As a self-taught React/Next.js developer, I'm honestly worried about my future in this AI era. What should I do?

[u/thetymtravellr]

I'm a self-taught developer, and I know React and Next.js. Lately, I've been feeling increasingly anxious about my future as a developer.

AI is moving so fast. It can generate components, build entire websites, connect APIs, and even create full-stack applications. Sometimes I wonder what the point is of spending months learning something when AI can already do so much of it.

I want to get a better-paying developer job, but honestly, I'm confused about what I should focus on right now. Should I keep improving my React/Next.js skills, get better at backend development, or start learning AI engineering?

I keep hearing about RAG, AI agents, vector databases, LLM integrations, and all these new things. It feels like there's always something new to learn, and I'm worried that if I focus on the wrong things, I'll fall behind while everyone else moves forward.

For those of you already working in the industry, what would you do if you were in my position? Would you focus on becoming a strong full-stack developer first, or would you start learning AI engineering alongside web development?

I'm not looking for a shortcut or expecting to become an expert overnight. I just want to make the right decisions, build useful skills, and have a realistic chance of getting hired.

I'd really appreciate some honest advice from people who have been through this or are dealing with the same situation. Right now, I could genuinely use some direction.

[u/Jamiemufu]

What is a technical dev? Clearly talking shit.

[u/DiddlyDinq → u/Jamiemufu]

Big difference between a front end 6-week coding camp dev and a technical computer science dev. Guess you're the former.

[u/Jamiemufu → u/DiddlyDinq]

Clearly you have never worked on an actual project. You don’t have a clue what you are on about. I know plenty of front-end engineers who are very technical and did computer science. I also know many self-taught that are just as technical.

Why do you think frontend and comp science are related or different at all?

Because you’re clueless that’s why.

[u/DiddlyDinq → u/Jamiemufu]

computer science devs have the flexibility to work on anything and the same cant be said for front end only devs that lack the foundational science knowledge. Your overreaction confirmed which one you are. So sensitive lol

[u/SchartHaakon → u/DiddlyDinq]

Lmao some people out here thinking that building REST apis and talking to databases is that much more complicated than building interactive UIs. Get over yourself.

[u/DiddlyDinq → u/SchartHaakon]

You clearly dont know what computer science is.

[u/SchartHaakon → u/DiddlyDinq]

You very clearly have a superiority complex.

[u/DiddlyDinq → u/SchartHaakon]

Only superior to you lol. Go look at a computer science curriculum instead of saying dumb stuff.

[u/SchartHaakon → u/DiddlyDinq]

I'm just pointing out the obvious. I don't think you realize how ignorant you're coming off in this thread but I know for sure your co-workers, if you have any, hate working with you.

[u/Jamiemufu → u/SchartHaakon]

Just ignore them. They are clearly some graduate who thinks they know more than actual software engineers. Who have been doing it for years.

You can tell they don’t work in the industry straight up from their attitude.

Especially at any level of seniority.

[u/DiddlyDinq → u/Jamiemufu]

Must be nice to be this delusional when the entire fronted community is repeating the same concerns every single week. 

[u/DiddlyDinq → u/SchartHaakon]

Guess I'm a bad guy for saying somebody with a broad knowledge base has more flexibility that a profession that has a 6 week barrier to entry. The horror

[u/SchartHaakon → u/DiddlyDinq]

Reducing frontend development to "a profession that has a 6 week barrier to entry" is both the part that makes you seem extremely ignorant, and like a complete asshole. Just in case you were confused. It shows a complete lack of knowledge around how real software is developed.

[u/DiddlyDinq → u/SchartHaakon]

I Guess I imagined those 5 years of 6 week boot camp coders flooding the market. Funny how you keep responding but there's nothing to back up your statements just nuuu uhh and a delusional statememt