Beyond Tools: Why Learning React Doesn't Equal Mastering Frontend Engineering

While most frontend tutorials focus on learning React, they often skip the engineering fundamentals that employers actually test for in interviews—closures, performance optimization, accessibility, and production debugging. This article exposes why mastering a framework doesn't equal mastering the craft, and why developers who skip JavaScript fundamentals struggle in professional roles despite building polished portfolio projects. Understanding the difference between learning a tool and learning engineering is crucial for breaking into the industry.