What are the best ways to become an expert in IT services?

I took a 9 month course back in 1994. It was a non-affiliate school. So it didn’t teach from MS course material. I found that it gave me a great foundation because we built a computer from scratch. We learned through actual experience how computers worked and how to troubleshoot them. Back then, getting a Novell certification was really the only very worth the testing fees. I would suggest learning A+ to start with. Then get a job and get some experience. Read, read, read!!

In my experience, understanding the basics is the most important thing you can do. The basics are the foundation of your expertise. If you don’t understand how devices work with one another and communicate, it’s going to be difficult to troubleshoot or do any administrative tasks. The old saying you have to learn to crawl before you walk is very fitting. The basics are the building blocks and the foundation. If there is one thing I think we can agree on is that when everyone walks into a home or a tall building, we all want the foundation to be strong because that is what is keeping the intricately complex dwelling upright.

Consider emphasizing the significance of hands-on experience in addition to theoretical knowledge. Practical application of the acquired skills through internships, personal projects, or volunteer work can enhance your understanding and make you more adept in real-world scenarios. this is mostly how i became an expert in what i do. also one rule that needs to be always remembered no matter what is that everyday we learn something new.

The most important thing is to learn and grasp the knowledge from scratch level and basics to leanr and understand the core fundamentals of the course. In addition to that, we need to learn the interfacing techniques of the devices so that we can have some strong grip on the fundamental concepts.

Learning the basics creates a crucial foundation for any skill or field, including IT services. In my experience, learning the basics helps: - create a solid foundation - boost confidence to explore the complexities - learn new things faster and efficiently The ways I learn the basics are through: - Structured courses - Textbooks - Video tutorials - online platforms like YouTube, Udemy, Coursera etc. - LinkedIn articles - Offline workshops - Listening to the experiences of the people Learning the basics is not about memorizing facts but about gaining a fundamental understanding of key concepts and processes. It's a rewarding journey that empowers us to build expertise and thrive in the world of IT services.

Choosing a specialization can be challenging especially when you have not had a job experience in the field. I suggest that you have practical experience in a few of the fields before choosing a specialization. This way, you can identify your area of interest and the opportunities available in that field. My undergraduate degree was in Petroleum Engineering. I started working as an Environmental Consultant and later as a Geo-information Consultant. My interest switched to Data Analytics and designing and developing Information Systems. So, I did a master's degree in Computer Science with Big Data Analytics. Now I am specializing in Web Development and Data Analytics.

I started in IT back in 1995. Thought Network Engineering would be my ticket to fame. Found out no one would pay us the money advertised with the experience we had (DUH!) My suggestion is to talk to everyone you can about every facet of the industry. Check out free online content. Don't get stuck in dead end jobs. If you want to be in cybersecurity, then don't fix computers for 5 years. And find at least one great mentor.

I started as a Proactive Engineer and our main task was to always keep servers alive and up and running. Through time and different job roles, an IT engineer will at the end want to specialize in one thing. also an IT need to always keep in mind that he will need to adapt in the ever-evolving IT landscape. Encourage continuous learning and staying updated on emerging technologies within the chosen specialization, as this dynamic field often demands flexibility and a proactive approach to skill development.

Before jumping into the specialization, one should work for at least 2-3 years after getting the Bachelors degree so he/she can understand the whole situation and what area he will be strong in. Another factor is to choose the specialization area which is highly in demand in today's labor market.

Choosing a specialization in IT can be an exciting but challenging task. It can be made simple through both self-assessment and exploring what is going on in the market: - Interest-based approach: Focus on strongest interests and passion. - Skill-based approach: Reflect on your existing skills and strengths. - Goal-oriented approach: Based on long-term career goals and aspirations. - Current-trend approach: Identifying current trends through job descriptions, online forums, online courses, Google trends, and IT companies' websites. After choosing a specialization, gain the basics as well as deep understanding and hands-on experience in that area. This will help to stand out and become an expert in that area.

One thing that helped me in my career is the value of networking in the IT community. Engaging with professionals, attending meetups, and joining online forums can not only open up opportunities for collaboration but also provide valuable insights and mentorship, further enriching your practical experience in the IT field.

This is a great way to learn and grow. I volunteer at my local church and it evolved to me running two campuses network infrastructure. This is all services and hardware that consist of Unifi switches, pfsense firewall in HA, to docker containers running applications and you name it. I help with the security camera, web filtering, guest wifi and the list goes on. Doing this really challenged me with new technologies and helped me with planning as well. It’s a great way to learn and stay engaged in the community. This provides the opportunity to network with others in the community and find more opportunities. I am also proud and happy I can give in a way that helps connect the world to Jesus.

To gain practical experience, one should focus on building his network from the industrial market, work on small projects that can benefit the society. This can be done from bachelor's studies, by doing internship programs in different companies and visiting various market leaders. Also, reading research papers to build his critical analysis skills.

Gaining practical experience takes time and effort. Start with smaller projects and gradually work your way up to more complex ones. Here's a breakdown of simple steps to gain practical experience in IT services: - Project-based courses: They help in building real-world projects and give guided hands-on. - Open-source projects: Contribute to open-source projects, this will help not only to gain practical experience but also understand the best practices. - Personal side projects: Working on the projects to build a portfolio of the work. - Internship: This provides valuable hands-on experience under the guidance of professionals. - Online portfolio: Create a website or GitHub profile to showcase the projects.

Absolutely, reinforce the importance of continuous improvement by actively seeking constructive feedback. Emphasize the value of cultivating a growth mindset and being open to learning from both successes and challenges. This approach not only accelerates your professional development but also demonstrates your commitment to evolving in the rapidly changing IT landscape.

You will never stop learning, and you can’t. Technology evolves so fast you will be left behind if you don’t make an effort to keep learning. Don’t box yourself into a specific thing. It’s ok to specialize and still learn new things. One great way to do this is a home lab. You can experiment with whatever you want to and don’t have to worry about disrupting business operations. You can experiment with lots of different technologies like virtualization, kubernetes, docker, firewalls and so on. Having the freedom to experiment is priceless, so if you can, take advantage of that!

Absolutely, underscore the importance of hands-on experimentation as a complementary strategy for staying ahead in the dynamic IT landscape. Actively engaging in personal projects or contributing to open-source initiatives allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding and adaptability to the evolving industry demands.

Sharing expertise is about connecting with others and making a difference. Here are some ways to share your IT services knowledge and expertise, no matter your experience level: - Contributing to publications: Write articles and blog posts - Contributing to events: Give talks at conferences and meetups to share insights. - Teaching: Share your knowledge through workshops, courses, and YouTube videos. - Mentoring: Guide and support aspiring IT services professionals. - Volunteer work: Offer your IT expertise to non-profit organizations or community initiatives. - Answering questions online: Participate in online forums like Stack Overflow or social media groups relevant to your area of expertise. It will inspire others to learn and grow.

Find networking opportunities. Go to them and talk to everyone. Visit the vendor tables. Learn what they sell, to who and what are some of the jobs associated with their product. Leave a business card at select vendors that might have upcoming projects that are of interest to you.

Try to build and develop a list of industry and market leaders, keep updating the list by adding more companies. Increase the columns in the list by adding what are their core products and what services exactly do they offer.