Tips for Advancing as a Backend Developer?

Hi there!

I’m a recent CS grad working in cybersecurity but really want to get into backend dev. I’ve been learning C# and .NET Web API for about 6 months now.

I’m hoping to find remote work on the side but feel like I’m not making much progress. Anyone else been in this spot before? What helped you improve your backend skills, especially when learning on your own?

Any advice would be awesome. Thanks!

As someone who transitioned into backend development, I can relate to your situation. One strategy that significantly accelerated my progress was contributing to open-source projects. This not only honed my skills but also exposed me to industry-standard practices and collaboration workflows.

Another crucial step was building a portfolio of personal projects. Start with small, manageable applications and gradually increase complexity. This hands-on experience is invaluable and gives you tangible examples to showcase to potential employers.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Joining developer communities, attending virtual meetups, and engaging in forums can provide insights, mentorship opportunities, and even job leads. Stay persistent, and remember that consistent effort over time yields remarkable results.

yo, been there! my advice? build stuff. lots of it. start small, then go bigger. i made a bunch of side projects n it rly helped. also, check out some youtube tutorials - theres tons of good ones for backend. keep at it, youll get there!