I did Meta’s iOs Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera

6 months later, here’s where I am today

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In March 2023, a couple of days after I completed Google’s UX Design Course on Coursera in 5 weeks, I was eager to dive into the Meta iOS Developer Professional Certificate to help me achieve my goals — at the time, it was to build my own mobile apps.

Meta’s iOS Developer Course takes approximately eight months to complete, given that you dedicate 7 hours a week to it. I was full of ideas and had already finalized some UX projects. Excited and very keen to design my next multi-million dollar app was an understatement. With that, I set myself a goal to become a mobile app developer in just 3 months. (I share my brief study plan with you in a photo below.)

In this guide, I’ll give you my honest personal review of Coursera’s popular course, my career progression since completing the Meta iOS Developer Professional Certificate, and where you, as a new designer stand, now that AI is vastly impacting the future of design and development.

Study Plan Screenshot by author for Meta’s iOS Developer Professional Certificate

The iOS Developer Course by Meta is made up of 12 units:

Unit 1: Introduction to iOS Mobile Application Development

The course starts off with the Meta staff introducing themselves to learners. It gives a quick overview of the certification program as well as gives you high hopes for a bright future ahead of you as a freshly qualified Meta iOS developer. (I believe the course was recorded before AI took over the world, although I have a suspicion that Meta already knew where we were heading)

Unit 2: Version Control

You get a very confusing introduction to computers and GitHub. If I have to be honest with you, without YouTube and a fair amount of googling, this unit put me off continuing with the course. The structure is very poorly designed, and by no means is it suitable for a complete beginner like I was. But I held onto my faith and powered through. Nine months later, I still think it was the most boring 13 hours of my life. But I did it! 🥳

Unit 3: Programming Fundamentals in Swift

Let the fun begin. Many moons ago, in 2005 I completed a web development course. I learned HTML, CSS and JavaScript and built a website for my puppy (although never published it). I loved HTML and so I had high hopes for this unit. Swift is Apple’s intuitive language. Well, honestly, it didn’t seem that intuitive to me. But once again, eager to build my own apps, the desire outweighed the struggles.

I would recommend you pay great attention to this unit. You’ll be working with data types and data structures and all that funky stuff. This knowledge really will come in handy when and, if you’re like me — reach for the help of ChatGPT. (don’t give up yet, there is still hope for the course to improve)

Unit 4: Principles of UX/UI

As I had only just completed the Google UX Design course on Coursera, this unit was a breeze. However, they introduced UX and UI in a slightly different light to Google. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it.

Image of App designed by author for a local restaurant

Unit 5: Create the User Interface with Swift UI

Swift UI must be the best thing since sliced bread. At least for UX/UI designers and less talented developers like me. In this unit, you’ll learn about the ‘playground’ where all the magic happens. In my opinion, this was, by far the most interesting unit in the whole course. Finally, I could see where I was heading.

During the Meta iOS certification, you are prompted to build a restaurant app for ‘Little Lemon’. You start off by creating a reservation. It was this unit where my hopes for becoming a successful mobile app developer went through the roof, but also the point where I realized that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to get professional help!

Without this YouTuber’s videos, I would have been completely lost. Chris is an incredible teacher who can teach anyone how to build a mobile app. (not a sponsored review)

The remaining 7 units

With the help of Code with Chris and Chat GPT, I was able to get through the Meta iOS Developer Professional Certificate program. I now have a good understanding of how mobile apps come to life. With a lot of practice, a deeper understanding of Javascript and the use of React Native, I can say that I know how to build a mobile app.

App designed and developed by author for a local school

Is the Meta iOS Developer Professional Certificate Worth it?

This is where things get a bit complicated. I believe that this certificate can help you gain an understanding of how apps work and are built.

I completed this course 5 months ago, and in these mere 5 months, the use of AI in the tech and design industry has advanced exponentially. I am not saying this to deter you from your dream. I am trying to show you an alternative.

Do I think you can land a job completing this certificate? — I really don’t.

Do I think it’s a complete waste of time? — No, I don’t.

With the rise in popularity of tools like Bravo Studio and Figma working in seamless collaboration where you can easily make your app come to life, you are not only competing with thousands of applicants for the same job but AI and also tools like Bravo Studio and many more.

But, I don’t see this as a problem as long as you are not too bothered about working for a big tech company like Meta or Google.

Apps are the future. Everyone needs apps. This very detailed article by Zippia is a great source and the numbers suggest that designers and developers are needed — but you might have to think outside the box.

An in-houe app designed and developed by author for a local entertainment business

The future is local, not global

I live in the South West of England surrounded by beaches, nature and lots of independent businesses. Hairdressers, beauticians, coffee shops, restaurants, clothes shops, schools — private and community ones; the list is endless.

While getting a job at a big tech company or agency might be a little hard nowadays, local opportunities for designers and developers are rising.

Networking is key to your success.

I approached a local school to see if they’d be interested in a children’s app that could help young individuals understand their emotions and help reduce stress and separation anxiety in children under 5. I worked on the project with a human design coach and child psychologist I met on Instagram. The project took 6 months to complete and was funded by local investors.

I am in the process of finalising my first app which is due to be released on the app store early next year. It has taken me 7 months to get to this stage, but after researching the market, a lot of testing and developing, I am confident that it will do well.

I, however, did not design or built it for the masses. My target audience is local businesses, solopreneurs and artists. Even if it only gets downloaded by locals (438,000 self-employed in the South West of England alone) , I’ll still do well from it. (it will be available to anyone, thinking of worst case scenario)

Although I am not actively looking for work, because of the work I did for some local businesses at the beginning of this year after completing the Google UX Design Course, I still get asked to help with projects.

Think outside the box

In conclusion to the above, I do recommend the Meta iOS Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera. I completed it in 12 weeks, costing me less than $150. Well worth it.

And, remember:

“Everyone can teach you something, but no one can teach you everything.”

Whether you have ideas of your own for an app or whether you fancy setting up an app design and development agency, don’t get disheartened by AI. I find that it makes work a lot easier — it’s surprisingly good at coding.

Good luck with your endeveours.

Much love,

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