I’d like to know how to proceed and which path to move foward given IT as a field. I am 35 years old and did the responsive webdesign/HTML/CSS courses here.
I made a homepage for a music teacher lately where I was able to use that knowledge although in the process she wanted to switch to a website construction kit solution to build the site.
Apart from that I started to learn some stuff about Microsoft OS and also got Linux which I thought would be useful
I also installed Kali Linux and got some into Powershell.
Now I’d like to ask you guys what’s the best path to proceed. It doesn’t seem useful to dabble into everything but it is rather useful to specify
Administration/Database creation
Programming/aka Webdesign
IT-Security/Cybersecurity/Cryptography
Development
all seem to have a quite different infrastructure and requirements.
Is it useful to just get into things that are interesting to me or is it more useful to have the end in mind and have a more structured approach.
HTML/CSS
Powershell
Kali Linux/OS/Linux
all seem to contradict themselves somewhat in their ability to be of use in certain IT subbranches compared to other fields.
Any advice? Is it useful to get into multiple areas or just deepen a specific topic to really increase my chances of getting into the industry? How to make the decision?
This doesn’t really answer the specific questions you’re asking, but hopefully you’ll find it useful.
If you haven’t I recommend going to local tech meetups and meeting as many people there. Talking to people and people-networking can be really helpful. It also will give you good insight into what you’re local market is looking for, and you can aim in that direction.
if you are interested in programming you are missing a programming (scripting) language, html is a markup language, which is needed, but it’s only static
programming is much more vast than only web dev, and web design is more design than programming, a different field altogether
you may want to look more deeply in each of the fields so you can have a more clear idea of what they are about
Consider looking at job postings in your location. Find out both the soft and hard skills employers are looking for. Talk to university career advisors about career paths and the skillsets needed for them.
There are some good articles available online about tech and web development career pathways.
List out the skills and experience you have accumulated so far, then seek out opportunities where you can leverage them.
You may find you need to take a non-linear approach to land your ideal job.
Creating software, maybe combined with some creativity?
Examples: Software development, web development with web design
HTML/CSS, JavaScript and more would be your tools
Operating Software. Planning, building, protecting infrastructure like networks?
Examples: Administration, cloud architecture and engineering, cyber security, DevOps
PowerShell, Kali Linux/OS/Linux would be some of your tools in this field
Once you have a direction, you can dive into the different paths of your branch.
I can help you with tips for the latter, the fine people in this forum with the former.
I totally get where you’re coming from—dabbling in everything can feel exciting but also overwhelming. At 35, it’s smart to think strategically. I’d say it’s good to explore, but eventually narrowing down helps you actually land something, not just learn it.