My Journey to Becoming a Frontend Developer: A Self-Taught Path to Professional Growth


Mohamed Laraiche
April 13, 2025
Introduction
I’m Mohamed Laraiche, and I live in a small city in Morocco called Chichaoua. I’m a self-taught front-end developer, and my journey into the world of web development began in 2021. This blog post is a reflection of how I transitioned from a complete beginner to a skilled developer, learning one step at a time.
The Beginning: Building a Strong Foundation
Like many developers, I started by learning the basics, and here I'm talking about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I dedicated myself to mastering these core technologies, and it took me about nine months to gain a solid understanding. My first hands-on project was a simple to-do list application, which allowed me to practice building functional websites.
The Next Step: Discovering React.js and MERN Stack
Once I felt comfortable with the basics, I moved on to React.js, which opened up new possibilities for creating dynamic user interfaces. I also explored the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) and built my first full-stack application, Bloggy, a simple blog platform.
First Internship: Learning From the Experts at Yutapp
After honing my skills further, I started an internship at Yutapp, a tech company where I worked for three months alongside a talented team of engineers. During this time, I built a video component and participated in end-to-end testing using Cypress, a testing tool that greatly enhanced my skills in quality assurance.
Continued Growth: Mastering Modern Tools
To stay up-to-date with the latest trends in web development, I began learning Next.js, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS tools that are essential for creating high-performance, scalable web applications. During a short internship at Evold, I also gained experience with GraphQL, further expanding my technical toolkit.
Building My Portfolio: Showcasing My Work
As I continued developing my skills, I focused on building my portfolio. This includes projects like Beesound, a high-performance e-commerce website optimized for SEO, and Oreen, a car rental web application. I’m currently working on a doctor appointment scheduling app, aiming to build a well-rounded portfolio that demonstrates my ability to work with the latest technologies.
Looking Ahead: The Next Step in My Career
Today, I’m on the lookout for my first full-time job as a front-end developer, either remotely or on-site. If you believe my skills and experience could be a good fit for your team, feel free to reach out to me at laraichemohamed@gmail.com. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and ready to take on new challenges.
Conclusion
Building a career in front-end development is an ongoing journey, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made so far. By staying curious, learning continuously, and seeking hands-on experience, I’ve transformed my passion into a professional skill set. I look forward to the next chapter in my development journey.