When can I call myself a web developer?

Becoming a web developer is an entirely unique experience. Because the industry is advancing so quickly, you can confidently expect that you'll never be finished. If you're expecting a finish line you'll be disappointed when you realize it's just a mirage; it's not actually there.

Pitfalls of becoming a web developer: moving too fast

This is surely to be the first of many "pitfalls" posts about becoming a web developer. There are so many and an honest assessment by someone who has recently experienced them is something the Internet hasn't provided just yet.

This time I'm going to talk about an unseen and usually unexpected pitfall: moving too fast.

For aspiring web developers

I love people who are trying to become web developers. It's a hard road and they're brave for walking it. It's a road full of uncertainties, obstacles, sacrifice, face-palms, and a plenty of victories.

Becoming a web developer as an adult is even harder. You don't have the luxury of unlimited time, unlimited attention, and no bills. You have to balance your learning with spending time with family, keeping your day job, running errands, household chores, and taking care of yourself. With all those responsibilities, finding time to study on your own is double hard. Add the fact that there's no one looking over your shoulder, no accountability, no grades, and no deadlines and you have the perfect recipe for quitting a thousand times before you reach web developer status.