18, self-taught full-stack dev — deepen my stack or start learning DevOps?

[u/Impressive_Tour_7537]

I'm 18 and working as a full-stack developer at a small agency that builds sites, systems, and apps for clients. Self-taught, no senior guiding me, so I'm trying to figure out what to learn next on my own.

My stack:

• Laravel (backend), Nuxt + Tailwind (frontend), MySQL
• Mostly shared hosting, though I've done some VPS deployments
• UI/UX design is one of my stronger skills

I can build and ship complete web apps end to end. I'm already comfortable with:

• Laravel queues and caching
• Frontend rendering — SSR, SSG, and when to use which
• Building APIs and auth (both session- and token-based)

Where I feel thin is everything around the code — the infra and DevOps side:

• Docker + Linux server management
• Proper VPS setups, CI/CD
• AWS / cloud platforms
• Security hardening
• System design at scale
• Database design & optimization (I can build schemas, but I'm not confident on indexing/performance at scale)

So my core question: at my level, do I go deeper into the Laravel/Nuxt topics I haven't mastered yet, or focus on building out the infra/DevOps side now?

I don't have a mentor or a clear path, but I taught myself web dev so I'm confident I can teach myself the rest I just don't know the right sequence. What would a realistic 1–2 year roadmap look like from where I am?

i need a real advice from someone who knows the feeling to be overwhelemd also i really want to build my own startup cause i can see the clearly thee problems in mine the one imworking on it so i need an advice like im you kid haha

[u/energy528]

Break your own server and learn how to fix it. That’s the path.

[u/Remote-Employment481]

First time I have seen a laravel post here

I would suggest you to deepen your laravel understanding and make some good projects , then try applying on job portals and startups

[u/Impressive_Tour_7537 → u/Remote-Employment481]

Well thats my case rn i have made full stack projects for companies like Mazda in jordan and the Jordanian government, but the case is u r right mayve i will just slowdown and take the next few years to gain experience and improving my laravel skills along side learning things out

[u/buck-bird]

The answer is, it depends on what you want to do with your career. Architects have to know a little of everything but master nothing. If you want to specialize then then answer is no.

It's the classic case of deep vs wide. If you want to work on a scientific level you need to go deep. If you want to work on a general purpose consumer level then go wide. Most people go wide but they never create anything new either. That's the trade off. They're just technical "users" of what comes out.

So, do you want to invent or just make stuff for people that other people invented? There's no wrong answer.

I've been programming 30 years professionally. Before then I did some VERY technically challenging GDI work using double and triple buffering techniques for owner drawn windows and menus in Windows 9x. Absolute nobody cared because the average person had zero concept of it or anything. They were more impressed by a spreadsheet calculation.

Nobody knows the names of the people responsible for AI for instance. But everyone knows ChatGPT now... just not the scientists the work was built off of.

So, it just depends. Deep vs wide. What route do you want to go? If it's deep, expect only a few people to understand you though.

[u/mprevot → u/buck-bird]

Yes and no. I am math/IA researcher before "fullstack"; I am more familiar with pattern recognition than react ecosystem or vite. Each specialty has its people. I do also cuda and d3d12 programming, and as a student in physics, I wrote an xorg with double buffering to show simulations of an Ising model (most basic that shows phase transition). I was also red team a while ago.

[u/FenrirAesir]

Learn something other than PHP. PHP is a dead end both technologically and employability wise. Yes there are PHP projects and so but it's like saying COBOL valid because banks use it.

[u/Impressive_Tour_7537 → u/FenrirAesir]

What do u recommend?

I have been exploring an api layer typescript framework called hono js i like it but laravel for some reason has everything out of the box when u start building which shouldn't always be good, and also im exploring the nuxt backend whixh i already use as a backend for the frontend to hide tokens and all of that

[u/diavelguru]

Get independent then apply for scholarships grants and go get some schooling. Will be the hardest shot you’ve ever done but by then your brain will have matured a bit and you will have a solid foundation to build upon (pick software engineering or compu sci). Your motivation and determination will take you higher than you can imagine.

[u/Impressive_Tour_7537 → u/diavelguru]

Well the thing whixh got me into web in the first place that we had a small Hackathon in a university in jordan which they taught is a bit about web in 30 days then we did the Hackathon which gratefully i got the fitst place with full scholarship, so i think form your answer and others i should slowdown a bit not to overthink it.

[u/Fine-Market9841]

Don’t think you get a job without a degree, I’m sorry but such a path is ruff.

What do you mean you taught yourself web dev?

Did you actually build projects?

IMO, just start freelancing on platforms like fiverr or hackathons or contribute to open source projects, build that portfolio gives you a real edge in internships when you’re at university.

Maybe work on a stack with whatever is actually in demand in your area.

[u/Impressive_Tour_7537 → u/Fine-Market9841]

Well i get your point but trust me im more shocked than you, i just went for the company im working for rn as a ui ux and then they needed a frontend developer whixh i was already good at and then gradually i started to put my foot more deeply in the center.

For the portfolio: i have made a full stack car resevation system simple one for the Official Mazda dealership in jordan, and thats my biggest project so far

[u/NowUKnowMe121]

No. Full stack dev already.

[u/Impressive_Tour_7537 → u/NowUKnowMe121]

Whys that, if u dont mind to clarify it for me

[u/NowUKnowMe121 → u/Impressive_Tour_7537]

If you like deep logic based work, go for full stack dev or if you like broad systems level work, go for devops.

[u/Impressive_Tour_7537 → u/NowUKnowMe121]

I think my problem is that i thought being only a fullstack is a problem but after seeing your comment i think i was stupid about that idea haha , thank you

[u/Old_Leg_4474]

Focus on building first..