Week 1 Learning Microsoft IT on Coursera

The first week has been good. I started and completed the course Introduction to Computers. It was and overview to topics such as:

• Networking
• Software, Hardware, and Data Backup
• Cyber Securtiy and Privacy
• Microsoft 365 Ecosystem
• AI

There are now five more courses to complete the program. Each course, for the most part, dives deeper into the topics above. The second course on networks and security, has also been completed. The end goal here is to take an exam and earn the MS-900.

You can read more about my motives in my first blog in this series Transitioning from Freelance Developer to Information Technology.

Coursera

Coursera, the learning platform, is an enjoyable and streamlined learning envrionment. There is a mixture of videos, readings, quizzes, and assignments. The various media and engagement types avoid the monotony of learning online. There is also emplyoment assistance upon completion of the Micrsoft program I am enrolled in.

Previously, I had found Udemy to be the best spot for learning online. Quality learning expereinces from industry professionals can be found on Udemy for a reasonble price, especially when on discount. But the quizzes, forums, AI chat, and feedback gives added value to Coursera. Plus, getting help finding a job is fantastic. We will see the quality of that at the end.

Learning IT as a Developer

I have been using computers since third grade. I took my first coding class as a Sophomore in High School. I learned Microsoft Office for business as a business major in college. This general understanding of computer functionalty is a bonus.

The past five years I have been learning, practicing, and monetizing web development. This has taught me many concepts including authentication and authorization, online security, deploying and hosting applications, and operating servers. I have also used many cloud services.

These concepts are easily transferred to Information Technology. For example, instead of creating secure sign in methods, I am learning, on a deeper a level, the threats from of  poor authentication and the terminology of the various structures of authorization. It is like learning the same concepts through a new lense.

The Dificulties

The dificulties of learning information technology as a developer come from the nature of IT and also the personal side of time management.

Terminology

IT has a ton of terminology. The names of protocols, important port numbers, and types of access control are just a few. Below is a chart on the types of Access Control Models involed in Authentication.

As you can see, that's a lot of details to rememeber. And thats one part of one section of one class. I have taken close to 40 pages of notes in the last week. Good thing I know good folder structure and how to look up strings on my Mac.

Managing Time

Another struggle is managing time. I am currently trying to finish up a full stack application involving Web3 wallets, NFT metadata, and traditional data base. The tech is evolving so fast it's hard to keep up with industry standard, if there is one. This, however, is good training for IT.

Summer is also wrapping up for the kids. This also might be the last summer my grandma lives in her own house.

Last week I smashed out the coursework. The sections of the course are designed, probably for people working full time, to be one a week. I did two entire courses in one week. This was about four or five hours a day. 

I spent another four or five hours writing code. This still gave me time for family life.

The Goal

I love learning. So first off, the goal is enjoy this. That means I am learning. I also want to be done with the entire program before September starts. School will have started for the kids and I will look for a job after earning the certificate. I will also start a new course and keep learning, probably a slower pace.

It would be cool to start learning new stuff, for minimal, cost, become certified in one month, and find a job soon after. This is why I blog. Documenting this journey can be benefical to myself and others.

My details on my goal are outlined in my first #Web3IT blog. #Web3IT is used because people can type that into Zenta search and find any of my blogs. But maybe there is a larger end goal involved with that 😉

I will write more again soon.