u/Inner-Matter-4825

I don’t know if this is the right place to ask this, but I’ll give it a shot.

I’m a 28-year old Black guy (Nigerian) who recently moved from Winnipeg to Abbotsford, and honestly I’ve been finding it hard to meet women around my age here. Before anyone suggests Tipsy bar, most of the people I come across there seem way younger than the age range I’m comfortable dating.

I’m open to dating any race mainly because there aren’t many Black people around here from what I’ve seen so far.

I guess I’m just trying to figure out where people in Abbotsford actually go to socialize or meet new people on weekends. The city definitely has beautiful women I see people around every day going to and from work but I can’t seem to find many social events or gatherings.

Any suggestions for places, events, hobbies, or ways to meet people here?

Hey guys I need a real person point of view, I plan to break into IT without experience not devop, but I'm in a 1 year program for software development(starting it before I made my research) planning on finishing it. But I have registered for CompTIA A+ and planning on doing networking next, also planning on doing master’s too.

All this is my goal in the next 2 years because I'm working a job right now not it related and doing this job for 2 years then switch to IT I ask ask ChatGPT for road map and it gave me this.

The goal for my IT Carrer in the next 2 years.

Things to do to land my first IT job in the next 2 years:

✅ OPTIMIZED 2-YEAR PLAN (While Working Non-IT Job)

🟢 PHASE 1 (Months 0–4)

Goal: Build foundations + momentum

Continue:

• CompTIA A+

• Networking basics

• Your software dev program (Java + Python)

Add:

• Linux (daily practice)

• Git

Output:

• 2–3 small projects (GitHub)

👉 No RHCE yet

🔵 PHASE 2 (Months 4–8)

Goal: Enter cloud + practical skills

Start:

• Microsoft Azure (or AWS)

• Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Build projects:

• Deploy a web app to cloud

• Connect database

• Basic automation

👉 This is FAR more valuable than rushing RHCE

🟣 PHASE 3 (Months 8–14)

Goal: Become “job-ready”

Learn:

• Docker

• Basic CI/CD

• Intro to Terraform

NOW do:

• Red Hat Certified System Administrator

👉 This is the correct Linux cert for your stage

🔴 PHASE 4 (Months 12–18)

Goal: Start breaking into tech (don’t wait full 2 years)

Start applying to:

• IT Support

• Junior Cloud roles

• Junior DevOps roles

Even if you’re working another job:

👉 Try to switch earlier if possible

🟡 PHASE 5 (Months 18–24)

Goal: Level up + specialize

Now consider:

• Red Hat Certified Engineer ✅ (NOW it makes sense)

• Intermediate cloud certs

Add AI layer:

• Azure OpenAI Service

• Build AI-powered apps

🎓 MASTER’S DEGREE (REAL TALK)

❌ Don’t do it during these 2 years unless:

• It’s cheap

• It’s flexible (part-time/online)

✅ Best timing:

After:

👉 1–3 years of real tech experience

🎯 Best degrees for YOUR goals:

If you want all 3 (best choice):

• Computer Science (AI / Systems focus)

If you lean leadership:

• Information Systems / IT Management

⚖️ Your Plan vs Optimized Plan

Area Your Plan Optimized

Work 2 years non-IT ✅ Fine ✅ Keep

A+ / Network+ ✅ Good ✅ Keep

RHCE early ❌ Too soon ⏳ Delay

Master’s early ❌ Low ROI ⏳ Delay

Cloud Missing ✅ ADD

Projects Not emphasized ✅ CRITICAL

Job entry timing After 2 years ⚠️ Start earlier

🚀 KEY STRATEGY SHIFT

Instead of:

“Study for 2 years, then enter tech”

Do this:

“Work + build skills + try to enter tech within 12–18 months”

💡 Weekly Structure (While Working Full-Time)

Realistic plan:

• 1–2 hours/day (weekdays)

• 4–6 hours (weekends)

Split:

• 40% coding (Python)

• 30% cloud

• 20% Linux

• 10% networking

🔥 If You Follow This Plan

In 2 years, you could be:

• Already in a tech job

• With:

o Cloud skills

o Linux foundation

o DevOps exposure

o AI basics

👉 Not just “certified”—but hireable

🧠 Final Advice (Straight Up)

• RHCE = powerful, but only after experience

• Master’s = multiplier, not entry ticket

• Projects + cloud = your fastest breakthrough

Can you advice for this ? I feel this is more devop I wanna manage IT infrastructure, networking, firewall and hardware systems.

Hey everyone, I need brutally honest advice.

I have no IT background but I’m planning to switch into IT as a career. So far, I’ve paid for CompTIA A+ and plan to do Network+ next. I’m also currently in a 1-year software development program.

Long-term, I’m aiming for something like an IT manager or director role because I like the challenge and, honestly, the salary. Because of that, I’ve been thinking about doing a master’s degree down the line.

My rough plan was:

- Get a government job for a couple of years (to have stable income)

- Use that time to study for a master’s and stack certifications

- Learn programming on the side

- Also get RHCSA and RHCE to deepen my knowledge

But when I asked ChatGPT, it suggested I skip the master’s (for now), focus on getting real experience first, and maybe look more into cloud-related IT roles instead.

So now I’m confused and would really appreciate real-world advice:

1. With how fast AI is evolving, is going into IT still worth it?

2. What areas in IT are actually worth focusing on right now?

3. Does a master’s degree really open doors in IT, or is experience more important?

I’m open to any honest feedback—even if it’s harsh. Thanks in advance.