Skill
Set

A live roadmap of where I'm going, what I'm learning, and how I'm getting there. Updated as I progress — built in public.

The path forward.

Targeting IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Software Development — building real skills through certifications, hands-on home lab work, and daily practice. 2+ hours a day.

Foundation

Months 1 — 3 IN PROGRESS
CompTIA A+ The entry point for IT. Covers hardware, operating systems, networking basics, security fundamentals, and troubleshooting. The common thread across all three target directions.
START HERE Hardware OS Networking Security
Linux command line basics Learn the terminal properly — file system navigation, permissions, processes, and package management. Everything you already do in your home lab will click faster.
Linux Terminal Concurrent
Docker fundamentals Understand what you're already running. Learn containers, images, volumes, networks, and compose files from first principles rather than copy-pasting.
Docker Containers Concurrent

Branching out

Months 4 — 8 UPCOMING
CompTIA Network+ Deeper networking — TCP/IP, DNS, VLANs, subnetting, firewalls, and routing. Essential for IT infrastructure and cybersecurity paths.
Networking DNS TCP/IP
Python fundamentals The best first language for this path. Automate tasks, write scripts for your home lab, and build a foundation for software development and security tooling.
Python Scripting Automation
Home lab — Nginx + Authentik SSO Deploy a reverse proxy and single sign-on system across all self-hosted services. Practical application of networking, Linux, and security concepts all at once.
Home Lab Nginx SSO Security

Specialising

Months 9 — 18 LOCKED
CompTIA Security+ The industry standard entry cert for cybersecurity. Covers threats, cryptography, identity management, and risk. Opens doors to security roles.
Cybersecurity Cryptography Risk
Python — intermediate projects Build real things: home lab automation scripts, API integrations, a small web app. By this point the language should feel natural and projects drive the learning.
Python Projects APIs
Cloud fundamentals — AWS or Azure Cloud is unavoidable in modern IT and dev roles. AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals are both entry level and highly valued by employers.
Cloud AWS Azure DevOps

Always in the background.

Home lab projects Every cert topic gets applied in the real environment. Learning about networking? Configure something. Learning about security? Lock something down.
GitHub — building in public Every project, script, and tool gets pushed to GitHub. The commit history is evidence of consistent work over time — something employers actually look at.
Documentation habit Write down what you build and how. Maintaining personal notes in The Chronicler builds technical writing skills and creates a reference library.
Breaking things on purpose The home lab is a safe environment. Break things intentionally, figure out why, fix them. This is how troubleshooting instincts are built — the most valuable IT skill.

Progress tracking coming soon

Checkboxes and progress indicators will be interactive once login is set up. For now this page is a public record of the plan.