Web development could be the flexible career choice you are looking for

Sponsored post written in conjunction with Dev Academy Aotearoa

Have you ever looked at a website and wondered what goes on behind the scenes to make it happen? Are you a natural communicator, problem solver, or design thinker? If so, have you ever considered a career in tech? Possibly not. But stay with us…because it might be the perfect next career step in your do-good career.

Having web development skills in your toolbox not only sets you up for a career as a full-stack developer, but it could also give you the skills needed to work for a for-purpose organisation that needs their marketing or comms person or their website manager to have some technical skills on board.

Working as a web developer also offers a huge amount of flexibility. It’s increasingly common for employers to hire developers anywhere in Aotearoa. And the nature of web development also gives you more flexibility in how you structure your work time around your personal life.

And with a wide range of applications, web development gives you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives by developing software, websites or apps that create positive change.

Web developers are in high demand, but women and Māori and Pasifika people are particularly underrepresented in this sector, often because they don’t have time to learn the skills they need.

Perhaps you’ve tackled a little bit of coding and are keen to take your skills to the next level, but never had the time to commit to a full-time course? Now’s the time to find that next level.

For the first time, Dev Academy Aotearoa is running a part-time course - opening up web development to a whole new group of people. Anyone who’s thought about training in web development before but couldn’t commit to a full-time training course now has the chance to fit learning around their other commitments. Designed specifically for people who want to study around part-time work, care or parenting commitments, the new part-time option runs across 30 weeks with 20 hours of study each week. It is delivered entirely online with a mix of self-study supported by tutors and collaborative work with other students. Much of the learning can be done at your own pace.

The course sets students up to find an entry-level web developer role with training in common programming languages like JavaScript and TypeScript and a range of industry tools, and in related skills like creating and giving presentations, working in teams and using agile processes. Around 85% of Dev Academy students find work in tech.

For Laura Richards, the ability to study part-time has been a game changer. Laura has been interested in web development for some time but because she homeschools her children, she’s never had the time before now to do anything other than a few short courses.

Laura Richards

She says: “About a year ago, I started to think about it (getting into web development) because I was watching a friend who was going through the full-time programme and I discovered that my brain worked really well with some of the things he was doing, and it looked really interesting.

“So I did some free online courses, and discovered that I did like doing it. But I didn't really have time to commit to any big course like he was doing and so it kind of was like a little thing that just sat there until this.

“I really like the idea of not having to completely change my lifestyle - that it's a way I can get the training without having to lock myself away in a room all week. I just don't have 60 hours per week to give to a full-time bootcamp. I want to be available for my kids and their activities and all the different balls I'm juggling, so part-time study makes this much more accessible for me.”

While the course is fully online, there is plenty of support from Dev Academy’s tutors and other students. Programme Lead Elise Wei says the main difference between the part-time course and the full-time bootcamp is the time commitment.

“Teachers will be available for questions, discussion, and learning support during business hours, but we are only asking students to attend virtual full-class gatherings for a couple of hours a week”, she says. “Everything else, the experienced teachers, the focus on human skills, the qualification at the end, the high levels of care we show our students… those will all be the same.”

If you’d like to learn more about Dev Academy’s new part-time bootcamp starting at end of April, you can learn more here.

If you are interested but would like to discuss if the course is right for you, then Elise is offering a free chat to answer any questions you may have. Book a 15-minute call with Elise here.

For more information about Dev Academy check out their website.