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IT Support Specialist

Keep people's computers, accounts, and networks working, and help them when they don't.

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 are the first people colleagues call when a laptop won't connect, an account is locked, or new software needs installing. They troubleshoot hardware, operating systems, networks, and accounts, and explain the fix in plain language. Entry-level certifications like CompTIA A+ can get you started without a degree, and the role is a proven launchpad into networking, systems administration, cloud, and cybersecurity.

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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