Full-Stack Developer

In this career guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about full-stack developing as a career, from roles and responsibilities, to work environment and roadmap to becoming a Full Stack Developer.

Who's a Full-Stack Developer?

Ever called for some food through an app? It’s the job of a software engineer to create a programme that helps you choose from different restaurants, have it picked up, and arrive at your doorstep. This is what software engineers do.

Generally, the process of software development includes the working of two types of engineers-front-end engineer and a back-end engineer. A Front-end engineer is the one who works on what you see on the website, while a back-end engineer is someone who takes care of the server part of the website which you cannot see or interact with. However, as the line between what can be done on the front end and back end blurs, more and more developers are turning to a “full stack development course”. A full-stack developer works with both the front and back ends of a website or application.

Today, most full-stack developers also learn visual design, web design, or user experience skills – to complete their “stack.”

Want to pursue a career as a Full-stack Developer? Deep dive into this field with Alok Govil.

Responsibilities

What would you do?

Analysing the needs of clients or users.

As a full-stack developer, you would figure out what your client wants from you, which kind of software or product they are about to develop, how it will benefit the end user, and what makes it different from competitor products. You will then tell the client how you plan to develop it, how much time it will take, and how much it will cost.

Example: Say your client wants you to create a food delivery app. You will try and understand how it will be different from popular ones like Zomato and Swiggy, what kind of users your client is planning to sell the app to, and how you can create an app that makes their food delivering experience easier.

Recommending and making changes to existing software.

You must have noticed how your apps and operating systems often get updated in order to become faster or better. As a computer software engineer, you’ll be the one who creates these upgrades for existing software applications or systems to make them better, faster or more interesting to the user.

Example: Say a popular messaging application reached out to you for an upgrade. You would probably add features that make messaging fun and easy for the end-user (camera filters, shareability, etc.).

Designing different parts of software.

Depending on the type of project you are working on, you may work with a team of engineers to build one part of the software or only the software component of the system you are working on.

Example: Say someone is setting up a charity fund. You would probably work with a team of coders and developers to create the app or functioning of the website, while another team takes care of setting up the office, building the necessary hardware required to set up the online functioning of the fund, etc.

Designing different parts of software.

Depending on the type of project you are working on, you may work with a team of engineers to build one part of the software or only the software component of the system you are working on.

Example: Say someone is setting up a charity fund. You would probably work with a team of coders and developers to create the app or functioning of the website, while another team takes care of setting up the office, building the necessary hardware required to set up the online functioning of the fund, etc.

Performing routine checks and maintenance on software.

This involves testing the software you have created from time to time, making sure that it is error-free and resolving any issues that your users might face.

Example: Ever had your social media apps hang or crash due to a bug? A computer software engineer tests those apps regularly to ensure that such issues don’t come up, or even if they do, are resolved quickly.

Training other software engineers.

This would involve explaining to other team members how your creation works, explaining capabilities and limitations to project managers, preparing reports, flowcharts, diagrams that explain how the software works, etc. As you grow in your career and get to the level of a senior manager or team lead, you would also supervise and assign work to other software engineers, programmers, designers and technicians, and oversee the entire project.

Example: Say you’re leading the development of a new home delivery app. You would work on the design of the software, create flowcharts and diagrams on how you want it to function, explain those to your team of software engineers and ensure that they are creating the application as per your vision.

Take the Mentoria career assessment test, to find out how well-suited you are as a Full-Stack Developer.

Workplace

Where would you work?

Corporate/Startup

Almost every organisation in every industry needs a full-stack developer. You get to decide which industry you’re more comfortable working with, or choose to work for a software firm that caters to different industries. You could work at a startup or a multinational corporation, depending on the kind of job they offer you.

Control Room

You will work with high-tech equipment and robust systems. While you will mostly follow fixed working hours, you might end up working late once in a while to meet a deadline.

