How To Become a Python Full Stack Developer (Only 5 Steps)

At Codegnan, our mentors have trained more than 30,000 students to start their tech careers (especially in Python and Java) and secure jobs and internships. 

From learning to getting high-paying jobs in Python full-stack development, we have noticed a learning pattern that most of our students followed. 

So, we decided to create this career guide where you will learn how to become a Python full-stack developer and get your first job or internship.

Step 1: Take a beginner-friendly Python Full Stack Developer course 

If you have a graduate degree or are a working professional in IT and non-IT domains, you can enroll in a Python full-stack developer course. These courses prepare you for front-end and back-end development, give you knowledge of managing databases, and use of other essential tools. 

You can do this by reading different blog posts or watching YouTube videos, but I wouldn’t recommend you do the same. It is because:

• It’s difficult to stay organized and follow a learning roadmap
• Learning by doing is far better than watching hours of YouTube videos and blog articles.
• Some blog post or YouTube videos speaks about old methods that don’t work with time

You can solve these problems by taking our structured Python full-stack developer course for beginners. It comprises concepts of the Python programming language, MySQL database, and Python library Flask, JavaScript, and ReactJS. 

Here’s the first lesson you will start learning with:

NOTE: Still, I won’t discourage you to not learning from free videos and blog articles if this is the only option you have. You can still become a successful full-stack developer if you have an interest and passion in the subject.

Here are the key subjects and topics you should be learning to become a full-stack developer:

1/ Python Fundamentals

Learning the Python basics forms the foundation of your entire skill set. A strong grasp of Python syntax, data structures, and control flow is essential for all Python development, whether it’s web development, data analysis, or scripting.

Here’s a breakdown of what typically comes under Python fundamentals:

1. Basic Syntax
   • Writing and running Python scripts
   • Indentation and code blocks
   • Comments
2. Data Types
   • Integers, floats, and complex numbers
   • Strings
   • Booleans
   • None type
3. Variables and Assignment
   • Naming conventions
   • Dynamic typing
4. Operators
   • Arithmetic operators
   • Comparison operators
   • Logical operators
   • Assignment operators
   • Bitwise operators
5. Data Structures
   • Lists
   • Tuples
   • Sets
   • Dictionaries
6. Control Flow
   • if, elif, else statements
   • for loops
   • while loops
   • break, continue, and pass statements
7. Functions
   • Defining and calling functions
   • Parameters and arguments
   • Return values
   • Default arguments
   • *args and **kwargs
8. Modules and Packages
   • Importing modules
   • Creating and using custom modules
   • Understanding the Python Standard Library
9. File I/O
   • Reading from and writing to files
   • Working with different file formats (txt, csv, json)
10. Error Handling
    • Try-except blocks
    • Raising exceptions
    • Custom exceptions
11. List Comprehensions
    • Creating lists using compact syntax
12. Basic Object-Oriented Programming
    • Classes and objects
    • Inheritance
    • Encapsulation
13. Scope and Namespaces
    • Local vs. global scope
    • The LEGB rule
14. Python Built-in Functions
    • len(), range(), enumerate(), zip(), etc.
15. String Manipulation
    • String methods
    • Formatting strings

2/ Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a crucial paradigm in Python, enabling the creation of reusable, modular code. It’s essential for building complex applications and working on large-scale projects. Understanding OOP principles helps in designing more maintainable and scalable software systems.

3/ Web Development with Flask

Flask provides an excellent introduction to web development concepts and how Python can create web applications. It’s lightweight and flexible, making it ideal for learning before moving to more complex frameworks. Flask knowledge is crucial for building the backend of web applications in your full-stack role.

4/ Database Management (MySQL)

Database skills are vital for most applications, as they allow efficient data storage, retrieval, and management. Understanding MySQL (or similar databases) is crucial for designing data models, writing efficient queries, and integrating databases with your Python applications.

5/ JavaScript

As a full-stack developer, JavaScript is essential for creating interactive front-end experiences. It complements your Python backend skills, allowing you to build dynamic, responsive user interfaces. Understanding both Python and JavaScript makes you versatile in full-stack development.

6/ API Development and REST principles

APIs are the backbone of modern, interconnected applications. Learning to create and consume APIs is crucial for building scalable systems. Understanding REST principles ensures you can design and implement standardized, efficient APIs that integrate well with various services and platforms.

