New career as a web developer - advice?

Papa Lazarou · May 14th, 2008, 09:14 AM

Ok. I have worked in a completely different industry now for 10 years, since I left uni. I have spent my career as an audio-post sound engineer, working in studios on the sound for TV, radio, advertising, games feature films etc. Recording voices, editing, mixing, that sort of thing. I've done quite well out of it.

For various reasons (mainly that this industry is slowly dying) I'm seriously looking into going into IT. I know someone who has made a similar move - and I think he had the right idea. Simply, the amount of 'sound' people out there way, way outstrips demand.

I'm thinking of going into web development. I've done my own HTML coding for about 10 years on my own sites, and although basic, I have an ok grasp to get me started.

Should I seriously learn HTML - would that be a good starting point? Or a waste of time?

What's an in-demand skill to have as a web developer - Java? Sql? PhP?

I plan on spending my time reading and practising - or would a proper course be worth it? I've heard mixed reviews about these.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am totally new to all this, and I need enough info on what it takes to get work as a web dev.

Thanks.

unitedcraig · May 14th, 2008, 10:19 AM

What is it you are really looking into getting into, design or development?

I would seriously learn html, it is not exactly the hardest language in the world and can be a great help if you are inplementing code into your clients pages.

Php and SQL are great for dynamic sites, there is always someone needing a login page, user database etc.

Thats my opinion for what it counts

Craig

CloudedVision · May 14th, 2008, 09:45 PM

web design and web development are two completely different things. Web Design would probably be for you if you're a good artist and designer in general. Development would be for you if your a logical person.

Regardless of which you pick, switching industries is really challenging. I would probably take a design or development course, I don't think a company would be keen on hiring somebody who's self-taught.

Edit: Or you can become a freelancer, although thats pretty hard to make a living doing.

welshstew · May 15th, 2008, 04:59 AM

I would start with learning HTML, it's the backbone of all web development
start with some online tutorials:
http://www.w3schools.com/
http://htmldog.com/

After you have that down you should be able to start making some sites.

If you want to go for Content Management systems, then also start leaning PHP. From here you can use any number of open source (online keyword for free...

) tools such as joomla (CMS) or oscommerce (eCommerce software).

you can also check the relevant forums here for great links to online help:
http://www.webforumz.com/php-forum/6...-beginners.htm
http://www.webforumz.com/html-forum/...how-to-use.htm

I wish you all the luck in your new career. It will be a rocky road, but we are here to help and offer any advice and guidance you may need.

Papa Lazarou · May 15th, 2008, 09:26 AM

Thanks all. Yes, I know the difference between web design and web development - a common mistake I understand.

I'm more interested in the actual mechanics of it all, so actual development and coding is what interests me.

I'm not expecting this to be easy of course - I know I'll need to knuckle down and do a heck of a lot of reading and experimenting.

My plan is learn this while working in my current job and earning money. I can practise stuff during quiet time at work, which is handy. Perhaps when I'm good enough I'll do some freebies to build up a small portfolio - but that's a long way off!

I need to pop to my local library and see what HTML ref books they have.

Thanks for those links Welshstew, I'll click 'em out!

welshstew · May 15th, 2008, 11:06 AM

[stolen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Lazarou

I'll click 'em out!

[/stolen]
ha ha, i like that

Papa Lazarou · May 20th, 2008, 04:37 AM

Hey, I've been looking at that w3schools.com site, and it's really helpful. I also ordered a used book on HTML 4.0, so should give me a good grounding.

I think I'll give my site a complete overhaul as a lot of my code looks sloppy now!