Web Developer Qualification Requirements

Having a degree would impress me in your commitment.

Being able to actually be a productive member of a team would impress me more
 
Zookie_JDM said:
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! :)
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Hey. I wouldn't recommend CTI. Here's an article - http://hub.hyperiondev.com/hub/careers/best-qualification-software-developer/ - on the general landscape of qualifications available in South Africa for software developers, with some data on employment statistics. Hope it helps!
 
In terms of certificates vs. degrees you probably don't need a BSc right now to do web dev, but trust me it will be the first thing they look for when it comes to promotions and getting into jobs in the long run. I see the certificates and even some diplomas as short term solutions to get going towards a certain career path , but you are going to hit a dead end at some point where adding more certificates is not going to make a difference in terms of your "marketability" ...but a BSc is going to remain valid (even if you don't remember diddly squat about it) forever.

Also, it is probably much easier to get the BSc under your belt when you're 20-something than suddenly needing this at 45 when you want go into a manager's position (and don't assume this won't ever happen because you just want to code now) ....you'd be surprised how important something you did 15 years ago matters then (for no logical reason, but that's how it is) , and how that Networking/Server/Infrastructure/Software language cert you did last year suddenly means diddly squat.
 
diabolus said:
In terms of certificates vs. degrees you probably don't need a BSc right now to do web dev, but trust me it will be the first thing they look for when it comes to promotions and getting into jobs in the long run. I see the certificates and even some diplomas as short term solutions to get going towards a certain career path , but you are going to hit a dead end at some point where adding more certificates is not going to make a difference in terms of your "marketability" ...but a BSc is going to remain valid (even if you don't remember diddly squat about it) forever.

Also, it is probably much easier to get the BSc under your belt when you're 20-something than suddenly needing this at 45 when you want go into a manager's position (and don't assume this won't ever happen because you just want to code now) ....you'd be surprised how important something you did 15 years ago matters then (for no logical reason, but that's how it is) , and how that Networking/Server/Infrastructure/Software language cert you did last year suddenly means diddly squat.
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If you have been working at a company, and proving yourself, and they don't want to promote you because of paperwork then you are working at the wrong place. A degree is there to help you get in the door, but it isn't this magical unicorn for success that people make it out to be.
 
Doing a BSc in IT or Comp Sci would be incredibly extreme for someone just wanting to do WebDev, speaking from experience (about to get my BSc IT from Tuks) we have only done one module that related to WebDev. So if WebDev is what you are dead set on I personally feel going to do a BSc in IT or Comp Sci would result in a lot of self inflicted torture for most of it being utterly useless, albeit impressive on a resume.

With regards to CTi... No, just no.
 
out of interest OP - have you started a github account or are you still wanting to "get everything sorted out first"?
 
Haven't started an account yet no, will do so soon... been busy with work and moving and so on.

What I have decided to do is the following:
- Cancel CTI
- Register at UNISA for the following Short Learning Programmes - Java, Internet and Web Design, and web applications with PHP.
- In the interim, sort out portfolio.
- Decide on a formal qualification.

Regarding the last part, I see that there are tons of IT courses available at UNISA to obviously keep people competitive in the field, there is however only one qualification at UNISA for the Multimedia aspect of Web Dev; my thinking is then to register for a BA in computer-generated multimedia and keep on top of the game with skill programmes etc in the back-end development side.

As apposed to doing a Bsc in Computing (I'm smart but not that smart) or Infomatics, as this might be unnecessary? A diploma will probably be a time waster in the long run.
 
This is mostly target at the Hyperion suggest but anyone can jump in and offer their suggestions.

Hmm this will be a long entry

First point I'm a 2nd year going third year next year in IT Software Development, the article if i may be so bold as to say is biased to words CS,maybe if we had a second post from the view of IT that would leverage it out a bit.

2nd point is there seems to be a growing hype/movement in that your degree doesn't really get called out on these days more on what you can bring to the company, this is from an International point of view would you say the same is in South Africa.

3rd I'm planning on going all the way to b tech with my education, I realize i'll be at a disadvantage of not having a CS degree but there should be other ways to leverage that out,it seems wasteful to go for another 3 years to learn the remain tidbits I don't know...maybe I could fill the gaps with Moocs and other resources...maybe you could point me to other resources(I'm aware of the Hyperion courses but those seem to be programming only not very different from what I'm studying)

Thanks
 
If you're looking at web design, I suggest that you sign up at 99designs.com. It's a competition-based way for clients to get a great design with multiple alternatives from multiple users, and for designers to potentially make some cash.

I recommend it, because it teaches you to be quick, and be able to listen to the client's needs. It's also better than making a hypothetical website where you have nobody to critique you but yourself.

Try make a design, submit it, and if you happen to win, great! If not, then keep the design. Either way, after the competition, try and make your design (or the winning design for the contest) into a fully-fledged website to test your web development. *Don't actually publish the site if you use the original company's name.
 
They way I understand it, CTI will teach you how to code. That's pretty easy to do yourself with the resources available.
A BSc will teach you a lot of theory behind the actual coding, which is something you probably won't come across otherwise. Since you can already code, I would definitely got the BSc route.

That said, some of the smartest and best developers I know don't have degrees. Some don't have any qualifications. The big corporates might like the pieces of paper, but the smaller (20 - 500 people) places value work experience and proven capability a lot more.
 
Kerrits said:
They way I understand it, CTI will teach you how to code. That's pretty easy to do yourself with the resources available.
A BSc will teach you a lot of theory behind the actual coding, which is something you probably won't come across otherwise. Since you can already code, I would definitely got the BSc route.

That said, some of the smartest and best developers I know don't have degrees. Some don't have any qualifications. The big corporates might like the pieces of paper, but the smaller (20 - 500 people) places value work experience and proven capability a lot more.
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Hahahahahaha, no.
 
Any update OP?

Did you manage to get that github account sorted?
 
A B.Com in Information Systems is also considered highly by prospective employers, especially because developers with B.Com's are well-versed in accounting, tax, economics and other business subjects.
 
Heya!

I have registered for 3x SLP's at UNISA:
- Internet & Web Design
- Java
- PHP

So I'll have those under my belt by end this year.

I currently don't have access to adequate internet (I'm using my phone for work and home - yes, it sux), so have not started on Github, I'm hoping this should be sorted by next month but I'm having to look for another job (the motor industry is a b**ch)

In terms of degree options, I'm looking at doing either the Bsc in Infomatics or BA in Computer-Generated Media. I do believe that Infomatics will make me more employable however, Media would help me develop my own business that deals with multiple streams of design and development so I still researching and so on - good thing I have until August to decide on whats best for my future. :facepalm:
 
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