I followed your advice end of 2022 to take a look at PHP. This year alone PHP/Laravel has brought me around $68,000 as an independent contractor. As somebody from a "third world" country in Africa this is just on another level. I even bought a house!
5:25 Totally agree-focusing on fewer, high-priority goals with clarity and discipline always leads to better progress and peace of mind than trying to do too much at once!
Hey Uncle Steef Thank You for this video, I was confused about whether to go with Js or C# for backend and you removed my confusion and that language is not that important but becoming master of One which makes you master of All. ❤
I spent over 30 years in IT, around year 10 you stop caring about languages at all. Every new project comes with learning new languages and tools. Just get on with it.
In my case, it was C and C++ for 20 years. Then transitioning to java, and that sucked hugely. Massivelly over-engineered OOP code on steroids... and the java ecosystem itself, the tools, and the IDEs suck also. I am a C++ developer. That's what I'll contune doing. I'm very fortunate to have been able to stick with what I enjoy for so long. That said, Pascal was quite nice. Lisp was fun. I was passionate about assembly back in the day. Ada was cumbersome, but fortunately, it was not mainstream. But the so calked fullstack stuff is just a bloatware by another name. A load of ugly hacks layered on top of hacks.... html, css, js, etc... Perhaps acceptable in the client server domain, but some people use this stuff for developing applications aka bloatware. Rant over 😀
@@toby9999thanks for your comment! My friend I’m thinking to get in the IT field. Which are you think 🤔 is better to go? Web development, mobile development, cybersecurity or cloud security? All this talking about AI now taking over has me confused 🤔 I appreciate your insights! I asked you cus I see you have long time in IT.
I’m transitioning from a completely different field. I just completed my CompTIA A+ cert. When I started, I thought I wanted to pursue more IT certs, but watching your UA-cam videos over the months has me more interested in Web Development. I’m reading your Web Design book right now to wet my beak. I’ll be starting a self paced coding course this week. Your channel has been an immense help.
You have more chances of landing a job in IT than web dev (or any other type of programming). I am not saying it's easy, but there are far more jobs in IT support and networking (cloud and cyber security aren't entry level roles) than web dev. Also, any type of programming role generally requires a CS degree and/or experience. Very few people get hired as self taught candidates or boot camp graduates.
Predictions 2025: still a nightmare for self-taught candidates and boot camp graduates, as the market is saturated, there are fewer true junior positions, the overwhelming majority of employers expect to see a CS degree and/or relevant experience, and if you think freelancing is easier, you'll quickly realize you're up against people who have far more references and reviews + those who are willing to do the job for half your price. Don't give up on your dreams and goals, but beware of all the dishonest influencers and grifters who are desperately trying to sell courses and programs to people who don't want to pursue a college degree.
I blame it on the Java developers... They've created so many classes that now the companies just need to create objects with those classes... Just a guy to create the objects inheriting the properties and methods...
God , someone who I can relate when it comes to this devil like language , I despised java in university, for this reason; before considering computer engineering I used to rock everything with C, at my second year my school focused more on java , I was ready to drop out! Didn't do it tho, but yeah the "how they made java was basically treating the next generation as dumb kmeciles ppl who always have to rely on pre defined rigid, stuff...
I think the web stack will be king for the foreseeable future. We now live in a web-centric world. Changes within the web stack happen very slowly, it's not like HTML or JavaScript could be replaced with something better overnight. So HTML+CSS+JS are going to be very competitive for many years. Back-end technologies can change faster, but there's still a huge ecosystem around PHP, Node, etc. The only thing that could potentially disrupt things anytime soon is AI, like if we suddenly don't need to code anymore. It seems distant for now, but you never know.
If full stack web development is your thing, if you can be passionate enough, then yes. For me, the whole web development thing would be a living hell. I absolutely loathe everything web development related. In my 30 years as a developer, web stuff was the worst of the worst. Maybe my brain is the wrong shape or something. I just never could get my head around that stuff.
@@toby9999 Personally, I like back-end stuff such as Node, databases, DNS, APIs, deploying to CDNs, and so on. The front end is not my cup of tea. Besides, I'm a coder, not a designer. The times I had to create a complete website, including choosing fonts, colors, layouts, etc, I struggled, I took forever and the result was mediocre.
Some degree of flexibility across languages and tools is obviously beneficial, but too much of it just dilutes one's core skills - that's in my opinion.
