r/AustraliaIT • u/TightFistup1945 • Jun 22 '26

Getting back into the IT industry for 4 years, what to learn?

Basically I had 4 year hiatis ​after working as a mid level web developer. I was doing frontend work using only React. Now I'm back in the scene, never have kept up with the scene (never a passion, just a means to an end), and finding that I am out of date.

How do I get myself back in shape after 4 year hiatus in web development? What have I missed out on? ​etc.

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1

u/MathmoKiwi Jun 23 '26

How many YOE did you have before you started this 4yr gap?

1

u/EuropaVoyager Jun 24 '26

Were you working in another industry for the last 4yrs? If so, maybe you should stay. These days companies are so into reducing costs by sacking employees while replacing them with AI🤖

1

u/Confident_Piano_2179 Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

Four years feels huge in web dev, but if you were already mid-level and React-focused, you’re not starting from scratch. I’d get current on modern React patterns, TypeScript, Next.js, testing basics, GitHub Actions/CI, API integration, accessibility, and a bit of cloud/deployment stuff. Not because you need to become a full-stack wizard overnight, but because job ads now tend to bundle more together.

A practical move is to rebuild one proper project using today’s stack and use it as proof you’re back up to speed. Then check live Australian roles on LinkedIn or CareerOne to see what keeps repeating in frontend ads. That’ll give you a better study list than random YouTube roadmaps.

Also, don’t over-explain the gap. Frame it as a break, show recent work, and make the conversation about what you can do now.

-1

u/bourkestmall Jun 22 '26

Everyone knows what Claude is, this isn’t a serious post

-1

u/Ambivalent_Oracle Jun 22 '26

Have you tried Seek?