The One-Year IT Road Trip: Your Guide to a Career in IT

January 22, 2016 • Education

The Plan?

  1. Explore 1 area every week for 3 months [12 weeks]
  2. Select 1 or 2 areas you’re interested in Concentrate on that/those in the next 3 months
  3. Study for certification or specialization in 1 area for the remaining 6 months

Your Trip Gear:

  1. Computer or mobile device
  2. Internet Connection (At least from time to time)
  3. Hand tools: Screwdriver pack (for the hardware)
  4. Food: This is essential fuel for your journey. You will be hungry.
  5. Endless Curiosity
Table Of Contents

Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

1. Hardware

Computer 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

Microsoft Logo

Read about Microsoft certifications.

3. Networking

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

MySQL

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

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!

6. Programming (Or Coding)

Programming

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

Web Design & Development

This is the world of design, coding, social media, and digital marketing.

Here are your links:

8. Mobile Apps

Mobile Apps

Build your first

Check this online dev platform, and then others.

9. Voice Technologies

An introduction to internet telephony

For a more grounded overview, you should also check out:

10. Datacenters

Datacenter

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.

See certs here and here

11. Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing

An Intro: What is cloud computing?

12. Information Security

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:

  1. Explore 1 area every week for 3 months [12 weeks]
  2. Select 1 or 2 areas you’re interested in Concentrate on that/those in the next 3 months
  3. 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!


Scroll to Top