7/ Version Control (e.g., Git)

Version control is indispensable for collaborative development and project management. Git allows you to track changes, manage different versions of your code, and collaborate effectively with other developers. It’s a crucial skill for working in teams and managing complex projects.

8/ Testing and Debugging

Proficiency in testing and debugging ensures your code is reliable and maintainable. These skills help you identify and fix issues quickly, improving the overall quality of your software. Automated testing is particularly important in continuous integration and deployment pipelines.

9/ Web Scraping and Data Processing

Web scraping and data processing skills allow you to gather and manipulate data from various sources. These capabilities are valuable for creating data-driven applications, automating tasks, and integrating external data into your projects. They expand the scope of what you can achieve as a full-stack developer.

10/ Deployment and Cloud Services

Understanding deployment processes and cloud services is crucial for taking your applications from development to production. Knowledge of platforms like AWS or Google Cloud allows you to scale your applications, manage resourc

Step 2: Build web projects using Python Full Stack Developer skills

It doesn’t matter how many research papers or books you read about full-stack development; you can never make a good career in the field without practical knowledge. 

Knowing the theory is important, but there’s no substitute for getting your hands on developing software and applications. 

You can create individual projects that are suitable for the present market. Then, host your servers on Heroku and websites on Netlify. These projects will showcase your skills and expertise to potential recruiters. 

As for what kind of project you should build, I recommend a simple e-commerce website. One image of such a website is given below. 

Find its source code here.

One project won’t be enough to build credibility or impression. I have listed below a few other Python full-stack projects with their source code.

1/ Food delivery app

You can create a basic food delivery app with certain features like user authentication, restaurant listings with menus, order placement and tracking, real-time delivery status updates, payment integration, and a review and rating system. 

This usually requires React or Vue.js for a responsive single-page application or React Native or Flutter for cross-platform mobile app development. You can also use REST or GraphQL to communicate with the back end. 

For back-end development, you can use Django or Flask for the main application server, Django REST Framework or Flask RESTful for API development, and Celery for handling background tasks.

Additionally, a database can be used to store and retrieve data efficiently within the application. 

Find the source code

2/ Chat messaging app 

The chat messaging app is a good full-stack project for beginner Python developers. You can add some basic features to the application, such as user registration and authentication, private and group chats, real-time message delivery, online or offline status, message history and search, file sharing, and push notifications. 

For front-end development, you can use React or Vue.js frameworks for responsive single-page application development, Redux or Vuex for managing application state, and Socket.IO libraries for real-time communication. 

For the back end of the application, use the Django or Flask framework and an SQL database to store and retrieve user data and messages. Additionally, developers can use JWT secure user authentication. 

Finally, to deploy the application, first containerize it using Docker and then use a cloud platform like AWS for hosting. You can also implement CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment.

Find the source code.

3/ Job board development

Another interesting full-stack development project for beginners is to create a job board that allows users to apply for jobs, track their applications, and more. 

You can add features like user authentication for job seekers, employers, and admins, a job posting and management feature for employers, resume upload and management for job seekers, advanced search with multiple criteria, email notification for applications and job matches, and an analytics dashboard for employers. 

For front-end development, you can use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For the back end, use frameworks like Django and Flask, RESTful API development, databases, and ORM for database interactions.

Find the source code.

4/ Weather application 

Weather application development is a common full-stack development project that uses Python frameworks and libraries. It can be used to forecast weather reports in different locations. 

The application’s key features may include location-based weather forecasts, current conditions displays, multi-day forecasts, severe weather alerts, user accounts for saving locations, historical weather data, and weather maps. For advanced application development, you can also add geolocation API integration for automatic user location.

For back-end development, use Python web frameworks like Flask and Django for server development, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end development, and databases like PostgreSQL or SQLite for storing user data, locations, and preferences and MongoDB for storing historical weather data. You can also integrate the application with external weather APIs for better results. 

Find the source code.

Step 3: Create an attractive portfolio 

When you are applying for your first full-stack development job, potential recruiters will want to know your skills and expertise in solving real-world problems. Most of them won’t be satisfied with only the mention of languages you learned or the databases you know. They look for your experience working on projects. 

Therefore, whenever you do a project, add them to GitHub. It not only shows how efficient you are in developing a full stack application but also your knowledge of Version Control systems and managing remote repositories. 

