It may be interesting for those who want to get into IT.
Usually you need months of preparation, but if your forehead is strong, you can try to break through the wall.



A long time ago, I was interviewed for hosting technical support and I was accepted for an internship.
I was weak, linux competence was required, and I only knew 5-6 commands and what the console looks like.
They took me then for burning eyes, apparently.

I was given a table, a chair, a computer and a task - to set up a Lamp - linux, apache, mysql, php and run a simple website on all this.
But to do everything - on a VPS, a remote computer without an interface, just a command line.

I sat down and realized that I didn't understand anything at all, I didn't even remember the names of the programs. I didn't have a single idea how to install it all.

An icy horror washed over him from head to toe.
For the first time I learned about nginx, apache and php, I heard about the mysql database, I saw linux in the console several times. CMS is some kind of phone?

I could have confessed that I didn't know anything, asked for help - but I was terribly afraid that I would be kicked out right away. I decided to take a chance.
Google, how to install LAMP, a bunch of articles and guides. Everything is in English. I do not know the language, Google translate, clumsy translation.
Sheets of configurations and tons of brand new information.

I grabbed stress for 2 months ahead.
I drank only coffee, did not eat anything, so as not to miss precious minutes, which may not be enough to complete the task.

It was the first internship experience and tight deadlines in my life at work. I didn't know then that all the seriousness was assumed =)
The commands that I ran gave out more and more errors, there was no end to them, I was drowning without a single checkpoint. None of the services worked.
There are 2 hours left until the end of the first day and the first breakthrough - nginx responds. My website said hello world. Yes bitch, here are the following services!

I wanted to have time to install everything in order to spend the second day debugging, but I made such a mess in the system that I decided to delete everything and start over.
The end of the first day is a clean car, I deleted everything. But I can.
An evening with Google preparation, a sleepless night, stress is off the scale.

The second day.
Before 12, I managed to deploy apache, php, nginx.
Everything, the site can be submitted to html, but wait, there is still a database and the installation of wordpress - a popular CMS.
The database did not give in in any way, minimum competence was required to work with it, not a set of commands.

Emergency Googling.
Error, error, error.... it started. Your mother, finally.
CMS installation, no errors.

Launch - well, yes, of course, instead of a website, I am greeted by a hello world page. Chaos with configs, panic, setup, it worked.
I'm renting.

"Everything is ok, but the SSL certificate is not installed"
It was an asterisk assignment, but I didn't know that.
Dive into the world of certificates, release free, binding, ready.
mysql hung up, attempts to bring it to life were unsuccessful.

I decided to reboot the machine to restart all the services.
Rebut - went for coffee, came back - VPS is not responding.

WHAT THE FUCK

Access is gone, it is not there. After the reboot, the machine did not go online, and since it is all remote, I cannot show the final work. This is a failure!
There was a general problem on the host of VPS servers, it's not my fault, but the restart was an error.
The manager laughed and said - you can't do that.
At the same moment, he said that I had passed.

As I remember now - I asked again, why? Passed? (I don't know anything that I passed!!)
He - yes, tomorrow you step in at 5/2 and we get registered.

Euphoria on the way home, in 2 days I was able to set up a server, 95% of the information I heard about for the first time.
Of course, I didn't get the competence, used team copy-paste and couldn't tell exactly how it works.
But I set it up.

Hosting gave me a good boost in linux administration, I also stepped on the path of management there, but that's a completely different story.
But Google is your friend, it will get you out of any asshole.

This is something else, I trained my (at that time six-year-old) child: I gave him an old laptop with an installed (without X and other graphics) ubuntu (then 14.4) like. Only the command line, without the root password.
In 2 months, with the help of "Google friend on the phone", he was able to download and master lynx, as well as installing pkg in his home directory.
Then it was easier: single user mode, root password reset... installing graphics and minecraft now, three years later... he will put any operating system on any hardware, and he even played minecraft on a Chinese watch with an android.

when I came to production, ala enikey-sysadmin, although he was a proger by education, but zero, but some kind of base was pushed into me in a technician. they had a website. in Yandex, it hung with a note that the site may threaten your security or something like that, it was with a virus. my task for the 1 month trial period is to fix this error and redo the site.

I haven't even heard of html and css in web development, although one teacher superficially told us what tags and smudges are for a year once every two weeks. fortunately, I had a friend from school who had already eaten a dog on the web. that's why I fucked his brain in ICQ, but he didn't give clear answers, he wrote to me - Googled, Googled and so on for a whole month, the shift flew by like 5 minutes, and I Googled, Googled, Googled. as a result, in a month I trained up, found out where the site files are and what to do with them (notepad forever).
web site was a regular static html5, without any databases and other difficulties. but in a month I made it, or rather I redid it. it certainly wasn't shelevr and there was practically no design there.
But I got a lot of experience, as I like to say, I got an lvlAP. he left the company after 1.5 years. I used that experience in freelancing and for my projects, one of which is feeding me now.

In my younger years, I tried my luck to get a job as an assistant system administrator in one of the construction hypermarkets of my city. At that time I had some experience with linux. Then I already loved debian and the bare console, and webmin, just in case.
I had experience setting up lamps, virtual hosts, a basic skill with interacting with third-party services (later I found out that this is called web hooks). During school time, on an ancient computer with a debian placed in the attic, I deployed a small web service and a simple program compiled via gcc from the source with a stack overflow, tracking the status of the lpt port inputs, as I could.

From the port, I stretched a wire to the sensor on the front door, trained the trigger program to send a request to a local web server, and there, through PHP, there was an appeal to the SMS mailing service. It turns out that when the door opened, SMS fell on my phone. That's how I understood, skipping school, when the parents are washed out of the house.

