I'm a first-year college student, and I'm really fascinated by the world of tech. I find web development, AI/ML, DevOps, and cybersecurity all to be super interesting—but I'm stuck because I don't know much about any of them. Everyone keeps telling me to pick what I like, but I enjoy all of it, which makes the decision really confusing. I'm looking for advice on how I can dip my toes into these different areas without feeling overwhelmed. Any tips on where to start?
4 Answers
Honestly, just give each field a shot. Try simple projects or interactive online courses in web development, AI/ML, DevOps, and cybersecurity. It doesn't have to be a big commitment; just experimenting with small tasks can really help clarify what you enjoy. Don't overthink it—just dive in!
If you're leaning towards AI/ML, get a grasp of the basic concepts first. It’s rapidly evolving, and having a solid understanding of the fundamentals will help you decide if it’s the path for you. Web development is also useful to learn—it’s a skill that complements many areas in tech, especially when combined with ML. Just stay adaptable because the landscape changes often!
To get started, focus on learning the programming fundamentals that all these fields share. Before diving deep into a specific area, try to establish a strong foundation in coding basics like variables, loops, and functions. Courses covering Object Oriented Programming and databases are also really helpful across these tech specializations. You don’t need to pick a specialty right away—there’s time to explore and maybe even let your career path unfold naturally based on what you enjoy. Consider checking out various subreddits related to each field and interact with professionals there to get a sense of what they do. That should give you a good overview without feeling pressure to choose immediately.
A tip could be to aim for the higher-paying fields like AI/ML, but be cautious. Choosing based on money alone can lead to burnout if it’s not what you really enjoy. Explore each interest genuinely before deciding—it might not be as straightforward as picking what pays the most.
Yeah, just going for the highest pay isn't always the best strategy. Make sure you actually like what you're doing!