1. Focus on core computer programming knowledge. Data structures, low level assembly programming, unix, and computational complexity. You may not use those in day to day work, but they distinguish you from script-kiddies and vibe coders. 2. Get an internship or work on open source projects. Find a mentor that way. Be bold! Don't worry about being the newbie. Everyone knows you're new. Just go for it and do your best. 3. I have over 15 years experience as a software dev and I don't have a single certificate. They are mostly a money making scheme for companies that own the software. However, a certificate might help get your foot in the door of your first dev ops role. 4. Entry level work has been decimated recently by layoffs and AI enthusiasm. Old school computer science skills and open source work or internships go a long way because you will both build experience and connections. The people you know will do more to get you your first job than any skill set. When I started programming, I contacted everyone I knew in the field to create a network. That eventually got me an internship and then a job. 5. IT degrees are probably less valuable that computer science degrees. IT degrees are really job training. Computer Science is more fundamental academics and sets you up for more jobs and advanced degrees. 6. Many of you will experience "imposter syndrome". The feeling that everyone knows more than you, or that you're not cut out for the work. Remember that most people are not born to do the profession they find themselves in. If you like IT/programming, but you aren't one of the one in ten million born super nerds, don't worry. You can still have a great career, make good money, and enjoy your work. Don't be afraid to be bold, make decisions, and keep learning. I've seen people get fired for doing nothing. I've never seen someone get fired for being decisive and bold, even if they make some mistakes.
Help desk support, junior QA testing, and web development at the start-up level are typically the most easily available entry-level jobs for graduates. Candidates become more appealing after they demonstrate greater problem-solving skills, basic coding competence, and learning new technologies quickly. Soft skills like communication and flexibility are magic as well since a majority of the entry-level positions involve direct contact with teams or end-users.
I've seen many graduates transition from online IT programs into working in practical roles and I've found the difference between them comes down to how they approach the skills and certifications together. When it comes to really important technical skills though, I'd say that it's networking, system administration and security basics. In my world, for example, a misconfigured firewall can bring a school system down in minutes. Coding is useful but having an understanding of the infrastructure keeps systems running. Online students have access to hands-on exposure in simulations and cloud-based labs. Services such as AWS free tiers or sandboxed networks are available to practice what is seen in real world setups. That's why a balance between a degree and certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA or AWS Cloud Practitioner is smart. Employers want the theoretic knowledge and the applied credentials. Entry level jobs like help desk, junior sysadmin or network support are reasonable jobs to start with. What really does help candidates to stand out, however, is the ability to explain technical solutions clearly to non-technical colleagues. An IT degree, unlike computer science or software engineering, is closer to operations and that means that students can make an informed decision early on whether they want to design systems or maintain them.