills, perhaps you've begun to consider a career in the industry. But before you make the leap and learn how to code, let's take a look at the key personality traits of successful web developers: You might be surprised to learn they're not the clichés they once were. Our teaching experience at CareerFoundry has taught us the following:

1. Patience

Every programmer will tell you that patience is at the top of the list of requirements needed when learning how to program. As a web developer, you’ll come up against numerous bugs and broken lines of code that will take practice, patience and research to fix. When you’re starting out in programming, this can be very frustrating. And if you’re the sort of person who can see frustration as a means to an end (i.e., your frustration fuels your drive to keep looking for an answer) then you could well be web developer material.

2. Communication

Whether you’re working alone as a freelancer or in a team at a larger business, the ability to communicate what you’re doing to non-technical people is crucial to your success as a web developer. You have to get your point across as effectively as possible. In fact, programmers who can describe what they’re doing using everyday language without jargon are 100 times more successful than those who speak in code.

3. Problem-solving Skills

Because you’ll be taking ideas and turning them into living webpages and apps, you’ll need to be able to use logic to help you create. You’ll also have to take apart code to figure out what isn’t working or where a bug is coming from. That’s why a healthy passion for dissembling, building, problem-solving and overcoming challenges is key to a successful web development career.

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