Reading time: 6 min
Author: ITDS Team
| Short answer: to become a developer in Poland in 2027, pick one direction (for example frontend, backend or testing), learn one language well enough to build complete projects, show them on GitHub, and look for your first job through internships, academy programmes and junior roles. A degree helps but isn't required. Realistically, plan for more than a year of regular learning. |
You are thinking about a career in IT, but the advice you hear contradicts itself. Some say a three-month course is enough. Others say nobody hires juniors any more. The truth is in between, and success usually depends on whether you learn with a plan and have something to show a recruiter.
This guide is an honest plan: how to choose a direction, what to learn, how to build a portfolio and how to land your first developer job in Poland.
| In this guide | |
| Choosing a direction What to learn Degree, bootcamp or self-study |
Portfolio First job FAQ |
How to become a developer: start by choosing a direction
The most common beginner mistake is learning "a bit of everything". It is better to choose one path and reach a level where you can build something that works.
| Direction | What you do | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Frontend | The part of an application users see | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, then React |
| Backend | Logic, APIs, databases | Java, Python, C# or Node.js, plus SQL |
| Testing | Software quality, manual and automated tests | Testing basics, then automation |
| Data | Processing and analysing data | SQL and Python |
| Mobile | iOS and Android apps | Kotlin, Swift or Flutter |
| It is better to do one thing well than five things at course level. |
What to learn to become a developer
- One programming language, to the point where you write complete applications without copying ready-made solutions.
- Git, because you can't work in a team without version control.
- Database and SQL basics, useful in almost every role.
- Testing basics for your own code.
- Technical English, the language of documentation and of most international teams.
- Working with AI tools, now part of a developer's daily work. Learn to understand code yourself first, then use AI to go faster.
Degree, bootcamp or self-study?
| Path | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science degree | Solid foundations, internships, network | Several years, a lot of theory |
| Bootcamp | Structure, pace, mentors | Cost, risk of shallow knowledge |
| Self-study | Free or cheap, flexible | Needs strong discipline and a plan |
Each path can work. The result depends mainly on whether you build real projects along the way.
A portfolio that convinces recruiters
- Two or three complete projects instead of ten unfinished ones.
- Projects that solve a real problem, such as an app for a local club or a tool you use yourself.
- A clear README: what the project does, how to run it, which technologies it uses.
- Code with tests and a commit history that shows how you work.
| Already experienced and looking for your next step? See current ITDS roles. See open roles |
How to land your first developer job
- Look for internships and academy programmes. Many tech companies run programmes for juniors.
- Target junior and testing roles. Testing can be a good way into IT.
- Tailor your CV to the role. Projects and technologies at the top, not a list of courses.
- Be active in the community. Meetups, hackathons and open source bring contacts and experience.
- Prepare for the technical interview. Be ready to explain your projects: what you built, why and what you would do differently.
The junior market is harder than a few years ago, but demand for specialists remains high. According to Eurostat, more than half of EU companies that tried to hire ICT specialists in 2023 struggled to fill those roles. Experienced people are the hardest to find, so every year of practice quickly raises your value.
Once you start working, our guide to B2B vs an employment contract in IT explains your contract options. We also cover specific roles such as DevOps engineer and data scientist.
How to become a developer: FAQ
Usually from a little over a year to two years of regular learning, depending on how much time you can give and the direction you choose. Promises of a job after a few weeks of a course rarely come true.
No. A degree helps, but many developers started with a bootcamp or self-study. A portfolio of working projects matters most.
JavaScript if you are interested in frontend, Python if you are thinking about data or backend, and Java or C# if you are aiming at large companies and enterprise systems.
Yes, if you enjoy solving problems and are ready to learn regularly for a long time. Getting in is harder than a few years ago, but experienced specialists are still in demand.
AI tools are changing how developers work and take over some simple tasks, but companies still need people who understand the problem, design the solution and own its quality.
See open rolesIf you already have experience and are looking for your next project, see current ITDS roles in Poland. If you don't see the right one, send us your CV and we will contact you when a matching role opens. |