Web Developer Qualification Requirements

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Zookie_JDM

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Hi all,

I need your advice please... I'm 27 years old and after dabbling in developing a few web sites I have realised that it is something I actively want to pursue; therefore I have registered for a Higher Certificate in IT (Internet Development) with CTI Randburg to commence in January, however, last week they informed me that the Randburg campus is closing in February and I have to transfer to either Bedford or Pretoria. This is a problem for me ( I live in Fairland and work in Hyde Park).

I am currently working full-time (in a different field, I have been trying to get into something web dev related for the whole year), and therefore my studies will be part-time; also I want to pursue a career as a "full stack web developer" and hence why I went with the CTI route that would also result in completing a BscIT after the Cert

What I want to know from you guys is this:
- Should I bite the bullet and transfer to one of the campuses, as they do seem to be the best option (CTI is also very pricey)?
- Or should I register at another institution (which are basically closed for 2016)?
- Should I rather do a Dip in IT at say Unisa or Damelin, with skill certs in Java etc? (Damelin seems to be far behind in their curriculum thou)
- Do Web Dev's require a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or is a BCom in Info Systems sufficient? (Lets be honest)

I just want to make the best decision considering my age and lack of experience in the field, I don't want to go ahead and then turns out I can't progress in the right direction...

Thanx in advance! :)
 
I have nothing good to say about CTI. Prices are extremely high, it's basically self taught as your "lecturers" are usually guys from the previous years class who haven't found a job yet.

Also, with web dev, it seems like experience and a great portfolio are worth way more than certifications.
 
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Don't go to CTI.

Are you wanting to be self-employed or to join a company?
You could go for a Dip in Multimedia, but with pure web development/design having a portfolio is a lot more important.
 
Use the opportunity to cancel your CTI registration and get all your money back. Don't go there.
 
seanyp00h said:
I have nothing good to say about CTI. Prices are extremely high, it's basically self taught as your "lecturers" are usually guys from the previous years class who haven't found a job yet.
Click to expand...

I went there in 98/99 and I can agree even back then the lecturers weren't that great. I remember we had to develop a game in C++ (DOS) and I decided to make use of graphic card interrupts instead of the c++ graphics libraries (it didn't stipulate I couldn't). Needless to say my game looked pretty damn good but the lecturers didn't have a clue what I did. I know they changed the project requirements after that and stipulated that the c++ graphic libraries must be used.
 
CANCEL YOUR CTI REGISTRATION

It's k@k.

Money can be better utilized elsewhere
 
Well s**T haha! I'll definitely cancel that then...
But what to do instead??
It does seem a portfolio and experience is rather crucial.

Johnatan56 said:
Don't go to CTI.

Are you wanting to be self-employed or to join a company?
You could go for a Dip in Multimedia, but with pure web development/design having a portfolio is a lot more important.
Click to expand...

Ideally to be self employed in the future, but a company is needed for that sort of experience.

So you suggest multimedia over IT?

And if not CTI then UNISA?
 
Zookie_JDM said:
Well s**T haha! I'll definitely cancel that then...
But what to do instead??
It does seem a portfolio and experience is rather crucial.



Ideally to be self employed in the future, but a company is needed for that sort of experience.

So you suggest multimedia over IT?

And if not CTI then UNISA?
Click to expand...

Multimedia is IT. They'll coach you through coding sites/user interfaces etc. Currently forced to do the first year of MUF here at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The second year you chose, my friend has a Dip in MUF though, it's a cool degree to have. He's gotten a couple of offers even though he is still studying full time here (he is doing AppDev with me).
 
As a web developer, I can say I don't have any IT related qualification. I'm self-taught and worked part-time while building websites for next to nothing. Got my break after my third major website where I demonstrated I always go the extra mile. Was employed part-time and then later got the opportunity to work for a company full-time but chose to freelance instead. A good portfolio is better than any qualification I can think of.
 
save the money and signup to pluralsight and/or egghead.io

pick a technology. do the intro course. feel the lay of the land.
 
Get a github account and add a new project/website/example/script to it every week.

Think up simple stuff, for example a fixed responsive menu, and code it up from scratch. Sure, you can use bootstrap, but do it yourself first, then do it using bootstrap, then foundation, then whatever.

Do it initially using plain javascript (no jquery) and then do it using jQuery.
Then do it again, this time using SASS or LESS and then, guess what, do it again, using BEM.

Then, do it using angular, and then do it using react.

Then, put all your menu items in a table in a database in mysql and .. do it again.
Then, put them all in namesd schema in postgres and (all together now) do it again.

Possibly, finally, put them in a collection in mongo and .. (chorus) doooo iiiiitttt aaaaagggggaaaaaaaiiiiinnnnn!!

Last step, create a page "1000 ways to make a fixed responsive menu" and put all your examples on it with a brief writeup of each. Publish it on Hackernews and await internet fame!
 
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rward said:
Get a github account and add a new project/website/example/script to it every week.

Think up simple stuff, for example a fixed responsive menu, and code it up from scratch. Sure, you can use bootstrap, but do it yourself first, then do it using bootstrap, then foundation, then whatever.

Do it initially using plain javascript (no jquery) and then do it using jQuery.
Then do it again, this time using SASS or LESS and then, guess what, do it again, using BEM.

Then, do it using angular, and then do it using react.

Then, put all your menu items in a table in a database in mysql and .. do it again.
Then, put them all in namesd schema in postgres and (all together now) do it again.

Possibly, finally, put them in a collection in mongo and .. (chorus) doooo iiiiitttt aaaaagggggaaaaaaaiiiiinnnnn!!

Last step, create a page "1000 ways to make a fixed responsive menu" and put all your examples on it with a brief writeup of each. Publish it on Hackernews and await internet fame!
Click to expand...

Sounds too damn easy, lol :)
 
Really? I frequently look at positions available on PNET and they all require a Diploma or Degree?

Any opinions on Damelin? As UNISA is closed for 2016 registrations.
 
Zookie_JDM said:
^^ rward, so basically self taught and "working the system"?
Click to expand...

What I gave above is an example of what you can do to get a very firm understanding of web development and some of the more popular frameworks and methodologies. (try do something more than just a fixed responsive menu, think of 3 to 5 things).

Many people say "I want to do web development but how do I start?" - I reckon that's a good guideline but few people take the time to do it. They're more looking for "what do I type for step 1? now what do I type for step 2" and so on.


The best class I had at tech was by our C lecturer, a guy that had been in industry for 20+ years and started teaching. It was the only class where I was taught stuff, not read to from a text book. He taught us to try different things, that there wasn't just 'the method in the book', that every person had their own method/way, you just had to think. If you can get lecturers like that then you're on a good road, if you're getting someone that read to you, complain.
 
Great, thanx for the advice! I will get onto that...
In terms of a formal qualification though, I am still unsure...?
 
Zookie_JDM said:
Great, thanx for the advice! I will get onto that...
In terms of a formal qualification though, I am still unsure...?
Click to expand...

I would probably go the UNISA route.

First, get your web skills up to the point that you could land an entry level web development position. While doing that, register at Unisa and study towards a BSc.

In 4 years time, you will have a BSc and 4 years of web development experience.

Personally I don't think much else is worth the time and effort required.
 
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