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IT Support Specialist

Troubleshoot and fix computers, software, accounts and network problems for users.

technicalnetworkinghands-oncommunicationoperations
Start with: STEM Foundations: The Universal Skill StackTake the career survey

Career facts

Preparation
Medium preparation needed · vocational training, an associate degree or an apprenticeship
Ways in
  • Industry certification
  • Associate degree
  • Portfolio of projects
Field
Software, data & cyber

About this career

IT support specialists answer help requests, set up laptops and accounts, install software, reset passwords and diagnose network or hardware faults. They use ticketing systems, remote desktop tools, Windows and macOS administration, and basic networking. Entry is often a certification such as CompTIA A+ or an associate degree; a four-year degree is not required.

Learning path

Take these courses in order, from beginner to mid-level.

  1. Step 1: STEM Foundations: The Universal Skill Stack

    The shared base every STEM career uses: working with numbers and units, testing ideas fairly, handling data and code, and explaining your work.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 18mAlso used in 34 other careers

  2. Step 2: Digital Literacy for Tech & STEM Work

    The everyday computer, internet, safety and AI skills every tech and STEM job assumes you already have.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 6h 8mAlso used in 34 other careers

  3. Step 3: Professional Communication & Teamwork

    Write clear emails and documents, present and run meetings, work well on teams, and navigate résumés, interviews and networking.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 24mAlso used in 34 other careers

  4. Step 4: Math for Tech & STEM

    The practical math behind tech and STEM work: numbers, algebra, functions, geometry, logic and counting, with short code exercises.

    Level: Beginner5 modules · 15 lessons · 7h 32mAlso used in 34 other careers

  5. Step 5: Git & the Command Line

    Use the terminal with confidence, track your work with Git, and collaborate on GitHub with pull requests.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 57mAlso used in 15 other careers

  6. Step 6: Networking Fundamentals

    Learn how data moves between computers: layers, IP addresses and subnets, ports, DNS, DHCP, HTTPS, and the tools to troubleshoot it.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 11mAlso used in 8 other careers

  7. Step 7: Foundations for Software, Data, Design & Tech Education Careers

    Understand tech roles and career ladders, pick a realistic learning route, build portfolio evidence, and navigate postings, interviews and your first 90 days.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 7h 22mAlso used in 20 other careers

  8. Step 8: Cybersecurity Fundamentals

    Think like a defender: network attack surface, threat modeling, the OWASP Top 10, core controls, identity, cryptography, frameworks and the rules of ethical testing.

    Level: Intermediate4 modules · 12 lessons · 5h 50mAlso used in 4 other careers

  9. Step 9: Linux Administration

    Run a Linux server with confidence: users and permissions, services, packages, logs, SSH keys, bash scripts and scheduled jobs.

    Level: Intermediate3 modules · 9 lessons · 10h 12mAlso used in 6 other careers

  10. Step 10: Security Operations & Defense

    Run day-to-day defense like a SOC analyst: logging and SIEM hunting, IDS alerts, incident response, triage, forensics, vulnerability management, hardening, cloud posture and MITRE ATT&CK.

    Level: Mid-level4 modules · 12 lessons · 8h 6mAlso used in 1 other career

Skills you'll build

Networking

How computers talk to each other — TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP. Required for any backend or security role.

Command Line

The terminal — how programmers automate tasks and run tools without a graphical UI.

Security Fundamentals

Authentication, authorization, encryption, common attack patterns. Defense in depth.

Cloud Fundamentals

Core concepts of cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure): compute, storage, networking, IAM.

Problem Solving

Breaking big, vague problems into small concrete steps. The most transferable skill in tech.

Free resources to get started

Hand-picked courses and reading from trusted free providers.

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