Member Avatar for Millrtyme

Hello all, I am about to start work on my Bachelor's degree in Information Technology. I already have one degree, but want to change up my career path. I love computers and acn use them fairly well, but i do not know too much about the "behind the scenes" operations if you will. I start classes on July 1st and i am looking for some good online resources where i can gain an overall basic knowledge of the IT field before i enter into my classes. Also, is it a must that i have a lot of IT knowledge before entering into a degree program or do most start with the basics??? Please any information will help me at this point. Thank you.

  • 3 Contributors
  • 3 Replies
  • 116 Views
  • 1 Month Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by sit_lawrence

Dani AI

Generated

As prepares to start a degree in IT: you do not need to arrive as a subject-matter expert. Most undergraduate programs assume little prior depth and teach fundamentals. What helps most before classes begin is practical confidence — being comfortable with a shell, knowing basic networking ideas, and having written a few simple scripts. was right that the field is wide; focus on a handful of skills that apply across many jobs.

Try a short, hands-on six-week prep plan you can follow at your own pace:

  • Week 1 — Linux/command line: install a Linux VM, navigate the filesystem, create users, edit files.
  • Week 2 — Networking basics: learn IP addressing, subnetting, DNS, and use ping/traceroute.
  • Week 3 — Scripting: pick Python or Bash and automate small tasks (rename files, parse text).
  • Week 4 — Version control: learn Git, create a GitHub repo and push your work.
  • Week 5 — Databases: practice basic SQL (SELECT, JOIN, INSERT) with SQLite or a lightweight DB.
  • Week 6 — Virtualization/containers and cloud basics: spin up a VM or simple container and read about free-tier cloud instances.

Good, free resources to follow: Harvard CS50 for broad foundations, freeCodeCamp for practical exercises, Linux Journey for command-line basics, SQLBolt for hands-on SQL, and the Git documentation for version control.

Practical tips: keep a small public portfolio (GitHub) so classmates and recruiters can see your work; snapshot VMs before experimenting; never run unknown scripts as root; use faculty office hours and labs early. As hinted, real experience moves the needle — even short projects, volunteering to help a club IT setup, or a summer tech role will make coursework and job hunting much easier.

Recommended Answers

All 3 Replies

Member Avatar for Millrtyme

Can anybody on this forum point me in some sort of direction???

Member Avatar for Stylish

IT is broad. It's like asking a doctor, "Tell me about the medical industry."

I didn't know you could major in IT.

Member Avatar for sit_lawrence

Hmm, for me...there are 4 category for ICT path.

1. Network / System Engineer ( you need extra paper, Cisco and Microsoft cert. etc)
-Try this if you like 'plumbing '

2. Software Engineer / Programmer (don't really need a cert, good memory, problem solution etc)
-Try this if you enjoy mathematics

3. Business Analyst / System Analyst ( need Oracle and SAP cert, sort of)
-Try this if you are good in English writting and good in 'arrange picture'

4. Web Developer (don't actually need any cert, can learn all tutorial from website and mostly book, sort of)
-Try this if you are creative enough


....every ICT career are same, just that we are assign to different responsibilities. Really depend on what you are capable of. Don't forget about experience too!

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.