Ruby on Rails - worth learning in 2017?

Ciaranimo

Hi

I have just finished a degree in Computing and one of the modules we had was focused on developing with Ruby on Rails, I really enjoyed the project and using Ruby on Rails and feel i have a good foundational knowledge of it but am still in the beginner stages with it.

I am fairly proficient with Java and JavaScript and I think I would like to get involved in web development using something like RoR as I found it very enjoyable to build web apps.

I'm now trying to come up with a plan in order to get a job and I have noticed that there are not many listings for RoR jobs in Dublin on the major sites.

I guess my question is, is it worthwhile for me to continue learning RoR or would I be better off concentrating my efforts learning something like the MEAN stack, or ReactJS?

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks

srsly78

Better to learn a more general technology, rather than some specialist web framework.

Ciaranimo

what would be some suggestions on more general technology to learn?

I wasn't so much looking to learn just a specialist web framework, I think I have a good basis on alot of the concepts such as MVC etc but from what I have read React & Angular are very different ways of building apps.
I'm just unsure as to whether it is worth my time building web apps using RoR to learn and improve my portfolio of projects if it is not going help me in the ultimate goal of getting hired.

srsly78

All of that stuff you mentioned is front-end related, whether the interface be web or otherwise.

Go learn python instead, very broadly applicable and easy to learn. Loads of jobs.

punk_one82

Ciaranimo wrote: »

what would be some suggestions on more general technology to learn?

I wasn't so much looking to learn just a specialist web framework, I think I have a good basis on alot of the concepts such as MVC etc but from what I have read React & Angular are very different ways of building apps.
I'm just unsure as to whether it is worth my time building web apps using RoR to learn and improve my portfolio of projects if it is not going help me in the ultimate goal of getting hired.

I suppose the first thing to do is look on whatever jobs websites are used in Ireland at the minute and search for Ruby on Rails jobs. See what's around and what other skills those jobs require. If you want to be hired as a RoR dev, then try that. You can upskill in other areas when you're hired. If RoR jobs aren't easy to come by (I've no idea what that market is like at home), then maybe look at learning another framework like React or Vue. If you're proficient with Ruby, Java and Javascript then you should be fine learning new frameworks.

Edit: Missed part of the OP where you said there weren't many jobs on the sites, my bad. If you want to do frontend dev and you know Javascript then look at making something in React. If you want, then maybe make a java backend using Spring Boot or something. Tie it all together with different tech and you'll get a job no problem.

Ciaranimo

Thanks man, you've given me alot to think about. Appreciate your commnet

colm_c

As a graduate there's no point in only looking for jobs in one framework/language.

You need to get experience under your belt, so look for jobs in the general area of web development / frontend development if that's what you are after.

An employer will expect you as a graduate to know feck all, and so they will help you upskill in the area they are working. The most important thing is aptitude and problem solving skills.

Bear in mind, the web and especially in the frontend & javascript area, frameworks popularity and preference change like the wind.

The most likely companies who are looking for RoR engineers in my experience is small startups/product companies.

DefinitelyMarc

colm_c wrote: »

As a graduate there's no point in only looking for jobs in one framework/language.

You need to get experience under your belt, so look for jobs in the general area of web development / frontend development if that's what you are after.

An employer will expect you as a graduate to know feck all, and so they will help you upskill in the area they are working. The most important thing is aptitude and problem solving skills.

Bear in mind, the web and especially in the frontend & javascript area, frameworks popularity and preference change like the wind.

The most likely companies who are looking for RoR engineers in my experience is small startups/product companies.

Pretty much this, it wouldn't be very believable that you're a true-blue Ruby on Rails developer when they know you're also just a grad. There's no real credibility behind it without a bunch of projects/work that you can show for it.

I'd also like to say that you can get a rough idea of language/framework popularity in Ireland by looking at job websites online. I too have only seen Rails used in smaller shops/startups.

Also, don't believe for a minute that what happens over in the America's applies to over here. Rails is still quite popular over here and JavaScript is not nearly as abundant in my experiences. Java is certainly popular with the bigger companies though.