Another dev voice claiming that "it doesn't matter which language you learn". Out of the languages that were popular 40 years ago, the only ones where your code might still be relevant to existing projects and which would definitely get you a job are C and C++. Not FORTRAN, COBOL, or lisp. Devs need to be useful in their old age--Not victims of fads.
I’ve been trying to switch to SE from testing but it’s just not happening for me now I am trying to brush up my Java skills I know oracle sql but it’s becoming a frustration trying to switch career and I feel like I am running out of time by the way I am 43yo, sometimes I am thinking about switching to trade jobs like electrician. What’s the best approach uncle Stef? Good luck all!
Running web servers on Android phones for a decade is impressive! If you're looking for the "next" step, HarmonyOS could be a compelling direction, especially with Huawei's focus on cross-device integration and IoT ecosystems.
Why not?!? Especially if being part of teams working on huge systems used by A LOT of people around the world looks like a nice perspective for you. But java + spring boot is (IMHO) also okay for software on smaller scale or personal projects you make for fun or to help with your daily stuff.
WP isn't a good way to ship websites. Imo it's mainly used by beginner webdevs and not full-blown webdevs. Learn to write your own code - Astro, headless CMS. There are also many tools that will allow your clients to add or change content visually. In time you'll be shipping much less buggy and much more stable websites, insanely more performant and optimised. And you won'T have to worry about "does a plugin exist for this feature??" Complete control and X freemium plugins with limited functionality is what seperates good webdevs from the bad ones.
@@papanzi clients want wordpress because they want to be able to edit their own website. Their website will usually be a site that needs a contact form and a space to write company blog posts. And with the expandatbility to turn it into a store and sell things one day or book meetings. Wordpress is a goat for this. And nothinf comes near it in terms of cost and ease of use for the client. As for the bugs, just get a decent theme and use reputable plugins with lifetime licenses! A good knowledge of wordpress and knowledge of HTML and CSS and you can build 80% of things businesses will need. Sure it may not be bespoke, but clients dont want bespoke. They just want something that works!! Sure you may not make much money but you can still make a comfortbale salary if you are single in most western countries doing this work. If you want to make higher salaries then yes, learn all those other things to be able to do that 20% of work wordpress cant do. But you actually gotta find that work.
@@papanzi that's like saying go mill your own wood so you can build a table. Makes no sense. WP is a great platform and you can extend it with your own code as much as you want while having a great base without reinventing the wheel.
@@marwanak10 No? You just use different tools, more modern and better for the job than WordPress. Are you a webdev that's afraid of HTML? Cool, you're not a webdev then. Sure you can build your code on top of it and build a whole theme or your own plugins (which i don't recommend unless you're really good), but if you get to this point, why don't you just use some kind of SSG paired with headless CMS. These sites are faster, more flexible and extendable, much more optimized for SEO, you cannot top that with WordPress.
Please please, pretty please, don´t become a developer in 2025, especially not a web developer! We´re allready 500 unemployed juniors for every job opening!
It’s difficult to determine how regional this problem is. But from an anecdotal view, a lot of unemployed technical people seem to be frontend web developers, followed by lecturers in those technologies and then finally HR/recruiters. -The economy is rough and everyone is struggling.
@@smallbluemachine That is the truth. I title myself as a full stack developer, but I recently graduated from a frontend education. Of my 30 classmates only 3 have managed to find employment
I followed your advice end of 2022 to take a look at PHP. This year alone PHP/Laravel has brought me around $68,000 as an independent contractor. As somebody from a "third world" country in Africa this is just on another level. I even bought a house!
Hello, can you help me. Can you provide a detailed roadmap throughout your transition ?
Congratulations!!! 🎉 Good job!!
@@j_Uy_8qwi8HbC9XLt4kpvQ what could you offer for your ask?
That’s incredible
If you are open to freelancing still on Laravel projects let me know
5:25 Totally agree-focusing on fewer, high-priority goals with clarity and discipline always leads to better progress and peace of mind than trying to do too much at once!
Hey Uncle Steef Thank You for this video, I was confused about whether to go with Js or C# for backend and you removed my confusion and that language is not that important but becoming master of One which makes you master of All. ❤
2025, I'm gonna be involved!
Motivated, thanks Stef!
🖖
I wanna work without shoes too. Great video.
😂
you the man Uncle Stef, love your channel dude
Thanks! 🙏
I spent over 30 years in IT, around year 10 you stop caring about languages at all. Every new project comes with learning new languages and tools. Just get on with it.
Was it worth it?
