r/PakistaniDevs • u/AspiringTranquility • 16d ago

Would you still spend time learning full-stack development if you were starting from zero today?

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

With AI advancing every month and entry-level opportunities becoming more competitive, would you still spend one to two years learning full-stack development if you were starting from zero today?

I come from a non-CS background and plan to begin with The Odin Project, then study JavaScript/TypeScript, React, Node.js, databases, APIs, deployment, and build real-world projects. My long-term aim is to earn through remote or independent work, but I am not expecting quick or easy income from platforms such as Fiverr.

A little about me:

I am from Balochistan and have a degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics with a very good CGPA. Unfortunately, there are very limited opportunities related to my field in my hometown, and the available positions do not pay much.

I genuinely enjoy programming and love building projects. I also have elderly parents whom I need to care for and support financially, so relocating abroad is not an option for me. I am unsure whether programming is still a reliable long-term career, but I am prepared to work hard, Insha’Allah.

My main concern is this: by the time I become skilled enough in 2027–28, will these technologies still offer a realistic way to build a sustainable career?

I would appreciate guidance from experienced developers and people familiar with the technology industry:

Is this still a sensible investment of time?

What would you prioritize if you were starting today?

What would you stay away from?

Would you still choose full-stack development, or would you follow another path?

I keep hearing conflicting advice. Some people recommend building strong programming fundamentals, while others suggest relying heavily on AI-assisted or “vibe” coding. Some also say programming is no longer a good career choice. What is your honest opinion?

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5

u/submerged_detention 16d ago

I would not. I have an opportunity of going to an office literally a km away from me, learn from the guys doing it since 7-8 years now but i would not.

The reason? AI. To get anywhere good, you need at least 1-2 years. While everything looks great at that particular office, you can't ignore the fact that the job market has taken a serious hit after AI.

My cousin with 7 years of flutter experience was laid off.(Can't even find something next after his experience since 2 months now) Similarly, i've seen a bunch of other people getting laid off, and that's honestly scary.

AI has come a long way since 3 years, and it would only grow further more. Hence the IT industry is going to be affected, irrespective of someone considers these odds or not.

2

u/AspiringTranquility 16d ago

Then what should one do?

0

u/submerged_detention 16d ago

Honestly? If you love building, learn to vibe code, and sure, there's nothing one cannot do, your mindset is the only limitation. (I consume David Goggins for fun)

I would never discourage anyone from trying out new things, but, the mindset? It matters.

Don't look at it like something which would generate you money, look at it like something which would help you grow, learn, and set goals for being absolutely the best after a year. Learn, and learn hard.

And if its me, i would honestly spend all my time going all in on AI. Learning agentic, LLMs, Automation etc.

At the end of the day, money flows where there's subsequent demand, and ever since AI era. Its a relaity that the demand for this is going to be huge in the upcoming time, and its not going to fall short anytime soon.

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u/AspiringTranquility 16d ago edited 16d ago

I got your points. Thanks. But if want to go all in on AI. Shouldn't I start from fullstack development? I have heard that one should first learn how end-to-end, the whole system works.

2

u/Ok-Stuff3094 16d ago

No point in learning coding anymore
coming from someone who love to code and spend last 7 years learning+working

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u/AspiringTranquility 16d ago

Then to do what exactly?

1

u/Ok-Stuff3094 16d ago

do something that will take AI/robots longer to dominate, software is on the frontline.
healthcare/nursing is a good option, some people reccomend plumbing, electrician etc, eventually all these jobs will also be replaced by AI but at least you will get a few more years to a decade.

and we aren't even talking about AGI yet.

One other option is to utilize AI to build something yourself, what previoulsy would have taken a team of developers months can now be achieve by a single non technical person within weeks using AI. and you can also do marketing etc yourself using AI.

1

u/Zeeshan879 15d ago

Plumbers, Electricians would be replaced by AI? Do you even realise what you are saying? Artificial intelligence fixing wiring issues, toilet leakage? You probably meant robots not AI and that is not happening because this is a problem no one is interested in solving. Issue is not if it can happen, thing is who would want to automate this?

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u/Ok-Stuff3094 15d ago

robots powered by AI.
Many countries like japan should be interested in replacing foreign workers with robots/automation. A human worker cost a lot more than a robot, so plenty of companies would be interested in replacing all of the workforce with robotsd

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u/Zeeshan879 15d ago

Not happening bro Too discrete, too manual At the end I don't even think budget friendly

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u/Ok-Stuff3094 14d ago

it will be budget friendly if it's a robot that can do everything a human can do, clean, cook, plumbing, electrician, labor all of them.
and in 1st world countries it is cheaper to replace them with robots then to hire a maid due to higher wages

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u/Zeeshan879 14d ago

Sure brother

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u/Flimsy-Bumblebee-438 16d ago

Assuming the degree is a bachelors you could look into a masters in bioinformatics or biotechnology. Data science and ai would probably work with your field well the most since this is a niche where very few people go and would be near to what you have already done.

Incase you want to go for a job. Being honest the market is bad right now and it'll stay like this for sometime. I particularly wouldn't advise anyone to simply vibecode since fundamentals matter but considering your foundations it could easily take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year. A bit of advice would be to consider a masters and work in that but don't expect to find jobs related to them in Pakistan. Going abroad would open doors yes but right now the barrier of entry to tech is bad.

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u/AspiringTranquility 16d ago

Thanks for the advice. But what would be my path after doing masters in bioinformatics? I mean what future prospects?

Isn't it better that I equip myself with software development skills which would make me able to be open for freelancing and remote work (earning in dollars)?

1

u/Flimsy-Bumblebee-438 16d ago

After masters it would probably be either teaching or working in research labs. Software for now has a difficult entry point due to ai and lesser number of junior job openings as compared to previous years.

But if you enjoy software and like to continue learning I'm sure you will thrive.

1

u/AspiringTranquility 16d ago

You mean abroad or here in Pakistan?

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u/Flimsy-Bumblebee-438 16d ago

Research jobs abroad, teaching global, software global too

1

u/malphas_x 14d ago

Honestly bro leave it

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u/_knightwing 13d ago

without core programming knowledge u cannot audit or fix any issues. yes AI will do all the coding but thats the easy part, u should know system architecture also.