If you want to switch careers or advance in your current one, having IT skills can give you a competitive edge. But you don't have to enroll in a formal education program to learn them. There are many ways to develop IT skills without going back to school, and here are some of them.
One of the most convenient and affordable ways to learn IT skills is to take online courses. You can find courses on various platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, edX, and Skillshare, that cover topics ranging from programming and web development to data analysis and cybersecurity. Some courses are free, while others require a fee or a subscription. You can also earn certificates or badges that you can showcase on your resume or portfolio.
Another way to learn IT skills is to teach yourself using books, videos, podcasts, blogs, and other resources. You can find plenty of free or low-cost materials online that can help you learn the basics or deepen your knowledge of specific IT topics. You can also join online communities, such as forums, groups, or chats, where you can ask questions, get feedback, and share ideas with other learners. Self-paced learning gives you more flexibility and control over your learning pace and style, but it also requires more discipline and motivation.
Internet is a plenty source of information if you are looking for learn something. There are millions of videos in YouTube related to multiple IT topics (cyber, hacking, forensics, networking, etc)
One of the best ways to practice and demonstrate your IT skills is to work on projects and create portfolios. Projects can be personal or professional, depending on your goals and interests. For example, you can build a website, an app, a game, a dashboard, or a tool that solves a problem or showcases your creativity. Portfolios are collections of your projects that you can display online or offline to showcase your skills and achievements. Projects and portfolios can help you improve your IT skills, gain confidence, and attract potential employers or clients.
Another way to develop IT skills is to seek guidance and support from others who have more experience or expertise in the IT field. You can find mentors or coaches who can offer you advice, feedback, and resources to help you learn and grow. You can also network with other IT professionals or enthusiasts who can share their insights, experiences, and opportunities with you. You can find mentors and network contacts through online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Meetup, or MentorCruise, or through local events, such as workshops, hackathons, or conferences.
One more way to develop IT skills is to obtain certifications or pass exams that validate your knowledge and skills in specific IT domains. Certifications and exams can help you enhance your credibility, demonstrate your competence, and increase your employability. You can find certifications and exams offered by various organizations, such as Microsoft, Google, Cisco, or CompTIA, that cover topics such as cloud computing, software development, network administration, or IT security. Certifications and exams usually require a fee and some preparation, but they can also provide you with valuable learning opportunities and credentials.
IT framework certifications like ITIL 4 can play a pivotal role. Standardized Practices: ITIL 4 and similar frameworks provide standardized, best-practice methodologies. This ensures consistency and efficiency in IT service management across different organizations. Aligning IT and Business Goals: These certifications train professionals to align IT services with overall business strategy, ensuring that IT initiatives support broader business objectives. Continuous Improvement: Emphasis on continual service improvement helps businesses adapt to changing market demands and technology advancements. Career Advancement: These certifications can open doors to higher-level roles and opportunities in IT management.
When it comes to software, the best way to learn it is to use it. If it is safe to do so and you don't risk altering a client's records, messing up the design for the new product or losing a fortune in company finances, just play with the software. Set yourself up with a sandpit folder where you can safely experiment with trying different things. Tie this to online learning and indeed using the built in Help (some are great, some not so much). You can build your confidence safely and before you know it you will know more than the average user, who just does what they need to get by, and thus become the expert. This will then lead to you being asked how to do certain things, and if you don't know, you can look it up & learn more.