JavaScript Developers

To become a JavaScript developer you will, of course, need to learn this programming language. But it will also be useful to learn HTML and CSS, other programming languages that are frequently used by JavaScript developers. Your high school’s computer science department might offer classes in these and other programming languages. There are also low-cost and free classes and tutorials on the web. For example, Exercism.org offers more than 125 free JavaScript coding exercises. If you’re a JavaScript newbie, check out the tips and tutorials at https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/JavaScript. Once you learn the basics of JavaScript, begin using it to build basic apps and Web sites. Visit https://careerkarma.com/blog/coding-challenges-for-javascript for a list of other JavaScript exercises and challenges. The following online learning platforms offer free or low-cost classes in coding: Code Academy (https://www.codecademy.com), edX (https://www.edx.org), Coursera (https://www.coursera.org), and Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org).

Participate in popular IT forums such as StackExchange (https://stackexchange.com) and GitHub (https://github.com) to build your knowledge and skills and meet people with shared interests.

Inspect open source JavaScript applications to understand how they were created, learn how to structure your code, and use libraries in new ways.

Participate in programming competitions to test your skills and interact with people who share your interests. SkillsUSA is a national membership organization for middle school, high school, and college students who plan to pursue careers in technical, trade, and skilled service occupations. It offers several computer-related competitions. In its programming competition, contestants must demonstrate their knowledge of computer programming, describe how programs and programming languages work, detail the purposes and practices of structured programming, and develop a computer program from design notes and instructions. Visit http://www.skillsusa.org for more information. Here are a few additional programming competitions:

• Microsoft Imagine Cup: https://imaginecup.microsoft.com/en-us/compete/whycompete
• American Computer Science League: https://www.acsl.org
• Congressional App Challenge: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us

Other methods of exploration include participating in computer science, software development, and other IT-related summer exploration programs that are offered by colleges and universities, high schools, and park districts; joining computer clubs; reading books and watching videos (YouTube.com is a good source) about the field; and talking with a JavaScript developer about his or her career.