In my case, it was C and C++ for 20 years. Then transitioning to java, and that sucked hugely. Massivelly over-engineered OOP code on steroids... and the java ecosystem itself, the tools, and the IDEs suck also.
I am a C++ developer. That's what I'll contune doing. I'm very fortunate to have been able to stick with what I enjoy for so long.
That said, Pascal was quite nice. Lisp was fun. I was passionate about assembly back in the day. Ada was cumbersome, but fortunately, it was not mainstream. But the so calked fullstack stuff is just a bloatware by another name. A load of ugly hacks layered on top of hacks.... html, css, js, etc... Perhaps acceptable in the client server domain, but some people use this stuff for developing applications aka bloatware.
Rant over 😀
@@toby9999thanks for your comment! My friend I’m thinking to get in the IT field. Which are you think 🤔 is better to go? Web development, mobile development, cybersecurity or cloud security? All this talking about AI now taking over has me confused 🤔
I appreciate your insights!
I asked you cus I see you have long time in IT.
Yes we like your hat !
I’m transitioning from a completely different field. I just completed my CompTIA A+ cert. When I started, I thought I wanted to pursue more IT certs, but watching your UA-cam videos over the months has me more interested in Web Development. I’m reading your Web Design book right now to wet my beak. I’ll be starting a self paced coding course this week. Your channel has been an immense help.
Glad I am able to help. Hope you are enjoying the book.
You have more chances of landing a job in IT than web dev (or any other type of programming). I am not saying it's easy, but there are far more jobs in IT support and networking (cloud and cyber security aren't entry level roles) than web dev.
Also, any type of programming role generally requires a CS degree and/or experience. Very few people get hired as self taught candidates or boot camp graduates.
Needed this!
Glad I could help!
Thanks 👍🏽
Thanks Stefan, this video is giving me motivation.
Awesome, glad to hear it!
Loved your advice!! Thanks❤
Glad it was helpful!
👍👍 Always excellent content!
I appreciate that
Always sound predictions :D
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thumbs up for some grounded predictions and advice, and most importantly - for the hat
Very true
It's amazing what you can actually build with HTML CSS JS
The hardest switch I every made was from punch cards to keyboard entry
How dare you betray Herman Hollerith for a bunch of buttons
Predictions 2025: still a nightmare for self-taught candidates and boot camp graduates, as the market is saturated, there are fewer true junior positions, the overwhelming majority of employers expect to see a CS degree and/or relevant experience, and if you think freelancing is easier, you'll quickly realize you're up against people who have far more references and reviews + those who are willing to do the job for half your price.
Don't give up on your dreams and goals, but beware of all the dishonest influencers and grifters who are desperately trying to sell courses and programs to people who don't want to pursue a college degree.
2025 will be about the viral use of ai coding tools and many noobs who will be lost in their projects, just like me at the moment.
Hey Stefan, i am thinking of becoming Wordpress developer in 2025. Is it still - long term - good career choice? Thx
Yes
Nice
Thanks
I blame it on the Java developers...
They've created so many classes that now the companies just need to create objects with those classes...
Just a guy to create the objects inheriting the properties and methods...
God , someone who I can relate when it comes to this devil like language , I despised java in university, for this reason; before considering computer engineering I used to rock everything with C, at my second year my school focused more on java , I was ready to drop out! Didn't do it tho, but yeah the "how they made java was basically treating the next generation as dumb kmeciles ppl who always have to rely on pre defined rigid, stuff...
sir is golang is good lang to learn?
It’s a good option.
Hi . Mr.Stefan
👋
I think the web stack will be king for the foreseeable future. We now live in a web-centric world. Changes within the web stack happen very slowly, it's not like HTML or JavaScript could be replaced with something better overnight. So HTML+CSS+JS are going to be very competitive for many years. Back-end technologies can change faster, but there's still a huge ecosystem around PHP, Node, etc. The only thing that could potentially disrupt things anytime soon is AI, like if we suddenly don't need to code anymore. It seems distant for now, but you never know.
If full stack web development is your thing, if you can be passionate enough, then yes. For me, the whole web development thing would be a living hell. I absolutely loathe everything web development related. In my 30 years as a developer, web stuff was the worst of the worst. Maybe my brain is the wrong shape or something. I just never could get my head around that stuff.
@@toby9999 Personally, I like back-end stuff such as Node, databases, DNS, APIs, deploying to CDNs, and so on. The front end is not my cup of tea. Besides, I'm a coder, not a designer. The times I had to create a complete website, including choosing fonts, colors, layouts, etc, I struggled, I took forever and the result was mediocre.