I have shared the login page of GitHub for your understanding. If you already have an account, log in to it; otherwise, you can register as a new user.

I found some of the top developers’ profiles on GitHub, whom you can follow. They are developing trending tools and have shared them on this platform, which is interesting to me. 

You can share your projects on GitHub and add the account link to your resume. It gives recruiters a complete understanding of your abilities. 

Here’s a few things you can do on GitHub 

• Set up a GitHub repository,  push updates regularly, and manage your projects. 

• Use Github’s issue tracker to open issues for new features and track their progress in issue threads.
• Submit pull requests to yourself to review and merge your own PRs, and add brief comments when merging. 

You can try GitHub Flow to learn GutHub’s pull request workflow for creating and reviewing code.

• Use feature branches to create new branches for features and merge completed features into the main branch.
• Write an informative README, explain the project purpose and setup, and include the deployment link.

• Include tests on core functionalities and run tests on the project. You review pull requests and merge a new feature branch.

Step 4: Get an entry-level job

Now that you have an interesting resume to share, it’s time to apply for an entry-level full-stack development job. Here are a few benefits why you need to do so:

• Earn while you learn: This isn’t the case when you’re sitting at home and watching YouTube videos on FullStack Development. It will certainly increase your knowledge, but you won’t earn from it. 
• Better hands-on experience: While working yourself, you might not achieve the experience that your seniors can provide while working on real-time projects. You will get to work on different types of projects under the supervision of senior developers and increase your knowledge.
• Build credibility and reputation: Working on different projects increases your reputation among future clients or employers. It ensures you have real-life experiences that bring a positive impact on your development project plans. 

To find better job opportunities, start by signing up for different full-stack development newsletters like Pycoder’sweekly, Code Project, etc. These sites keep you ready for the trending full-stack development requirements in the market and also offer certain remote opportunities. 

When I started looking for jobs on Indeed, I saw nearly 25+ entry-level Python full-stack job vacancies.

Now, I will show you the company requirements from a Python full-stack developer post. 

Besides that, you can also search for local companies and check their careers pages to find entry-level job opportunities.

Even though you won’t find any such positions listed on their website, it is still worth emailing them and asking for any future openings. Make sure to mention any full-stack development projects you have completed and your present learning status.

Step 5: Upskill yourself 

There is no ending to learning Python full-stack development. You need to choose some popular frameworks, databases, tools, and technologies to develop an application. 

Here are a few ways to upskill yourself 

• Join an advanced-level Python full-stack development program 
• Solve programming problems on a different website 

As a reference, I recommend you visit the free-programming-books repository.

• Go to local developers’ meetups for better discussions on trending concepts. 
• Attend developer conferences to learn about the new things that the market will require tomorrow. 
• Join different full-stack developer communities for support with resources and knowledge of tools.

Here’s an active Python community reference for you

• Listen to different podcasts and read newsletters 
• Follow top developers on YouTube and know what they are implementing 
• Follow full-stack developers on social media for better networking 

I can recommend you some experts to follow on Twitter, as below:

• Chris Coyier
• Mizko
• Aaron Layton
• Erik August Johnson
• Guil Hernandez 

How to Get Into Python Full Stack Development with no experience?

I have listed a few steps that you, as a beginner, can follow to get into Python Full Stack Development. It doesn’t require you to mandatorily come from an IT background. 

Step 1: Learn the basics of Python programming 

To get into Python full-stack development, you need to learn Python basics. Without proper coding skills, you won’t be able to develop well-functioning software. This includes understanding the data types, data structures, conditional statements, loops, strings, functions, exception and error handling, and a few more things to learn. 

You can enroll in our beginner-friendly Python course for in-depth knowledge in one month and gain hands-on experience on live projects. This is what you get from us:

If this seems costly, but you have a knack for Python, we provide you with a free Python online course of 135 lessons. See what it covers:

Step 2: Learn using web development technologies 

Full-stack development involves more than developing a server-side open application; you also need to design its front end. This means learning about different web design technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential. These languages ensure your website looks good, is user-friendly, and is highly responsive to all devices.

For HTML and CSS, you can learn the basic concepts from self-paced courses anytime. This ensures you are one step ahead of the Python full-stack development journey. 

Here’s what we offer for the JavaScript online course. This isn’t a free course, but it covers all the basic concepts that you must know as a full-stack developer. 

