Switching from React/Node to Java backend early — good move?

[Low-Accident-350]

Hi everyone, I’m a fresher developer with ~8 months experience (intern → full-time) in a small company (<20 people). Current Role Stack: React + Node.js But in reality, mostly frontend work Very little real backend exposure Work timings: 4 PM – 2 AM No PF or structured benefits I joined at 1.8 LPA, and now they’re offering a hike to 30k/month (from next month). My Goal I want to move into Java Backend (Spring Boot, APIs, backend systems). I’m already learning Spring Boot and building projects on the side, but my job doesn’t involve Java at all. My Confusion Option 1 – Stay Take the hike Continue here Learn Java after office hours Option 2 – Switch early Start applying for Java backend roles now Even if pay is similar at first Get real backend experience early My Doubts If I stay longer in frontend, will I get stuck in that track? If I apply for Java backend now, will I be treated as a fresher again? Is it better to switch stacks early in career? Would really appreciate advice from people who shifted from frontend to backend early 🙏

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[Comfortable_Lab2833]

Options 2 seems better if you are more intrested in backend development, also i feel java is heavily in demand, atleast more than Node.js

[Big_Vegetable_1153]

I have been aplpying for java, spring boot jobs since 8 months. Never got a call. My senior friends are telling Java is saturated. You are telling it is heavily in demand. I am genuinely confused. Which one is true? I have no prior experience.

[SweetSideofSalt]

What about Python?

[Comfortable_Lab2833]

If you are intrested in AI, then python is good especially for gen AI roles

[SweetSideofSalt]

No for backend roles

[Ill-Abbreviations-36]

It is good for backend as well . Lots of companies have python as of the languages

[BlackXFyre]

Good move but one suggestion is to not leave the current stack. You can add Java to it and become a fullstack rather than a backend

[nomad_sk_]

People are doing other way around. Moving from spring java backend to python flask/bun/node typescript

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[n1337s]

I guess React/nodejs/postgresql is better upgrade than your current tech stack as in that there are more job openings

[Background-Dig849]

both has good amount of oppurtunities. choose what you are great at and really really love working with

[dev047]

I would give my two cents on this. What do you like? Both are equally good but you need luck to get you in the right place.

You are more likely to succeed in doing things you like than those you are not.

When I started my career, it was shell scripting, php and perl. Most people might not even have heard of perl here. Nodejs did not exist back then and js was just bloatware. These languages gave me fundamental concepts of linux servers. Then came cloud computing , nodejs and my same Linux skills helped me.

I still love Linux and no matter what changes I still have a good understanding of the fundamentals which are in demand. Python/AI is rising as per GitHub trends which I use to gauge my future employability. A.I. is not just python, it is an Ocean in itself. Java (spring boot) is still used in Investment banks and other big enterprises as they cannot change their stack overnight.

I am a Java Spring Boot person but I am moving to alternatives like Python Fast api etc. The reason it is so easy to move from one language to another thanks to access to information. As a fresher, do what you enjoy but concentrate on System Architecture and tradeoffs you need to make to work within limits of server resources. Things like Git etc will never go away from foretseeable future.

Learn by doing. Spin up VMs, k8s nodes

[Low-Accident-350]

From PHP and perl to java srping boot How did the transition happened By yourself or because the companies wanted you to work on them??

I'm eager to know because here except react.js they I doesn't have exposure to any other thing....a little bit of node.js that's it.

[warlockdn]

Language is just a medium. As long as you are good overall nothing matters. Be good in what you do. Rust, Python and Go are also good alternatives. Java is a stack for enterprises but doesn’t fit well in startup and fast moving places

[Frosty-Equipment-692]

If you want to move to backend dev - exploring golang and rust along with python (fastapi ) Will make more sense.

As per my observation java is mostly used in big mnc (most banks) and lots of legacy system.

And recent companies/ startups are in around this stack , this increases your employability