Internet Developers

High School

Many schools also now offer technology classes that focus on computer and Web skills. In addition, take classes in science, mathematics, and history. These classes will provide you with a good foundation in analytical-thinking skills. You should also take English and speech classes in order to hone your written and verbal communication skills. If you belong to a club or organization, volunteer to be part of the group that updates the Web site as another great way to learn and get practice.

Postsecondary Training

Internet developers typically have degrees in Web development, information architecture, computer science, or computer programming—although some have degrees in other areas, such as marketing, graphic or digital design, library and information science, or information systems. Regardless of educational background, you need to have an understanding of computers and computer networks and knowledge of Internet programming languages. Some colleges offer associate degrees in Web development through online programs, which is another alternative for learning the basics. Combining this type of degree with an internship or part-time job at a Web development company can put you in an excellent position to get a job after graduation. In general, one year of experience working on a site is invaluable toward landing a job in the field.

Certification

The International Web Association offers professional certificates in Web development, application development, enterprise development, and other areas. Contact the association for more information.

Other Education or Training

Student and professional members of the Association for Computing Machinery can access online computing and business courses via the association’s Learning Center. Visit http://learning.acm.org for more information. The IEEE Computer Society offers career planning webinars and continuing education courses to its members. Visit https://www.computer.org/education for more information. Other organizations that offer continuing education classes, webinars, workshops, and videos include the International Web Association and WebProfessionals.org.