Hi there! I have been working with CSS for some time now and feel pretty good about the basics. I can recreate most websites using CSS and handle responsive design fairly well. But I still have trouble with complex layouts and some media query situations.
I’m trying to figure out my next step. Should I keep working on CSS and learn advanced stuff like grid systems, animations, and CSS variables? Or would it be smarter to jump into a CSS framework like Bootstrap or Tailwind to work faster? Another option is to move on to JavaScript and start learning about making websites interactive.
My goal is to become a frontend developer who can work on real projects. What do you think would be the best path forward? Any suggestions would be really appreciated!
Honestly, I’d jump straight into JavaScript now. You’ve already nailed responsive design - that’s the hardest part. CSS Grid and Flexbox are useful, but you can learn them later when you actually need them. JavaScript is where things get exciting and what employers really want to see. Once you get DOM manipulation and event handling, you’ll feel like a real developer instead of just styling things.
Framework experience matters way more than people think when job hunting. I wasted tons of time perfecting vanilla CSS, then found out most companies expect you to know at least one major framework. Bootstrap’s still huge in enterprise, while Tailwind dominates newer startups. Learning frameworks doesn’t mean ditching CSS fundamentals - it builds on them. You’ll hit situations where you need to customize framework components, and that’s where your CSS knowledge pays off. Pick either Bootstrap or Tailwind based on what local companies use, then learn advanced CSS concepts as you run into them on real projects. Skip the interactive stuff for now - good styling skills are actually rare and companies value them.
I made the transition to frontend dev, and here’s what I wish I’d done differently: master CSS Grid and Flexbox first. Don’t touch frameworks yet. Those tricky layouts you’re wrestling with? They’ll click once you really get these fundamentals down. I wasted months bouncing between different methods instead of nailing the basics. About JavaScript vs advanced CSS - strong CSS skills actually make you stand out more than you’d expect. Most devs rush to JS and end up with weak styling chops. Give yourself another month or two with CSS custom properties and basic animations. When you can build any design confidently, job applications become way less intimidating. Skip frameworks for now. Really understanding CSS makes picking up Bootstrap or Tailwind super easy later when you actually need them.