As we look forward to the vaccine-influenced future beyond COVID-19, one of the very few things we have lived over the past 9 months that may actually have a positive lasting impact on society is that often there are advantages to accomplishing things virtually. Working remotely, meeting via Zoom, online appointments, grocery delivery, even doctor visits have screamed past proof-of-concept for situations most of the world had previously not considered. 

So many more applications that rely on the web are more ingrained in daily life since COVID forced them on us. With this incremental leap in mass adoption of web technologies, web development (and for the purpose of this article, Drupal) will continue to play a major role as the world leverages online tools more, and for more applications. This suggests that Drupal positions (which total more than 1,600 listed on Indeed the first week of December this year), may open up even more in the future.

So, for those who conceive, create, and maintain current and future tools, or people considering these careers, the future looks pretty bright. Those of us in the community know that even beyond the new growth potential, Drupal and web development has a lot to offer; so, we humbly share these 5 great reasons you may want to consider 2021 as a good time to get serious about your Drupal dexterity if you want to expand your skills, get up to speed or even pivot your career to seize the day and opportunity: 

1. Web Development Careers have a lot of opportunity! 

 It’s hard to find an article about promising careers without web developer positions seated in the upper tiers. According to recent article by CNBC, Web Developer careers are in the Top 15 High Demand jobs over the next 5 years. Indeed puts it at #10 for careers most in demand right now; and the US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates that 2019’s total 174,300 web developer positions will grow by about 14,000 over the next 10 years, a higher rate than most vocations. 

2. The Path to becoming a Drupal Web Developer is accessible. 

If you have the desire and commitment to become a Drupal professional, you can! Drupal training is available through go your own pace options like Drupalize.me, with focused training sessions live and online (Evolving Web, Mediacurrent) and of course, might we suggest the longest running, long-form career technical education program through DrupalEasy Academy; Drupal Career Online. There is also plenty of advice out there like DrupalEasy Career Resources and How to start a Web development career.

3. Flexible schedules and virtual work are prevalent in the Web Developer World

Life in 2020 changed work for a lot of people, but remote working is nothing new in the world of web developers. Drupalists, both those employed by organizations and those who choose to freelance, have a long and successful history of working from home, or wherever they find great wifi and interesting surroundings, there are state of the art tools that support teams who are spread out specifically catering to this efficient, low-overhead way of doing business. Add “virtual” to your job search on Indeed or Career builder, and you can see hundreds of positions. 

4. Salary Data for Web Developers compares pretty well

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, The median annual wage in May, 2019 for web developers was $73,760. It gets better if you choose Drupal, as Indeed reports that, based on 188 salaries reported as of November, 2020, the average salary for a drupal developer is $95,642 per year in the United States.  You will have to get some experience and hone your skills, but with commitment and patience, the high-wage jobs are yours to strive for. 

5. Drupal Web Developers have a global community for support

Come for the code, stay for the community.  It’s not just a mantra.  The Drupal community has groups connected by topic, interests, service to the community and even outside interests.  There is nothing like it.  Even here at DrupalEasy, we have a micro community of past and current students that meet up every week to help each other work through projects, issues and provide support.  It’s our DrupalEasy Learning Community, and we like to think it’s a microcosm of the Greater, Global Drupal Community that makes our content management system, and the people who support it so outstanding. 

The next session of Drupal Career Online starts March 1, 2021, with the application deadline the last week in February. If you are interested in learning Drupal, honing your Drupal skills specifically in our longform Drupal Career Online, let us know, or sign up for one of our no-cost Taste of Drupal mini webinars coming up in the beginning of 2021.