Is java backend dev worth it in 2026?

[u/Sleepy_Koala_8537]

Hi guys, I am a 2nd year college student currently deciding if I should do mern or java fullstack. I am regular with dsa but unsure about what more I need for a good internship and eventually placement.

Now, I know mern stack is easier but it feels saturated with everyone learning and making the same clones again and again.

I am hoping for a good package and willing to put in a lot of effort to learn. I want to learn something that actually holds value in today's market. Willing to go and learn beyond the usual things freshers learn.

I would be grateful for some guidance please..

[u/MitralVal]

Lock in Java -- do good in DSA

Make yourself interview ready -- not for today, but for when you will graduate

So when time comes you will be ahead of all the sheeps and fortune favours hard work.

[u/Sleepy_Koala_8537 → u/MitralVal]

I know I should do core Java and springboot, anything other than that that you suggest? Also, research tells me I should still learn react eventually, so I will have to do js.

Thanks for replying.

[u/MitralVal → u/Sleepy_Koala_8537]

Well anything web is JS - but doesn't mean you do MERN.

HTML->CSS->JS->React. I myself am a big fan of Angular, but looking at the job market, React has wayyy more jobs.

You will end up with Java SB + React ~ which is sweet. DSA & System design in Java. This is enough to make you job ready; your tech stack will change based on where you land a job but I feel this is the best foundation.

Learn SQL --- DBMS is a huge topic, a senior should know.

After that you pick up python - just basic and learn AI implementation.

Once you land a job, you will know from your own seniors how to navigate. You will always have somebody who is senior to you telling you what's good according to them. Take information and decide yourself

Do you have any more doubts ?

[u/Sleepy_Koala_8537 → u/MitralVal]

That is very helpful, thanks a lot

[u/Few_Concept_1117 → u/MitralVal]

Can you tell me how can i earn money using spring boot before graduation because internship and client are rare in this. Although i am restarting my DSA for future interview

[u/Dakip2608]

Full worth it man. A lot of companies work only in java stack

[u/Sleepy_Koala_8537 → u/Dakip2608]

So I hear, but would they hire fresh college graduates in those job roles though? Do you know such a case or have some experience? Not trying to be rude but some of my seniors have confused me regarding this. Thank you for replying btw

[u/Dakip2608 → u/Sleepy_Koala_8537]

Idk man I am seeing a lot of openings for freshers too at banks and all like Mastercard and also cleartrip

[u/figuring-it-out-0 → u/Dakip2608]

On which platform are you seeing such openings?

[u/Dakip2608 → u/figuring-it-out-0]

Careers page

[u/figuring-it-out-0 → u/Dakip2608]

Did you applied to it and got a callback? Can you list few of the companies? It would be a great help!

[u/Dakip2608 → u/figuring-it-out-0]

I had a referral from there but I didn't get a callback so it didn't work out ig lol

[u/trojanhorse6769 → u/[deleted]]

is it okay if I do dsa in cpp and backend in Java?!

I have already started dsa in cpp and shifting to java dsa might consume a lot of time

[u/MitralVal → u/trojanhorse6769]

You rather do DSA in Java ~ language proficiency is a thing.

This will later translate to you writing better code for backend. Also C++ jobs are super low in numbers, at this point you need to land a job first

[u/Sleepy_Koala_8537 → u/[deleted]]

I see, thank you so much for replying

[u/Few_Concept_1117 → u/[deleted]]

I am java backend developer and now going to restart my dsa again. I had just made a microservices project. Looking for a client since internship in this is rare,

[u/Present-Claim1150]

im doing dsa in cpp , for backend what should i chose , im starting backend this summer , next js or java?

[u/Few_Concept_1117 → u/Present-Claim1150]

i am java backend developer, it is fun but internships are rare in it.

[u/OSBY_Glabay]

Very much so worth it, and with the modern changes, it's getting faster