Your First 6 Months in IT , What You Should Focus On
Diving into IT can feel like a lot. One minute you love tech, the next you’re drowning in programming languages, tools, and everyone’s two cents. A lot of newbies give up, not because they can’t do it but because they’re focused on the wrong stuff.
Seriously, your first half-year in IT isn’t about being a pro. It’s about getting the basics down. What you spend your time on now decides if you grow or crash and burn.
This guide breaks down what to zero in on during those first six months to set yourself up for the long haul.
Month 1: Get the Lay of the Land (Before Picking a Path)
A big mistake is jumping straight into coding without seeing where it fits in the IT world.
IT’s huge. It covers:
- Software Dev
- Web Dev
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Data Stuff
- Cloud Stuff
- UI/UX
- IT Support
This first month is all about kicking the tires, not picking a lane.
What to do:
- See what each IT area does daily.
- Watch beginner YouTube videos
- Read blogs and career guides.
- Talk to experienced people if you can.
❗ Don’t decide you’re a software engineer in week one. Let what interests you guide you.
Month 2: Nail Down the Basics
No matter where you go in IT, basics are a must. They’ll stick with you your whole career.
Key basics to pick up:
- How computers tick (CPU, RAM, storage, OS)
- Networking (IP address, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS)
- Databases (what data is, tables)
- Command line (basic commands)
- How the internet ticks
This stuff might not be exciting, but it makes everything else easier later. A lot of people struggle with the advanced stuff because they didn’t do this first.
👉 Think of IT like a building, these basics are the foundation. A weak foundation = problems.
Month 3: Learn One Key Skill Really Well (Not Everything)
By now, you should have a rough idea of the area you like. Now, pick one main skill and go deep instead of spreading yourself thin.
Examples:
- Web dev → HTML, CSS, basic JavaScript
- Programming → Python or Java (just one)
- Cybersecurity → Linux, networking, security
- Data → Excel, SQL, Python
What beginners mess up:
- Learning a bunch of languages at once
- Bouncing between tutorials
- Copy-pasting code without knowing
Instead:
- Pick one path
- Practice daily, even a little
- Focus on getting it, not speed
Remember: It’s better to know one thing well than a bunch of things a little.
Month 4: Start Small Projects
This is where people get nervous, but it’s super important.
You don’t need huge projects. Just real, small, working projects.
Examples:
- A personal website
- A basic system
- A to-do list app
- A login thing
- A database project
Projects teach you:
- Problem-solving
- Debugging
- Googling
- Patience 😄
Your code will be messy, and that’s fine. Everyone starts somewhere.
💡 Do projects related to real stuff. It gets you thinking like a pro.
Month 5: Learn How to Learn (The Most Important Skill)
Tech changes fast. What you learn today might be old news in a couple of years. That’s why knowing how to learn is key.
What to do:
- Read documentation
- Search errors
- Understand answers
- Use tools carefully
- Break problems down
Don’t get stuck on tutorials. If you can only build something by watching a video, you’re not there yet.
🔑 You want to be independent.
Month 6: Soft Skills & Career Prep
A lot of people think IT is just about tech skills. Nope!
Companies hire people, not just skills.
Skills to work on:
- Communication (explaining tech)
- Writing (emails)
- Time skills
- Being professional
- Teamwork
Start:
- Making a basic CV
- Setting up a GitHub
- Writing project descriptions
- Getting on LinkedIn
You don’t have to be ready for a job yet, but you should know where you’re headed.
What NOT to Focus on in the First 6 Months
Let’s be real about distractions:
❌ Don’t focus on money right away.
❌ Don’t compare yourself.
❌ Don’t try to learn everything.
❌ Don’t expect to be successful quickly.
❌ Don’t quit when it is tough.
IT is a marathon.
The Real Secret
The ones who make it aren’t always the smartest.
They are the ones who:
- Stick with It
- Accept things
- Practice consistently
- Ask questions
- Keep going
The first half-year is just about getting your footing, being disciplined, and staying curious.
If you get this right, the next couple of years will be way easier.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to IT:
You don’t need to know everything.
Just keep learning.
Six months from now, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come—if you don’t quit today.