When it comes to choosing a career, it’s smart to pursue your interests, but also consider options where there is demand and longevity for the position. An associate website developer is an example of one such career with high demand and longevity. Put simply, there will always be demand for web developers. Websites are a critical function of our world today and they are always changing: features and functionality are added frequently, and the look and feel of a site always needs to be up to date. Web design standards have probably evolved even in the time it took for you to read this sentence!
To provide a better understanding of the demand for this role, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says web development is expected to grow 27% from 2014 to 2024, which makes sense when you consider the increasing use of the Internet for almost every industry. This means that a career path as an associate website developer checks both boxes; demand and longevity. If you’re curious about what an associate website developer does and how to become one, this article is for you! Keep reading to learn more.
What is an associate website developer?
An associate website developer is an entry level web developer who works as part of the web development team. They are not responsible for coding large websites all on their own, but work on small websites and work with a team to edit or build new large scale websites.. This entry-level role is an excellent way to get your foot in the door and build upon your beginner skills with on-the-job experience in website development.
What does an associate website developer do?
- Listens to the client to understand their vision and expectation of the website. They take direction from the lead web developer and development manager on how the website needs to look and function to meet the needs of the client. development manager.
- Initiates or participates in the testing process of the website to ensure all functional requirements are being met. An associate website developer also discusses test results with the senior developer while providing recommendations to alter or modify current features and specifications.
- Prototypes the website and helps in integration of third-party resources.
- Explains the features and specifications of the website to the sales team to keep everyone on the same page.
- Assists the client in the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and updating the website to ensure they feel confident to use the website and are satisfied with the final product.
How do I become an associate website developer?
One of the best aspects of becoming an associate website developer is that you don’t need a formal degree from a college or university to enter this career field. However, some training is preferred among employers and can help you stand out, as well as prepare you to excel on this career path.
Train on your own.
There are a wide variety of resources where one can learn associate website developer skills through self-instruction. Typically these are low to no-cost investments, but do require discipline and drive to see them through to completion. A quick Google search will reveal a number of reputable places that offer free training. Here are just a few to consider:
Keep in mind that these resources are best suited for individuals who are self-motivated and comfortable pacing their own education. If you require formal oversight and hard deadlines to motivate you, you might be better suited for this next option.
Attend a training bootcamp.
A bootcamp training program is a career skills training program that enables individuals with little to no prior experience to learn the specific skills needed to get an associate website developer job. While bootcamps often include a cost, they are still a more cost and time-effective way to gain valuable training and certifications than a college or university degree. Most bootcamps run between 6 weeks and 2 years in length.
NuPaths offers a 26-week Associate Website Developer training program that provides foundational education and hands-on learning. For a modest investment of time, you will complete the program having earned four industry certifications, seven college credits, and a ton of skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace.NuPaths students learn foundational web technologies, image editing in Photoshop, HTML, a markup language for building pages, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for web page layout, and JavaScript for web page interactions. And you learn from professionals working in the industry. This is just one more option to consider when choosing your training path to become an associate website developer.
How much do associate website developers earn?
According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for an associate web developer is $70,313 in the United States, with most entry-level positions starting at $40,000. It’s important to take into consideration that salaries will vary based on your geographic location, level of experience, and the industry you serve. To gain a clear and accurate understanding of the typical salary earned by an associate website developer in your desired location, you should speak to individuals who currently hold similar positions or employers who may be willing to share insight on salary. Be sure to also consider other benefits beyond salary including stable and consistent work hours, a favorable work environment and company culture, health benefits, and the opportunity for continued education and advancement.
What traits make a great associate website developer?
Good communication skills: Associate Website developers must work with multiple members of the web project team to ensure everyone’s on the same page throughout the project. This requires breaking down the technical aspects of the project into layman’s terms for other team members.
Willingness to learn and grow: The most effective associate website developers know enough to know that they don’t know it all. Continuous learning is essential to evolving in the industry. Website development changes at a very fast pace, so website developers need to keep themselves up to date on those changes and be open to new learning opportunities that come their way. The bottom line is to stay curious!
Self-motivated and task-oriented: As an associate website developer you will be working with the client, so that means you’ll have deadlines to meet. You might have to navigate multiple layers of tasks, each with their own deadlines to monitor and meet. To excel as an associate website developer, you must have the ability to see a critical path and motivate a team to stay on course.
Taking the next step!
The first step on the path to becoming an associate website developer is to begin laying the foundation of essential skills that you can build along the way. This will look different for everyone, but a great place to start is to explore options for training and certifications that fit your learning style and budget.
Consider learning more about the NuPaths associate website developer program and speaking with a student success coordinator. Regardless of what path you choose, this initial conversation can answer a lot of your questions and help you understand the options available to you. Get started today and learn more!
