Hello! My name is Daniel.
Even though I have no real IT background, I got a job in IT. This is how it happened.
My work-life started as a forwarding agent. Sending trucks around and talking on the phone the whole day. To put it gently, I didn’t like it that much. I still did that for nine years. But there was always this thing that fascinated me. Programming. So I spent my spare time on all kinds of platforms learning about it.
It all took off when I started a new job, again in logistics. We used a system for our production, which a former employee programmed. Of course, it stored all the production data in a database. This was my first real contact to a SQL database in use. I wanted to find out how it worked, so I learned again in my spare time on TeamTreehouse, this time SQL.
Soon it was way easier for me to get data out and into the database using SQL, instead of the program which had its flaws. Not long after that, my boss gave me a great opportunity. I attended a programming course for C# so I could improve the software we used. After finishing that course I switched to the IT department of the company. My spare time learning switched to cyber security.
Now thinking back, I’m not even sure anymore how I started. I think it was a combination of overthewires bandit and TCMs (the cyber mentor) ethical hacking course on youtube. Also, some tryhackme practice and elearnsecurity (now INE) studying. I finished my eJPT and started working on the ePPT, but got sidetracked soon. My motivation for cyber security suffered a little, but I wanted to broaden my general IT knowledge. Since I was curious about compTIA I first tried their ITF+ certification and after that, I also finished the A+ certification. I like compTIA. For both certifications, I got the kinda expensive “complete” bundle. These include their CertMaster Learn + Labs and CertMaster Practice, as well as an exam voucher and a retake. Yes, it costs a bit more than the other bundles. But if you can afford it, it is a great way to learn.
In October 2021 I started studying software design at the university for applied science in Kapfenberg, Austria. So I am still learning, but less self-paced, more on a schedule.