Step 3: Working with databases

To store and retrieve data for your application, you need to know the concept of database management. This includes learning different MySQL operations, use of operators, string functions, constraints, knowledge of data types, MySQL joins, and more. 

Step 4: Complete your graduation degree and enroll for a beginner course

To get started with Python full stack development, you need a minimum graduation degree in any subject. However, having a degree in CS (Computer Science) gives you an extra advantage as you know the basics of Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the use of databases during your course tenure. 

Step 5: Create a GitHub profile to share projects

Now that you have learned the basic concepts needed to become a full-stack Python developer, you need to develop projects individually or in a team. Create a GitHub account like this: 

This is how my screen looks after logging in to my GitHub account and creating a “private” repository. 

This is where you can share your new projects and share the account link on your resume so that recruiters can understand your skills and expertise in developing software or applications. 

To learn that process, click here.

Step 6: Join an internship program 

Practicing yourself is not enough to get real-life experience and prepare for job opportunities; you need industry experience. For that, I suggest that you apply for internship programs. These are usually for 2-4 months or may vary according to company requirements. Even though these can be paid or unpaid opportunities, they mostly provide you with a work experience certificate which is useful in landing a good job.

I suggest you enroll in our internship portal to expand your knowledge and skills with experts. Here’s what the internship program looks like:

You can also look for traditional job boards like Internshala to find full-stack development internship opportunities.

I am sharing what you need for such internships and what you can learn from a real-time Python full stack development internship post.

Step 7: Build a strong network of professionals 

You can create a LinkedIn profile to build a strong network of professionals. These networks help you learn trending tools and technologies and how they are used in full stack development. They also help you connect with potential recruiters. 

I am sharing the login page of LinkedIn with you; where if you have one, put your credentials to enter into the account or create a new one.

Once your account is created, you can share details of what projects you did, your achievements and certificates, and your skills with people. Start connecting with known people and then enter into their networks to meet professionals. You can also follow the experts’ newsletter for regular updates on full stack development. 

Step 8: Attend seminars, webinars, and workshops 

Attending seminars, webinars, and workshops is essential for upskilling yourself and learning about new trends. These offer opportunities to learn new skills or deepen your existing knowledge in specific areas of full-stack development. Additionally, you get chances to connect with peers, potential employers, and industry experts.

Another reason to join these events is to learn different solutions to real-world problems you can face during your career. 

Step 9: Earn a global certification 

Though reputed institutions offer you a course completion certificate with every course, earning a global certification helps you stand out from the competition. 

If all this seems a hurdle to you, get on with us on our 100-day Job Accelerator Program. You will learn about front-end development, database, server-side development, and backend technologies, along with hands-on training by industry experts. See what you can achieve from it:

What are the skills needed to work as Python full-stack developer by specialty?

Below, we have listed a few essential skills to become a Python full-stack developer.

• Basic Python concepts and syntax

Having a basic knowledge of Python concepts and syntax is the major requirement for Python full-stack developers. It includes understanding data types (integers, strings, and floats) and data structures (lists, tuples, and dictionaries), familiarity with conditionals, loops, and functions, and learning object-oriented programming. 

• Knowledge of Python libraries 

Python libraries provide pre-written tested codes to developers for faster application development. It ensures you don’t need to waste time writing these codes again and again. 

Some of the popular Python libraries are Tinkter, PyQT, Pandas, TensorFlow, and PyTorch.

The graph below illustrates the top Python libraries used by developers in India and globally.

• Use of Python frameworks 

Python frameworks like Django and Flask will help you develop the front-end and back-end infrastructure of your web applications. They comprise different packages or modules that offer developers default structures and components, accelerating the development process. 

Additionally, these frameworks often have built-in security features and protections that protect your application from common vulnerabilities. You can also get assistance from their large communities, which offer necessary resources, plugins, and solutions to your problems.

• Implementation of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript 

Full-stack developers not only focus on server-side scripting but also need to create interactive web applications. This requires you to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML and CSS focus on creating the look and feel of your website. They ensure the application is user-friendly and looks beautiful. 

On the other hand, JavaScript, AJAX, and jQuery tools help in creating interactive web applications. They ensure your application is both responsive and engaging. 

The graph below illustrates the top web frameworks and technologies used by professional developers in India and globally. 

Certain Python frameworks help in the development of front-end infrastructures for web, mobile, and desktop interfaces. If you want to run Python on the web, use PyScript, which allows developers to write Python codes and run them using HTML interfaces.

