React is a phenomenon. This powerful JavaScript library from Facebook, ideal for creating interactive user interfaces, has completely transformed the front-end development landscape. Some of the biggest brands in the world use it, including Netflix, Airbnb, Walmart, and more. Despite the relative newness of the technology, React developers are already the highest paid front-end developers, and demand for developers with React skills is growing faster than any other developer type. The decision to be a professional React developer has seemingly become a very smart career move overnight.
The React Nanodegree Program
With the technology generating so much excitement, and so much opportunity emerging in the field, the timing is perfect to introduce Udacity’s newest offering: the React Nanodegree program!
As an organization committed to directly connecting learning to jobs, we couldn’t be more excited about this new opportunity for students to learn a wildly in-demand set of skills. Plus, this program represents something new for Udacity. To ensure we provide the best possible curriculum for our students, we have partnered with one of the most popular React experts in the market right now—React Training.
Built in collaboration with experts from React Training
React Training is a company whose name could easily stand in for both its mission statement and its value proposition. This is what they do—they train people on how to use React. They are distinguished by the quality of their work, and the caliber of clients they serve, including Google, Visa, The New York Times, Starbucks, and more. As React Training Co-founder Ryan Florence notes:
“80% of the people that we’ve trained are from Fortune 500 companies, so that gives you an idea of the size and scope of who’s using React.”
If it seems unusual that Udacity should partner with a training organization to launch a Nanodegree program, React Training’s Tyler McGinnis has a succinct answer for why the union makes perfect sense:
“React Training is really good at teaching React, and Udacity is really good at supporting students.”
The goal of this program is to equip you with the skills and experience you’ll need to become a professional React developer. As Tyler McGinnis describes it, you’ll “get your hands dirty with React right away.” As with all our career-ready Nanodegree programs, the focus is on learning-by-doing, and you’ll begin building your own projects right away.
Program Structure
The React Nanodegree program is a single-term program with a 4-month duration and a total cost of $499. The curriculum is made up of 3 courses and 3 projects. The courses are React Fundamentals, React & Redux, and React Native. In each course, you’ll build projects that enable you to master the relevant skills—you’ll then be able to demonstrate those skills by adding completed projects to your career portfolio.
When Tyler McGinnis highlights our ability to support students on their learning journeys, he is referring to features that are central to the Udacity learning experience, and which figure prominently in the structure of this new program, such as:
Mentorship: Every enrolled student of the React Nanodegree program will have access to mentors in the Udacity classroom. The mentors will get to know you, your learning style, and will be able to help you get exactly what you want out of your Nanodegree program. Each student will have a personal chat channel through which you can request and receive 1:1 on-demand support.
Forums: Each student will have access to an exclusive forum, where you can interact with your peers, and receive guidance and support from expert coaches, forum mentors, instructors, and dedicated staff.
Designated Slack Channel: Every Nanodegree program class is given access to a designated Slack channel where you can easily connect with your peers in real time. Nanodegree program communities are global communities, and the opportunity to learn from, collaborate with, and offer support to, fellow learners across the planet is one of the most enriching and valuable program benefits.
Companies Love React
React appeals to organizations because of its fluidity, and the beautiful, interactive, performant user experiences it makes possible. In a recent Medium post, Airbnb Software Engineer Adam Neary detailed the company’s transition to React, and describes their goals in making the change:
“We want the user experience to be fluid, adjusting what the user is experiencing as they explore and narrow their search. Navigating across tabs and interacting with listings should feel luxurious and effortless.”
Developers Love React
Developers love React for its flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. React Training Co-founder Michael Jackson puts it this way:
“As soon as I found React, I knew this was the right way to do things.”
Employers Love React
Employer demand for React developers is soaring, and salaries are increasing. When CNN Money included Front End Web Developer on their “100 Best Jobs in America” list, they stated the following:
“When websites look good and are easy to use, you have front-end developers to thank.”
That’s why employers love React developers. Because they have the ability to create incredible user experiences that become critical competitive differentiators for brands competing in an increasingly complicated UX landscape.
You’ll Love React
The unique partnership between React Training and Udacity offers students an opportunity that simply can’t be had elsewhere—the chance to learn React from the team that trains the world’s most successful companies, in a learning program focused on creating career opportunities for its students. The new React Nanodegree program is one of the most efficient, economical, and effective ways to master the skills and gain the experience necessary to become a professional React developer.
Enroll in the React Nanodegree program today!
Meet the instructors, preview the content, and learn more about the program in this video:
Udacity on Vimeo: Become a React Developer
