After spending several months learning front-end development—HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Git—and a few additional weeks building my personal portfolio, I started applying for web development jobs.
Surprisingly, everything happened very fast.
In less than a week, I landed my first job in the web development industry. Looking back, one of the most important factors was having a solid foundation in JavaScript, which I built through a structured and in-depth JavaScript course.
Let me share my experience and explain why this JavaScript course is truly worth recommending.
How I Got My First Web Developer Job
Here’s how the hiring process unfolded:
- Tuesday afternoon – I received an email from the Chief Operating Officer of a company I had applied to. He mentioned that he liked my story and how I presented myself on my website. He invited me for an interview that same Thursday.
- Wednesday & Thursday morning – I reviewed core JavaScript concepts and practiced common interview questions, especially those related to fundamentals.
- Thursday afternoon – I attended a two-hour interview with the COO and two senior developers. Most of the discussion focused on my career transition from telecommunications engineering to web development. The technical questions were more about concepts than very specific implementations.
- Friday morning – I received another email. They felt my profile was a strong match and sent me a coding challenge, asking me to complete and present it the following Monday.
- Weekend – I spent nearly 30 hours working on the coding challenge and submitting it via GitLab.
- Monday morning – I visited the company again to explain my development process and answer general programming questions. The team focused on the most challenging parts and asked why I chose certain approaches. They also provided constructive feedback, which I genuinely appreciated.
- Monday afternoon – I received a job offer. The COO told me the team was very satisfied with both my solution and my attitude toward feedback. I accepted the offer and was excited to start my new role.
My Background (Before Becoming a Web Developer)
To better understand this journey, some background may help.
Before landing this web development job, I wasn’t a professional software developer. However, technology had always been part of my life. I got my first PC 25 years ago, learned how to use it, and later studied telecommunications engineering, which gave me a solid understanding of computer networks and technical systems.
I had been building websites since I was 18 years old, but mostly as a hobby. Over the years, I created simple websites for myself and a few clients, mainly using early tools like Microsoft FrontPage and Dreamweaver.
When I started university, I almost completely stopped working with HTML and CSS. After graduating, I spent nearly 8–9 years in corporate roles without touching web development at all.
My Learning Path Back Into Web Development
Throughout my career, I made a few hesitant attempts to become a web developer, but nothing truly stuck—until recently.
Courses and Books That Made the Difference
0️⃣ Web Developer Bootcamp (Udemy)
About a year before leaving my previous job, I completed Colt Steele’s Web Developer Bootcamp on Udemy (highly recommended). This course gave me a realistic understanding of what it actually takes to work as a web developer and motivated me to go deeper into front-end development.
1️⃣ HTML & CSS Foundations
I started with “Learning Web Design: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics” by Jennifer Niederst Robbins, which provided a strong and clear foundation.
2️⃣ JavaScript (The Turning Point)
This is where things truly changed.
I studied JavaScript using:
- “Eloquent JavaScript (3rd Edition)” by Marijn Haverbeke
- The Complete JavaScript Course: From Zero to Expert! by Jonas Schmedtmann on Udemy
This JavaScript course is, without exaggeration, the best software development course I have ever taken.
It explains complex concepts in a clear, structured way and focuses heavily on real-world understanding, not just syntax. Even if you don’t have a strong programming background, the course gradually builds your skills step by step.
3️⃣ React for Modern Front-End Development
After completing the JavaScript course, I enrolled in “React – The Complete Guide (incl. Hooks, React Router, Redux)” by Maximilian Schwarzmüller, also on Udemy. This helped me connect JavaScript fundamentals with modern front-end frameworks.
Why This JavaScript Course Is Worth Recommending
If you’re serious about becoming a web developer, JavaScript is non-negotiable. A strong grasp of JavaScript fundamentals will:
- Help you pass technical interviews
- Make learning frameworks like React much easier
- Allow you to think like a developer, not just write code
The JavaScript course by Jonas Schmedtmann stands out because it:
- Teaches how JavaScript actually works under the hood
- Emphasizes problem-solving and real-world examples
- Is suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners
- Builds confidence through structured progression
Final Thoughts
If someone like me—without a formal software development background—can understand, apply, and benefit from this course, you can too.
This JavaScript course didn’t just help me learn a programming language.
It helped me change my career.
If your goal is to move into web development, strengthen your JavaScript skills, or prepare for developer interviews, this course is absolutely worth considering.