Conferences

You may have to travel from time to time for conferences and workshops. These conferences will help keep you up-to-date on the latest innovations in the field. Apart from travelling for workshops, conferences or client meetings, this is mostly a desk job that doesn’t involve frequent travelling.

Education

How do you get there?

This stream won’t help you make an entry into this field.

This stream won’t help you make an entry into this field.

STEP 1: Class XI-XII/Junior College

To become a full-stack developer, you will have to have a background in Science and Mathematics. So, choosing Science as your stream in junior college is the only option. Take Computer Science/IT as your elective subject.

STEP 2: Entrance Exam

A BSc or BTech degree will help. You will have to clear an entrance exam to enrol for a BTech course. Depending on the college you want to go to, there are several exams you should prepare for. The main ones include IIT JEE, MH-CET, and AIEEE; for NITs, IITs, and other government colleges. Several private colleges have their own entrance exams as well.

STEP 3: Graduation

Once you clear the entrance exams, you will study for either three/four years to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Technology (BSc or BTech) or BSc in Computer Science/IT/Computer Application/Software Engineering.

STEP 4: Choose Your Stack

While you are pursuing your graduation degree, choose the stack you want to master. You can opt to learn stacks such as LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP), Mean (MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, NodeJS), Django and others. Register for an online certification course as there are no specific degree courses available.

STEP 5: Internship

Try to get an internship during your summer holidays. This is an excellent way to understand how the industry works and to network with potential employers. You could intern with a start-up, which would be a fun experience and give you more hands-on experience. You could get into programming or software development; here you would work on coding and improving backend functions.

STEP 6: Land a Job

After you complete your education and/or internship, you can join any IT organisation as a junior software engineer. Initially, you would be tasked with debugging, testing, and code documentation and learning the company’s code base. Since you are choosing a highly technical career, learning should be your priority. Your experience will make you stand out from the crowd.

STEP 7: Postgraduate Degree

As you grow in your career, you could get a postgraduate degree. You can pursue a Diploma in Computer Science and Engineering (DCPE) or a full-time postgraduate programme in Masters in Engineering (ME/M.Tech) in Computer Engineering.

 

Thinking of a career as a Full-Stack Developer? Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalised step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

What skills would you need?

Programming

Programming

Programming is the skill of writing instructions for computers to perform specific tasks or solve problems. It involves using programming languages, such as Python, Java, or C++, to create software applications, algorithms, and scripts. Programming requires logical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and an understanding of computer science concepts. Having programming skills is crucial in today’s technology-driven world. It enables you to automate tasks, analyse data, develop websites, and create applications across various industries. In roles such as software development, data analysis, and IT, programming skills can significantly enhance productivity and innovation, making you a valuable asset in the job market. build this skill
Mathematical Skills

Mathematical Skills

Mathematical skills are the abilities needed to understand, work with, and apply mathematical concepts and techniques, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and advanced areas like algebra, geometry, and statistics. These skills include both basic arithmetic and more complex problem-solving abilities, depending on the role. Mathematical skills are crucial for analysing data, making calculations, and solving numerical problems, which are essential in fields like finance, engineering, technology, and research. Strong mathematical skills allow you to interpret data accurately, make informed decisions, and handle tasks involving budgeting, measurement, and quantitative analysis.   build this skill
Communication Skills

Communication Skills

Communication skills are the ability to clearly express ideas, information, and feelings, both verbally and in writing, so others can easily understand. This includes listening effectively, using the right tone, and being aware of non-verbal cues like body language. These skills help you explain your thoughts clearly, build relationships, and work better in teams. Good communication is important in almost every job, from customer service to leadership roles, because it ensures that tasks are understood and done correctly, and it helps prevent misunderstandings. build this skill
Attention to Detail

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail means being careful and noticing small things that others might miss. It involves checking your work carefully for mistakes, following instructions exactly, and making sure everything is done correctly. This skill helps you do accurate work and avoid errors. In jobs, attention to detail is important for tasks like writing reports, managing data, or following safety rules.     build this skill
Promotion levels

How do you make it to the top ranks?

