Should Developers Learn SharePoint?

The title of an developer may seem straightforward, but the landscape of web development is constantly evolving. As a professional in this field, remaining competitive and valuable means keeping your skills up-to-date. One pertinent question often arises: should an developer also learn SharePoint? Let's explore this topic in detail.

The Power and Utility of SharePoint

SharePoint is a highly powerful and versatile tool. Tailored for managing complex business processes and content, it's widely adopted by many organizations as the go-to solution for document management, collaboration, and intranet sites. Many corporate environments are deep into SharePoint because of its ability to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of Microsoft technologies, which makes it an indispensable platform for large-scale organizations.

Commercial Demand and Salaries: Even if you're not deeply versed, the median billable rate for a SharePoint developer is similar to that of an developer. However, it's crucial to note that there are fewer SharePoint jobs available compared to jobs in general.

Investing in SharePoint vs. Developing Versatility

Transitioning from being a mediocre SharePoint developer to an outstanding one is no small feat, and it requires a significant investment of time and resources. This specialized knowledge, while valuable within the SharePoint ecosystem, is less broad-based and less transferable to other areas of web development. As such, this investment might be more wisely directed towards acquiring other skills that are more universally applicable.

Mobile and Web Development Skills: Learning mobile development, responsive design, and front-end technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, advanced JavaScript, can significantly enhance your career prospects. These skills are in high demand and can be applied across multiple platforms, which means you aren't tethered to a single technology stack.

Staying Ahead of the Tech Curve: Continuous learning is the key to staying relevant in the tech industry. Technology evolves rapidly, and learning about cutting-edge web development techniques will help you remain competitive in the job market.

Considering the Market and Specialty Skills

The decision to learn SharePoint ultimately hinges on your career goals and the market demand in your area. If you are fortunate enough to work in an organization that consistently utilizes SharePoint, knowing how to leverage its capabilities can be a significant asset. However, if the need for SharePoint development is not prevalent in your work sphere, the time spent on mastering these skills may be better directed elsewhere.

Personal Interest and Market Trends: Some might argue that the ability to create sandbox solutions for SharePoint using web parts is valuable. Web parts integrated with SharePoint now can be found on marketplaces, but the question remains whether larger enterprises will rely on these solutions from individual developers. This highlights the importance of aligning your skill set with current market trends and the specific needs of your employer or clients.

Development Flexibility: Ultimately, a SharePoint developer should still learn , CSS, and JavaScript, even if they are not primarily focused on SharePoint development. These skills are prerequisites for any web developer working on Microsoft's stack, not just SharePoint. Mastering them can broaden your skill set and make you a more versatile professional, which is a valuable trait in today's diverse tech landscape.

Conclusion

While SharePoint can be a valuable tool, and the decision to learn it should certainly not be made lightly, the need to understand and develop in , CSS, and JavaScript remains essential for any modern web developer. The tech industry evolves every day, and staying up-to-date with multiple skill sets is crucial for long-term career success.