In short, at the interview, I boasted of my early achievements, like they took. There I learned how to work with cash registers, video surveillance and other things related to trade. I was 21 for a second then. Later, he quit due to circumstances, and took up all sorts of side jobs. Now he has settled for 3 years in the maintenance of elevators as an electrician.
Fuck, I can't believe I could have done this before... Now I haven't really abandoned this case, I have 4 servers for various purposes, video surveillance, homemade alarm system, periodically I have to deal with difficulties in terms of administration.

In the beginning, you need to learn conditions, cycles, procedures, functions, etc. And this can be done in almost any language. So the same python or Pascal will do fine. Someone started to study in Go and nothing. OOP can also be taught in different languages. The same Java, for example.

What I didn't see was the specialization: front end, embed, mobile, etc. For choosing a profession, this is important and will influence what to learn next.

It sounds like you had a very challenging experience during your internship, but you managed to push through and successfully set up the server. Sometimes diving into the unknown and learning on the spot can be the best way to gain new skills and knowledge. Despite all the difficulties you faced, you were able to complete the task and impress your manager. It's great that you were able to come out of this experience with a sense of accomplishment.

Getting into the field of IT without prior knowledge can be challenging, but it is certainly possible. Here are a few steps you can take to start your journey:

1. Self-Education: Start by learning the basics of computer science and IT concepts. There are numerous online resources available such as tutorials, websites, and video courses that can help you gain fundamental knowledge.

2. Choose a Path: Decide which area of IT you want to pursue, such as software development, network administration, cybersecurity, or data analytics. Focus on building skills in that specific area.

3. Hands-On Practice: Practical experience is crucial in IT. Set up a home lab environment where you can experiment with different technologies and practice troubleshooting common problems. This will give you valuable hands-on experience.

4. Certifications: Consider getting industry certifications like CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA, or Microsoft MCSA. These certifications not only validate your skills but also make your resume stand out to potential employers.

5. Networking: Attend IT conferences, meetups, and workshops to connect with professionals in the field. Networking can open doors to job opportunities and provide mentorship and guidance.

6. Internships and Entry-Level Positions: Look for internships or entry-level positions in IT companies. These opportunities can give you practical experience, mentorship, and a chance to learn from professionals in the industry.

7. Continuous Learning: The field of IT is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay updated on new technologies and trends. Join online forums, participate in online communities, and read industry blogs to stay current.

8. Online Learning Platforms: Take advantage of online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX. They offer a wide range of IT courses and programs that can help you acquire technical skills in specific areas.

9. Volunteer or Freelance Work: Offer your services for free or at a reduced rate to gain practical experience. This can be through volunteering for non-profit organizations or taking small freelance projects. Not only will this help you build your portfolio, but it also provides real-world experience.

10. Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio of projects that showcase your skills and abilities. This could be websites, software applications, or any other IT-related work that demonstrates your capabilities. Having a portfolio can significantly enhance your chances of landing a job or internship.

11. Join Online Communities: Participate in online communities and forums dedicated to IT professionals. Engaging with others who share similar interests can help you learn from their experiences, ask questions, and stay up-to-date with industry trends.

12. Constantly Challenge Yourself: Embrace a growth mindset and continuously challenge yourself to learn new technologies and expand your skillset. IT is a rapidly evolving field, so being adaptable and open to learning is essential.

13. Leverage Social Media: Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to connect with professionals in the IT industry. Follow relevant influencers, join specialized groups, and engage in discussions to expand your network and learn from others.

14. Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor who can guide you through your journey in IT. A mentor can provide valuable insights, advice, and support based on their own experiences. Reach out to professionals in your desired field and establish relationships that can help you grow.

15. Stay Persistent: Getting into IT without prior knowledge may require persistence and dedication. Remember that challenges and setbacks are normal, but staying focused and determined will eventually lead to success.

16. Online Coding Platforms: Practice coding on platforms like Codecademy, HackerRank, or LeetCode. These platforms offer interactive exercises and challenges that can strengthen your programming skills.

17. Open-Source Contributions: Contribute to open-source projects on platforms like GitHub. This not only allows you to gain practical experience but also showcases your collaboration skills and commitment to the IT community.

18. IT Bootcamps: Consider enrolling in an IT bootcamp. These intensive, immersive programs provide hands-on training and mentorship to quickly build your technical skills and prepare you for entry-level positions.

19. Specialized IT Courses: Look for specialized IT courses that focus on specific technologies or areas of interest. These courses often provide comprehensive training and practical projects that can quickly enhance your knowledge and abilities.

20. Soft Skills Development: Don't overlook the importance of soft skills. Effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability are all valuable traits in the IT industry. Work on developing these skills alongside technical expertise.

21. Continuous Projects: Continuously work on small projects to practice and reinforce your knowledge. These can be personal projects or collaborations with others. This helps you apply what you've learned and build your confidence.

22. Industry Certifications: Explore industry certifications that are relevant to your desired IT field. These certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional growth, making you more marketable to employers.

23. Networking Events: Attend industry conferences, meetups, or networking events to connect with professionals from the IT field. Building relationships and expanding your network can lead to job opportunities and valuable insights.

24. Stay Up-to-Date: Keep up with the latest trends, news, and advancements in the IT industry. Subscribe to industry publications, podcasts, and newsletters to stay informed and showcase your enthusiasm during interviews.

25. Learn from Mistakes: Embrace failures and challenges as learning opportunities. IT can be complex, and you will encounter setbacks along the way. Learn from your mistakes, iterate, and keep pushing forward.