So after wasting a large part of my life working in couple different industries iv decided that IT is the correct route for me.
It seems getting a comptia a+ cert is a good start for someone green wanting an entry level or at least start going the right direction. (please let me know if im way off)
Anyone can point me to some study/practice/learning/helpful material? And if im incorrect about CompTIA A+ cert being a good starting point for an entry level let me know thanks.
To expand on that you are likely on Windows if the percentages means anything, Windows 10 Pro is required to run VMs on your local machine.
I’d recommend grabbing a second machine to be your homelab, even if it’s not great, just so you don’t mess anything up locally.
If you go with a second machine you can put win10pro on it and not activate it and then host VMs. Or there are other ways to get keys for pro. Completely legally of course.
Windows server (load a VM and load STANDARD not Dataserver) 2019 and 2022 both have evaluation versions. You can load these up, install any features you want to try, test any labs in any modules of any courses you’re taking, then nuke and reload if necessary.
If you’re not familiar with Linux try Ubuntu, Manjaro, and Fedora. Learn to install a few things from the GUI stores and the CLI repositories. Learn how to add repositories. Learn how to copy, move, make, delete, rename files/directories.
Then start a project. Something silly or stupid like a media server, backup server or download station. Build that out with your new knowledge, push your boundaries.
It might seem like a bit much but there are practical questions on the exam where you have to work through things in a VM and it isn’t just a multiple choice question. You’ll feel a lot better being comfortable in an environment.
On top of that that practical experience will come in handy in interviews.
you know this is the first time iv ever felt excited to “study” like when i think of work i think being on a construction sites in that texas heat sweating pissing in a port a poty. this here is fun for me.
(i say this now but…)