The Plan?
- Explore 1 area every week for 3 months [12 weeks]
- Select 1 or 2 areas you’re interested in Concentrate on that/those in the next 3 months
- Study for certification or specialization in 1 area for the remaining 6 months
Your Trip Gear:
- Computer or mobile device
- Internet Connection (At least from time to time)
- Hand tools: Screwdriver pack (for the hardware)
- Food: This is essential fuel for your journey. You will be hungry.
- Endless Curiosity
1. Hardware
Get your hands dirty, put your screwdriver to use on old desktops, laptops, even mobile devices.
What’s HDD? Or RAM, x86, processor, graphics adapter?
Start here: instructables.com, tomshardware.com, then A+
2. Operating Systems
Read about Microsoft certifications.
3. Networking
Check out the world of networks and networking.
Here are others:
I’d also recommend reading up on CCNA for an overview of the most popular networking certification.
4. Databases
A database is an organized collection of data. It is the collection of schemas, tables, queries, reports, views and other objects. (Wikipedia)
Sounds weird? Get more info here: Oracle, MySQL, MS SQL, NoSQL databases.
5. Virtualization
Is the act of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including virtual computer hardware platforms, operating systems, storage devices, and computer network resources. (Wikipedia)
See a Windows 8 PC inside a Windows 10 PC!
- VMWare (Certs here)
- Hyper-V
- VirtualBox
6. Programming (Or Coding)
Python, C, C#, C+, C++, D, Java, Ruby, Perl, Javascript, VB …
Learn programming if you want to be able to create software (Order computers to do as you please!)
Here’s a wonderful resource you should explore. (Hint: Khan Academy)
And another one from a man called Wolfram.
7. Website Design & Development
This is the world of design, coding, social media, and digital marketing.
Here are your links:
8. Mobile Apps
Build your first
- Android App
- Windows App
- iOS App ~ Don’t have a Mac?
Check this online dev platform, and then others.
9. Voice Technologies
For a more grounded overview, you should also check out:
10. Datacenters
A datacenter is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. (Wikipedia)
See these other fabulous datacenters from datacenterknowledge.com.
11. Cloud Computing
An Intro: What is cloud computing?
12. Information Security
Locked doors, biometric access, very strong passwords, firewalls, antivirus, honeypots, padded cells…
See this infosec primer (It’s a long but interesting one!)
These are links to some certifications: C|EH, CISSP, and CISM.
So Remember:
- Explore 1 area every week for 3 months [12 weeks]
- Select 1 or 2 areas you’re interested in Concentrate on that/those in the next 3 months
- Study for certification or specialization in 1 area for the remaining 6 months
Do you have any questions or need guidance regarding how to go about exploring your career options? Please leave a message in the comment box below and I will get back to you with some ideas. Cheers!