Research & Training Resources for Aspiring IT Professionals and DIYers

Welcome to my curated guide for anyone looking to deepen their IT knowledge or dive into new tech skills. Whether you’re a DIYer exploring hands-on solutions or an aspiring IT professional aiming to sharpen your expertise, this list offers targeted topics and practical exercises across various areas of IT. From mastering programming languages like C# and JavaScript to understanding cloud administration with AWS, these resources cover both foundational and advanced concepts.

Each section includes recommendations for further reading from trusted industry journals like InfoWorld and ZDNet to help you stay updated on the latest trends and deepen your understanding. Dive into the topics that intrigue you, and use this guide as a stepping stone toward expanding your IT skill set!

1. C# Programming & Advanced Concepts
   • Review object-oriented programming principles.
   • Explore C# 10 features and new language updates.
   • Practice creating REST APIs using C#.
   • Relevant Journals:
     • InfoWorld
     • ZDNet
2. PowerShell Scripting
   • Study PowerShell for automating Windows administrative tasks.
   • Review cmdlets for managing cloud environments like AWS.
   • Write scripts to automate common IT processes.
   • Relevant Journals:
     • TechRepublic
     • The Register
3. SQL & Database Management
   • Refresh SQL queries (SELECT, JOIN, etc.).
   • Learn advanced SQL functions (window functions, subqueries).
   • Practice creating and managing SQL databases, focusing on performance optimization.
   • Relevant Journals:
     • ZDNet
     • Ars Technica
4. PHP Development
   • Review PHP basics and popular frameworks like Laravel.
   • Practice building a simple web application using PHP.
   • Explore connecting PHP apps with cloud services (AWS, etc.).
   • Relevant Journals:
     • InfoWorld
     • Wired
5. AWS EC2 Administration
   • Study launching, managing, and troubleshooting EC2 instances.
   • Review best practices for securing EC2 instances (key pairs, firewalls).
   • Set up automated backups and scaling options for EC2.
   • Relevant Journals:
     • TechRepublic
     • DevOps.com
6. HTML & CSS
   • Explore modern HTML5 and CSS3 features.
   • Practice responsive web design techniques.
   • Study CSS Flexbox/Grid for layout structuring.
   • Relevant Journals:
     • Ars Technica
     • The Register
7. JavaScript
   • Review ES6+ features (arrow functions, promises, async/await).
   • Explore browser-based JavaScript (building simple games or animations).
   • Refresh knowledge of JavaScript frameworks (React or Vue.js).
   • Relevant Journals:
     • InfoWorld
     • ZDNet
8. Cloud Services (AWS S3, EC2, Lambda)
   • Review setting up and securing AWS S3 buckets.
   • Practice automating tasks with AWS Lambda.
   • Explore setting up serverless architecture using AWS services.
   • Relevant Journals:
     • TechRepublic
     • ZDNet
9. API Development & Integration
   • Study RESTful API principles.
   • Build a simple API using C# or PHP.
   • Explore connecting APIs with frontend applications.
   • Relevant Journals:
     • InfoWorld
     • Wired
10. WordPress Development
    • Study creating custom WordPress plugins.
    • Practice customizing WordPress themes and blocks.
    • Explore integrating APIs into WordPress for dynamic content.
    • Relevant Journals:
      • TechRepublic
      • ZDNet
11. Mailchimp & WordPress Integration
    • Refresh steps for syncing Mailchimp with WordPress.
    • Explore using APIs to connect WordPress with mailing services like Mailchimp.
    • Study strategies for automating email campaigns via WordPress.
    • Relevant Journals:
      • ZDNet
      • The Register
12. Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
    • Study the phases of SDLC (Planning, Design, Development, Testing, Deployment).
    • Refresh Agile vs. Waterfall methodology comparison.
    • Explore best practices for managing software development projects.
    • Relevant Journals:
      • InfoWorld
      • TechRepublic
13. Automation & Scripting
    • Study the use of PowerShell for automating system tasks.
    • Practice writing automation scripts for database refreshes or file transfers.
    • Explore AutoHotKey for automating repetitive tasks.
    • Relevant Journals:
      • DevOps.com
      • ZDNet
14. Non-Profit Tech Solutions
    • Research the specific tech needs of non-profits (e.g., donation platforms, CRM systems).
    • Explore grant management software and solutions tailored to non-profits.
    • Study how cloud technology can benefit non-profit operations.
    • Relevant Journals:
      • CIO
      • TechRepublic
15. Mentoring & Team Collaboration
    • Explore best practices for mentoring junior developers.
    • Study how to facilitate remote collaboration (tools like Slack, GitHub).
    • Practice delivering effective technical documentation and training materials.
    • Relevant Journals:
      • Wired
      • InfoWorld