Is Javascript enough to get a Job?
Yes, gaining excellent skills in Javascript is enough to get a job, being a highly-skilled Javascript developer opens up many doors of opportunities.
You will be able to build frontend applications, server-side applications, mobile apps, desktop apps, games, AR & VR apps, and more using Javascript skills. (Assuming you are already familiar with HTML, and CSS.)
You also need to be familiar with Data structures, and Algorithms to increase your chances of getting a job, especially in big tech companies. Having a portfolio of your Javascript projects will also be helpful to attract the attention of employers.
Nowadays, Javascript has found many uses beyond the boundaries of frontend web development. there are a lot of Javascript frameworks and libraries that can help you to build applications in different fields. this means that you will have more opportunities even if Javascript is the only programming language that you know.
It is no surprise that Javascript is the most popular, and commonly used programming language. According to a 2022 survey by Stack Overflow, Javascript has been the most commonly used programming language for 10 years in a row. Its popularity continues to increase as it continues to be used for more, and more applications.
Javascript was built for the web, it is one of the core technologies of the world wide web (others being HTML and CSS), it is used as a client-side programming language by 98% of all websites on the internet. It is also used as a server-side programming language by 2.1% of all websites. (w3techs)
This means that if you have good Javascript skills, you can build a full-fledged web application for companies, or your prospective employers using only Javascript with the MEAN (MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, Node.js) or MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) stack.
Having a solid Javascript understanding opens up windows of opportunities to work on world-class projects in different fields. Here are some of the opportunities and the types of jobs you can apply for if you have excellent Javascript skills.
WEB DEVELOPER
With Javascript skills, you can become a fronted, backend, or full-stack web developer. For frontend web development, you can use vanilla Javascript, frameworks, and libraries such as React, Angular, Vue, Svelte, Bootstrap, MaterializeCSS, and more. There is a lot of demand for developers who are familiar with these frameworks, and libraries.
For the backend, you can use Node.js, Deno, or express.js to program the server-side logic of your web applications. You can also use MongoDB for the database, or firebase which is very easy for Javascript developers.
There are many companies you can look up to for employment that use these technologies. Some of the popular ones include PayPal, Verizon, LinkedIn, Forbes, Netflix, eBay, Uber, Trello, Expedia, Bosch, EA, Cisco, Google, Adobe, and many others.
Make sure to spend most of your time understanding how to use Javascript in Web development projects because web development is the biggest for Javascript, you are most likely going to be hired in a web development environment than in any of the fields mentions below.
MAKING MOBILE APPS WITH JAVASCRIPT
Another opportunity is to get a job as a mobile app developer. You can develop Android, and iOS mobile applications using Javascript frameworks such as React Native, Ionic, Cordova, Nativescript, etc. Some of these frameworks have been used to develop popular mobile applications.
For example, React Native was used to develop mobile applications such as Facebook, Instagram, Coinbase, Shopify, Oculus, FlipKart, Nerdwallet, Pinterest, Bloomberg, Tesla, Skype, Discord, Salesforce, Walmart, Wix, Vogue, and many others.
MAKING DESKTOP APPS WITH JAVASCRIPT
Another opportunity is getting a job as a Desktop app developer. Using Javascript skills, you can develop desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can use frameworks such as Electron.js, Tauri, and NW.js.
Electron.js is very popular, and it was used to develop desktop applications such as Visual Studio Code, Whatsapp, TwitterTron, QuickRedis, Figma, Twitch, Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams, WordPress, Slack, Pexels, Poddycast, and many others.
MAKING GAMES WITH JAVASCRIPT
Further, you can use Javascript to make games to attract prospective employers. Please note that Javascript is not used to make AAA-level games, but you will be able to make decent games that can entertain a lot of people. Most Javascript games target the Browser.
A good example of a game made with Javascript is Wordle, which was entirely made with Web technologies by Josh Wardle. You can also make 2D, and 3D games using game engines and libraries such as Phaser.js, Cocos2D, Melon.js, PlayCanvas, GooTechnologies, and many others.
Javascript game engines and libraries have been used to make games such as Sasquash, curvatron, Eraser, Pet Pop Party, Guilds of gods, etc. Javascript is mostly used for Browser, and mobile games.
MACHINE LEARNING WITH JAVASCRIPT
The long-reaching hands of Javascript stretch as far as Machine Learning. Knowing machine learning with Javascript also increases the chance of getting a job. You can be a Machine Learning engineer using platforms such as Tensorflow.js, Brain.js, Deeplearn.js, Neuro.js, Mind, and many others.
TensorFlow.js is popular and has been used for projects such as LipSync by Youtube, Webcam Controller, Emoji Scavenger Hunt, Teachable Machine, Performance RNN, Move Mirror, Pitch Prediction, Visualize Model Training, and many others.
AUGMENTED REALITY AND VIRTUAL REALITY WITH JAVASCRIPT
Further, you can seek jobs as an Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality developer. You can use a library like AR.js, which is a lightweight library for Augmented Reality on the Web, it is packed with features such as Image Tracking, Location-based AR, and Marker tracking.
You also use A-Frame, a web framework for building 3D, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality experience for, Desktop, mobile, and other VR platforms.
CONCLUSION
It can be seen that there are a lot of opportunities in different fields for Javascript developers. Javascript allows you to work on a wide array of projects. Ultimately, Javascript is enough to get a job as a developer, as long as you can invest your time in enhancing your development skills.
You must also make sure that you learn Data structures and Algorithms. Most, if not all major tech companies require a good understanding of data structures and algorithms.