Some degree of flexibility across languages and tools is obviously beneficial, but too much of it just dilutes one's core skills - that's in my opinion.
I'll be happy if the AI madness finally ends.
A man can dream.
Thanks for Sharing your thoughts. but I'm still concerned about that because of AI Web App Building Platforms, what do you think about that?
Not an issue.
Another dev voice claiming that "it doesn't matter which language you learn". Out of the languages that were popular 40 years ago, the only ones where your code might still be relevant to existing projects and which would definitely get you a job are C and C++. Not FORTRAN, COBOL, or lisp. Devs need to be useful in their old age--Not victims of fads.
Hey Uncle Stefan, could you please make a video about cloud Computing?
Sure
I’ve been trying to switch to SE from testing but it’s just not happening for me now I am trying to brush up my Java skills I know oracle sql but it’s becoming a frustration trying to switch career and I feel like I am running out of time by the way I am 43yo, sometimes I am thinking about switching to trade jobs like electrician. What’s the best approach uncle Stef? Good luck all!
I run web server on Android phones for a decade. But what will be next? Harmony?
Running web servers on Android phones for a decade is impressive! If you're looking for the "next" step, HarmonyOS could be a compelling direction, especially with Huawei's focus on cross-device integration and IoT ecosystems.
@@ciroelpersa3778 I will check with my friends from China if Huawei will sponsor such project.
I saw a video on the foss version, openharmony
Should I learn spring boot and Java? I live in montréal.
Check the job listings.
Why not?!? Especially if being part of teams working on huge systems used by A LOT of people around the world looks like a nice perspective for you. But java + spring boot is (IMHO) also okay for software on smaller scale or personal projects you make for fun or to help with your daily stuff.
Hey Steph, what do you think about webflow?
Good tool.
Am I too late to start learn coding from scratch??
nah, start with a basic course and if you really like programming do cs50x course
It’s never too late, even if you are retired you can start today and change your life in one year!
Yep. Within a year you can be on your way.
what about WordPress and WP Engine drama? should we move from WordPress?
no
WP isn't a good way to ship websites. Imo it's mainly used by beginner webdevs and not full-blown webdevs.
Learn to write your own code - Astro, headless CMS. There are also many tools that will allow your clients to add or change content visually.
In time you'll be shipping much less buggy and much more stable websites, insanely more performant and optimised. And you won'T have to worry about "does a plugin exist for this feature??"
Complete control and X freemium plugins with limited functionality is what seperates good webdevs from the bad ones.
@@papanzi clients want wordpress because they want to be able to edit their own website. Their website will usually be a site that needs a contact form and a space to write company blog posts. And with the expandatbility to turn it into a store and sell things one day or book meetings. Wordpress is a goat for this. And nothinf comes near it in terms of cost and ease of use for the client. As for the bugs, just get a decent theme and use reputable plugins with lifetime licenses! A good knowledge of wordpress and knowledge of HTML and CSS and you can build 80% of things businesses will need. Sure it may not be bespoke, but clients dont want bespoke. They just want something that works!! Sure you may not make much money but you can still make a comfortbale salary if you are single in most western countries doing this work. If you want to make higher salaries then yes, learn all those other things to be able to do that 20% of work wordpress cant do. But you actually gotta find that work.
@@papanzi that's like saying go mill your own wood so you can build a table. Makes no sense. WP is a great platform and you can extend it with your own code as much as you want while having a great base without reinventing the wheel.
@@marwanak10 No? You just use different tools, more modern and better for the job than WordPress. Are you a webdev that's afraid of HTML? Cool, you're not a webdev then. Sure you can build your code on top of it and build a whole theme or your own plugins (which i don't recommend unless you're really good), but if you get to this point, why don't you just use some kind of SSG paired with headless CMS. These sites are faster, more flexible and extendable, much more optimized for SEO, you cannot top that with WordPress.
Was anything said about predictions? Or I got deaf instantly?
Uncle Stef why you standing up?? 😂
I don’t know!
🙂
Please please, pretty please, don´t become a developer in 2025, especially not a web developer! We´re allready 500 unemployed juniors for every job opening!
It’s difficult to determine how regional this problem is. But from an anecdotal view, a lot of unemployed technical people seem to be frontend web developers, followed by lecturers in those technologies and then finally HR/recruiters. -The economy is rough and everyone is struggling.
@@smallbluemachine That is the truth. I title myself as a full stack developer, but I recently graduated from a frontend education. Of my 30 classmates only 3 have managed to find employment