Roadmap to Your First Fullstack Developer Job

Step-by-step guide to learn coding, build apps, and show your skills. Study 10 hours a week and be job-ready in 13 weeks.

Weekly Hours: 10
Estimated Weeks: 13

Phases

Start Coding Basics

Learn how web pages and basic programming work. Build simple sites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Practice to get comfortable reading and writing code.

3 weeks

Understand how web pages load
Write simple code in JavaScript
Style pages with CSS
Use browsers to test code

Write HTML for websites (basic profile page)
Style with CSS (custom colors and fonts)
Write loops (JavaScript for counting numbers)
Use browser DevTools to fix errors

Free HTML Learning Platform
Interactive JavaScript Lessons
Beginner CSS Guide

Code and publish a styled personal profile page (hosted on GitHub Pages)
Add at least three HTML elements and two CSS styles
Write and run one JavaScript loop that prints numbers

Frontend Fundamentals

Dig deeper into JavaScript and learn a frontend tool (React). Build interactive pages. Work with forms and update the page without reloading.

3 weeks

Use React to build components
Manage simple page navigation
Handle input forms
Practice state management

Build components (React clickable button)
Store and show user input (React state)
Make pages switch without reload (React Router)
Test what shows up on the page (React Testing Library)

React Beginner Documentation
Video Guide: Building with React
Simple State Management Tutorials

Build and run a React page with routing (navigation with links)
Make a form that takes user input and shows a result (React)
Write one test to check if a button is rendered

Backend Basics

Learn how to create the backend using Node.js and Express. Set up your own simple API and connect it to a database to store and retrieve data.

3 weeks

Write your own server (Node.js and Express)
Design simple REST endpoints
Connect to a database (MongoDB)
Test the API with real data

Code an API endpoint (Express: /users route)
Save and get items from a database (MongoDB: user list)
Check endpoint works (Jest API test)
Use Postman for API requests

Node.js + Express Starter Guide
MongoDB Beginner Tutorials
API Testing with Postman

Create a working Express API with at least two routes
Link the API to a MongoDB database and save sample data
Write one API test that checks if data is returned

Fullstack Showcase Project

Put everything together to build one deep fullstack app. It should let users register, log in, and manage simple data. You will build, test, and deploy this project.

3 weeks

Build a fullstack app (frontend and backend working together)
Use routing, forms, state, and database
Test all key features
Deploy the app online

Connect frontend to backend (React fetch from Express API)
Implement authentication (registration and login form)
Write feature tests (Jest and React Testing Library)
Deploy app (Vercel or Render hosting)

Fullstack App Video Course
Guide to App Deployment
Testing Fullstack Apps

Deploy a working fullstack app online (demo live link)
Pass all feature tests (minimum five Jest tests)
Publish code with README and CI badge (GitHub Actions)

Prepare for Job Hunting

Get your portfolio, CV, and online profiles ready. Practice talking about your app. Apply for real jobs and get feedback.

1 weeks

Build a portfolio page
Update your CV and LinkedIn
Write clear project descriptions
Practice interview basics

Describe your project (README with project features)
Prepare a short job pitch (project walkthrough)
Find and apply to entry-level jobs (job boards)
Answer common interview questions (behavior and code)

Portfolio Website Templates
Guide to CV Writing
List of Common Coding Interview Questions

Publish a portfolio with project and links (live site + GitHub)
Apply to at least five jobs
Practice answering three common interview questions

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Learn HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript	Build a strong foundation for all web development work.	Write an HTML profile page (Notepad or VS Code), Style elements with CSS (set background and fonts), Practice JavaScript loops and alerts (console log)	Personal profile page online, Basic styled web page code
2	Build confidence with coding and testing changes	Quick feedback helps you learn and debug faster.	Use browser DevTools to try code changes, Add new elements (lists, images) to HTML, Make a simple calculator page (JavaScript button)	Interactive web page (calculator or quiz), Updated profile with images
3	Review basics and prepare for frontend frameworks	A strong base speeds up learning new tools.	Review and fix any HTML or CSS problems, Read about web components (React basics), Set up React in your editor (Create React App)	Checked and corrected basics project, React project starter running
4	Learn React and build small components	Modern sites use component-based design.	Create a clickable button (React component), Add and update text on click (state change), Split page into header, content, footer components	React app with three components, Button changes content when clicked
5	Handle forms and simple navigation with React	Forms and navigation are common app features.	Add form to React (user input), Show form data on submit, Set up router for multiple pages (React Router)	Form captures and displays input, Two navigable pages in React
6	Learn testing for frontend apps	Testing helps catch bugs early.	Write a test for a React button (React Testing Library), Test form submission returns correct result, Review failing tests and fix code	Two passing React tests, Test report in project folder
7	Set up Node.js backend and simple server	Backend shares data between users and app.	Install Node.js and Express, Create simple API endpoint (/hello route), Send JSON response to user	Express server running, Returns JSON at endpoint
8	Add database to backend and connect routes	Storing data is core for fullstack projects.	Connect Express app to MongoDB (cloud or local), Add route to save user info (POST request), Add route to get user list (GET request)	User data saved and retrieved from database, Test endpoint with Postman
9	Test backend and practice API requests	Reliable APIs are needed for good projects.	Write API test for save user (Jest), Test error cases (missing data returns error), Document API in README	API test with passing result, Documented API endpoints
10	Start building fullstack showcase project	One deep project shows your skills and learning.	Design project structure (React + Express in folders), Set up frontend-backend connection (fetch API data), Plan main features (user registration, login, data list)	Showcase project folder started, Feature list in project README
11	Add key app features: forms, state, authentication	Common, real-life features for fullstack jobs.	Build registration and login forms (React), Connect forms to backend (fetch API), Save user session state (React)	Working user authentication, Users can log in and log out
12	Test, document, and deploy the showcase app	Deployment proves your coding and project skills.	Add at least five feature tests (Jest, React Testing Library), Write detailed README (app setup, features, usage), Deploy app online (Vercel or Render)	Live deployed app link, README and test badge
13	Prepare for job search	Presenting your work and applying gets you interviews.	Build a simple portfolio with project link, Update your CV and LinkedIn profile, Apply to at least five entry-level jobs	Live portfolio with showcase project, Job applications sent