PyLadiesiQea15

Which tradeoff? Full stack/backend vs excitement about product

I have 1.5 yoe with primarily backend development. I would like to grow my skills in backend development, particularly system design. Some of the companies I'm interested in have a fullstack culture: they want all their engineers to work across the stack, barring a few exceptions. Other companies hire specifically for backend engineers, but I am less excited about their product. Which tradeoff did you make? Has anyone here done primarily backend development before, then joined a company with a fullstack culture and thrived?

Add a comment
FutureEngine QHXW24 Aug 18, 2018

Full stack engineers are in far greater demand. They can move faster and companies kinda get 2 for the price of 1. Expect full stack engineering roles to grow over time and you will have lots more options down the line if you are able to pick up this skill set.

SAP Raj5432 Aug 18, 2018

I was a backend engineer but right now I am a full stack. I feel being a full stack, I m a jack of all trades but master of none .

StubHub FreeMasons Aug 18, 2018

In my opinion especially startups and series B,C prefer people to work across stack. Once a structure is into place people get segregated based on their preferences. Once a company gets matured and needs to scale, backend engineers rule and get the most buck

eBay pogjuice Aug 18, 2018

I had 3 years of back end and in this past year chose to join a full stack team in an attempt to gain a wider breadth of knowledge. As other comments have mentioned, a full stack role has the trade-off in that you will be able to know a little bit of everything but you will likely not be a master of anything. I personally feel like my back end learning curve has stagnated a bit since my role change but I like that I'm gaining basic front end knowledge. If being excited about a product is important to you and you are willing to put in the effort to expand into front end then go for it. If you are not excited about learning full stack then I imagine it would be difficult to thrive.

PyLadies iQea15 OP Aug 18, 2018

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.