From BBA to MERN Stack Developer: Mousom’s Inspiring Career Transformation

People try to figure out what their real calling is, even after graduating from college. Some people who aren’t from a technical background have a great interest in the technical field. And, that’s not indecisiveness; that’s finding your purpose. Mousom Ray, now a MERN developer, was one of those people.

But can you switch from a non-tech background to the IT field? Yes. But you require proper training from a comprehensive MERN stack development course.

Plus, switching from a non-IT background to IT is possible with clear motivation, genuine interest, and the proper skill development, as shown by Mousom’s journey from BBA to MERN developer. India’s booming IT industry welcomes learners from all backgrounds. Still, success depends on mastering core skills such as JavaScript and MERN technologies, as well as continuous upskilling. Along with technical expertise, grooming, communication, discipline, and hard work are crucial to cracking interviews and sustaining a career in IT.

Let’s discuss our interaction with him. Before that, we have to understand how practical it is to shift your career trajectory.

Is it Possible to Switch to IT Without Having a IT Background?

Before the pandemic, getting a software development job was considered a tough nut to crack. Although many students, especially those from non-tech backgrounds, wanted to shift into the tech domain, there was a lack of awareness of the ways to do so.

In professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, you will come across a lot of posts like this:

“I’m excited to share that I have got a job offer from Google as a Software Developer with a CTC of 50 LPA.”

A job profile like that with such a huge package is too good to be true, especially for students with a non-IT background. While money is the biggest motivator, it isn’t the only one. Let’s see how.

Mousom is one example of someone who switched his career from BBA to becoming a skilled MERN stack developer.

“First of all, he didn’t have any technical background, as he came from a BBA. However, he was not interested in marketing. Due to this lack of interest in marketing, he chose this path. Instead of marketing, he got interested in coding. Back then, during their college days, someone recommended that they pursue a coding career and see if it suited them. Just because of his interest in coding, he came to Webskitters Academy.”

Mousom’s father says this during our interaction with Mousom and his parents. Before switching your career from non-IT to IT, you should ask yourself these simple questions:

• Why do you want to switch your domain from a non-tech to a tech domain?

• Which IT domain are you passionate about?

• Why IT?

We know that educational qualifications aren’t everything, and there’s no age limit to learning something.

While it’s a fact that certain companies want candidates with a technical background, if you’re passionate enough, learn the skills, and acquire knowledge, you are bound to get here.

As for Mousom, this shift was possible because he was also interested in coding. Without a vision and an interest, you can’t be satisfied with a job that looks attractive.

As Mousom was interested in coding, he chose this path. But there are other IT fields to explore as well.

If you want to know more about other IT courses for freshers, you can check out our top picks: IT Courses for Freshers: Top 4 Picks to Kickstart a High-Growth Career.

Now that we know how to switch your career from non-IT to IT, let’s explore the state of software development in India.

This is important for every future MERN stack developer or software development enthusiast.

The State of Software Development in India

The Indian IT industry is booming right now. It is even dominating the global IT landscape. Statista suggests that in FY24, India generated around 191 billion USD in export revenue. Naturally, India is called an IT Outsourcing Hub.

Not only that, but Statista also reports that the Indian IT industry creates millions of jobs.

Because of this, Indian youth tend to get driven towards the IT domain. Even the people from core branches like Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical are starting to venture into the IT domain.

Gone are the days when the IT industry domain was dominated by Computer Science and Information Technology graduates. Now, anyone and everyone can make IT their career.

If you are looking for the top job-oriented IT courses for freshers, you can check out: Top Job-Oriented IT Courses for Freshers in India.

In a nutshell, the future of MERN stack development (as with any other software development field) holds great promise. Let’s now discuss the skills needed to become a MERN stack developer.

What are the Skills Required to be a MERN Stack Developer?

Despite India’s reputation as a leading global outsourcing hub, its job crisis looms large, with only 42.6% of graduates employable. There is indeed a skills gap in India. The only way to deal with it is to acquire skills or upskill.

Like any other graduate in India, Mousom’s journey wasn’t easy. However, it was fulfilling. When asked how he learnt coding without a technical background, he smiled.

He was always passionate about coding, and that passion fuelled his journey.