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Trainee

You would work on simple programming jobs under the supervision of a lead programmer. You will be taught how to use different programming software, languages and you’ll learn the process of working in a professional environment.

Junior Full-Stack Developer

At this stage, you will be involved in the design and development of various computer software. You would work under a full-stack developer or a senior software developer.

Senior Full-Stack Developer

At this level, you would need to have a thorough knowledge of coding and markup languages. Your work would majorly be writing code, overseeing designs and maintaining the website.

Team Lead

Here, you would be in charge of one or more software projects. You would oversee and assign work to the junior and senior full-stack engineers and oversee the tools and techniques used to develop the software.

Senior Team Lead

You will be in charge of full-stack developers and guide them to create high-quality software. You would also mentor senior and junior developers.

Chief Technology Officer

As the Chief Technology Officer or CTO, you would lead the developing department of a company. Your job would involve developing strategies to increase revenue and planning the company’s technological roadmap. You would also oversee all the software built and maintained by your developers.

Scope

Pursuing your career locally VS abroad

The sudden rise of technology has led to the development of a lot of start-ups and tech companies that are looking for full-stack developers. Today, even well-established companies are hiring full-stack developers to manage both front and back-end work for them. Pursuing software development in India can open up plenty of job opportunities for you and also give you a chance to build a good network. There is no specific course for full-stack development in India. Instead, you can opt to do an online certification course in the stack and programming language you want to master. To become a full-stack developer in India, you can pursue a Diploma, Bachelor’s, Masters or PG Diploma course in the field of Computer Software Developing. Top engineering colleges in India are IIT Bombay, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Delhi, Delhi Technology University and others. The average fee for pursuing a degree in computer science engineering is INR 5,00,000- INR 10,00,000.

An overseas degree in computer science engineering would increase your chances of getting a job abroad and will definitely boost your career. Pursuing computer science engineering or information technology engineering abroad would help you get global exposure and introduce you to the different kinds of technology used in that country. This could, in a way, help you excel in your career here in India. Colleges in Canada and the US are well-known for good technology courses. The average fee for pursuing full-stack development overseas is INR 10,00,000 – INR 20,00,000 per year, depending on the university you opt for.

Payscale

How much would you get paid?

The exact number will depend on your skills, qualifications, work experience, and the organisation you’re working for. However, we can give you an idea of what full-stack developers generally make.


Specialisations

What are your career options?

Front-end Developer

If you have strong HTML, JSS and Java Script skills, front-end developing would make a great career choice. As a front-end developer, you would be responsible for converting data into a design interface. This means you would code everything that the user sees on the website. Good knowledge of markup languages, testing and debugging issues are a few must-have skills for a front-end developer.

Back-end Developer

You would be entrusted with handling the “back-end” structure of the website or an application. This would include both designing, implementation and functioning of the system. In short, you would be creating structures or components that would be indirectly used by the website or application users. It is imperative for back-end developers to learn programming languages such as Java, C, C++, Ruby, Perl, Python, Scala, Go and others.

Game Developer

As the name suggests, you would be developing or designing video games. This would include its coding, designing and development. The games that you design should be user-friendly and engaging. Understanding programming languages such as C++, visual basic, java and MEL is a must.

DevOps Manager

You are the bridge between IT developers and software developers. You would deploy websites and mobile applications, even launch revamped versions of the website or the app, and add new upgrades or other changes. You will also code, script and do regular testing and deployment activities for the website. Your job would also involve managing, building and troubleshooting the website server whenever required.

Quality Assurance Manager

Your primary job would include testing the new features of the website or application before its launch and identify and report any bugs that you find. You would need a good eye for detail to be able to spot the tiniest of glitches. These errors must be reported to the team of software developers whom you will work closely with.

Application Developer

An application developer creates applications for desktops and mobile devices. As an application developer, your primary job involves translating software requirements into a workable programming code. You will also look into designing, testing, and implementing programming languages and development tools.

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