• Understand database management 

To work with application development, you must learn database management systems to effectively handle data storage, retrieval, and manipulation. You need to know about SQL databases like MySQL, Oracle, or PostgreSQL, as well as about NoSQL databases like MongoDB, BigTable, HBase, etc. 

The graph below illustrates the top 10 databases used by developers in 2023 according to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey. 

You need to understand database design and normalization, indexing and query optimization, ORM usage, scaling and replication, backup and data recovery strategies, and more. With this knowledge, you can effectively integrate databases with your Python project. 

• Learn Version Control System 

Knowledge of Version control systems like Git helps full-stack developers track changes to their codes, revert to previous versions, and manage different versions efficiently. It allows multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously and merges any changes on the codebase seamlessly to avoid conflicts. VCS also serves as a distributed backup system where your data is protected against any kind of data loss and allows code recovery.

Besides learning the basics of a  Version Control System, you will also learn about branching strategies, pull/merge requests, rebasing, cherry-picking, stashing, GitLab features, and more.

• Understanding of API development 

You must understand how to build application programming interfaces or APIs such that all your frontend and backend components of the application can effectively communicate with each other. This includes learning the RESTful principles, knowledge of API frameworks, data serialization/deserialization, API versioning, Rate limiting and throttling, and more. 

If you can properly design the APIs, your application will be easier to scale and maintain. It also allows you to incorporate third-party services, enhancing the functionality of your application. 

• Experience with server management and cloud services 

Python full-stack developers must understand the process of deploying and hosting to launch your application effectively. You can use different cloud platforms like AWS (Amazon Web Services), GCP (Google Cloud Platform), Microsoft Azure, or Heroku for application deployment. 

Listed below are the top cloud platform service providers of 2024. 

In terms of integration and deployment, developers have preferred AWS over Microsoft Azure. We have added an image to show you how these two top providers have been rated by users. 

Additionally, a full-stack developer needs to focus on containerization (e.g., Docker and Kubernetes) to manage applications and their dependencies. Developers can use tools (e.g., Nginx and Apache) for server configuration and management and use technologies like Ansible or Terraform for server deployment and automation. 

• Knowledge of testing and debugging 

You must learn to identify and fix errors within an application during the development phase. It ensures better functionalities for every component of the application. Developers can use unittest or pytest to automate their testing process and find errors early. 

Can you become a Python full-stack developer with no experience?

Yes, you can become a Python full-stack developer with no experience. But you need to complete a certification course, have hands-on practice on live projects, and have a portfolio of good real-world projects to attract potential recruiters. 

As you are a fresher, recruiters know you won’t have work experience to show. But there are thousands of others like you in the queue to get the job. In that case, your experience in developing individual projects will set you apart from the competition.

I found this interesting advice on Reddit for full-stack beginners to get a job.

How long is the Python full-stack developer course?

The Python full-stack developer course is usually 100 days or three months. At Codegnan, you can learn Python full stack development in 100 days, where our experts cover the theoretical concepts and provide you with practice sessions after every module.

Additionally, you get to work on live projects under the mentorship of top full-stack developers in the country. 

We prepare you thoroughly to get an entry-level job immediately after course completion.

Our certificates are industry-recognized, which helps our beginner developers build trust and credibility in the market. You can be the next after our 2800+ students to get placed in companies from top startups to MNCs. 

How long does it take to become a Python full-stack developer?

It takes 3-6 months to become a Python full-stack developer. But your learning journey doesn’t end there. To become a good full-stack developer, the time frame may go beyond 1 year. You need regular practice and constant upskilling yourself to stay updated with the current business demands. 

However, the timeframe required to become a Python full-stack developer varies for different reasons. For example, the amount of time to dedicate to learning, course syllabus and duration, how much practice you can do, internship or hands-on training duration, etc.

Final thoughts 

Becoming an expert in Python full-stack development is not a one-night process. It requires hard work, dedication, and a lot of practice. There’s no end to knowing about the tools, technologies, and techniques involved in a software development process. 

I would always suggest you enroll in a basic to an advanced training course, join regular practical sessions, apply for an internship, and earn the industry-recognized certificate. Also, make sure you are joining seminars, webinars, or short-term courses to keep yourself updated with the trend. This will help you land a good full-stack development job.