“It all started with C, C programming, which is the mother of all programming. Slowly, from there, it transitioned into the main JavaScript, and it went on.”

On one hand, the C programming language is the foundation for MERN stack development (and for every kind of web development). On the other hand, JavaScript is important. To understand the skills of a MERN stack developer, we need to know the components of the MERN tech stack.

1. MongoDB

This is a NoSQL database for storing and managing data. MongoDB is highly scalable and guarantees exceptional performance.

This MERN stack component uses JavaScript. So, JavaScript is the first skill a MERN stack developer should learn.

2. Express JS

This component is used to develop the backend of web applications. With the help of Express JS, one can build multi-page, single-page, and hybrid applications.

Express JS is highly scalable and efficient in nature. For this component, one must know JavaScript.

3. React

React is a JS or JavaScript Library that is used in frontend development. That means this component is used to design and create UIs, especially for Single Page Web Applications.

A MERN stack developer must master this frontend framework. The web app becomes incredibly fast if React is used.

Fun Fact: React is used as the frontend framework in apps like Netflix, Twitter, Uber, and Reddit.

4. Node JS

A MERN stack developer should be good with Node JS, a runtime environment. This component is easier to learn than the others.

For that, you need a strong foundation in JavaScript.

So, these components are the main things that one learns as a MERN developer.

If you want to learn more about the MERN stack development course, check out : MERN Stack Course: Learn to Build and Deploy Full-Stack Apps.

Does learning the technical part only make you a MERN stack developer? No, it’s not!

How Important are Grooming Classes to Crack IT Interviews?

When asked about interview preparation, Mousom emphasised the importance of grooming.

“Grooming classes were there, as it is quite difficult to face HR round and managerial round where they do a lot of cross-questioning. So, the grooming classes taught us how to deal with the HRs. A technical interview is all about technical knowledge.”

Many factors beyond your technical skills are required to crack an interview. The way you greet, dress, and articulate your thoughts, and so on, also matters in interviews.

We all have grown up hearing this: Communication is the key to success. Just as communication is crucial in your personal life, it is also pivotal in corporate success. So, proper grooming is also necessary when acquiring technical skills for interviews.

Grooming is necessary for establishing a commendable first impression. Your technical skills indeed reign supreme in interview environments. But your presentation (with a blend of professional etiquette and confidence) can make you stand out among other candidates.

While you may think grooming is all about appearance, it also encompasses a candidate’s overall presentation and demeanour. A well-groomed candidate is always associated with qualities like preparedness, seriousness, and enthusiasm.

Is Enrolling in a MERN Stack Development Course Enough?

We asked Mousom if he would recommend enrolling in a MERN stack development course. Although he stressed the need to acquire skills as a MERN stack developer, he said the students would have to work hard to achieve it.

“Yes, I’ll definitely recommend them. However, they have to work hard for it. Those who’ll work hard, Webskitters Academy will always be with them.”

You must have come across people who are really good at something. We all have come across such personalities. We think, “I wish it were that easy for me!” Sometimes, we even say that they have a natural talent for it.

Yes, they have a god-given talent for it. But, there is something more powerful that we fail to notice: hard work.

It is not easy to be a MERN stack developer. While a passion for it can fuel you, hard work is essential to excel in this field. That’s because:

• Hard work can make you understand the concepts on a much deeper level. It can build MERN stack development skills while deepening your understanding of the field’s nuances.

• If you work hard, you will always bounce back. This is important because web development is a challenging field. So, not giving up is a priority for every MERN stack developer.

• For a MERN stack developer, discipline is a needed quality. In times of crisis and challenges, you have to put consistent effort. Hard work makes you responsible, disciplined, and focused.

If Mousom Can Do It, You Can Do It, Too!

This story is an excellent example of how hard work, resilience, and passion can fuel success. It doesn’t matter if you’re from a technical or a non-technical background. If you’re passionate enough and want to put in effort, you can shift to any field.

Though gaining technical skills should be your top priority, you shouldn’t neglect the power of grooming. A blend of both can make you a top applicant in any company.

Do you want to know more about the way you can acquire skills while grooming yourself? Webskitters Academy is here for you.

Book a call with us and let our career counsellors help you!