u/nba2k192017

Hello everyone,

I’m new here and I just recently graduated from senior high school. I’m an incoming first-year college student taking up IT.

I wanted to ask for advice from current IT students and professionals here.

Since I’m still early in my journey, I want to make sure I maximize my 4 years in college instead of just focusing on academics.

My main questions are:

• Is it okay or even recommended to start internships early (like during 1st–2nd year)?
• At what year level do students usually start applying for internships in IT?
• What skills should I prioritize early on (programming, networking, cybersecurity, cloud, etc.)?
• How important are projects or portfolio-building compared to grades in IT?
• What are the best ways to gain real-world experience while still studying?

My goal is to build strong technical skills and experience step-by-step throughout college so I can become more prepared for future job opportunities after graduation.

I would really appreciate any advice, experiences, or tips from those who are already in the IT field or currently studying IT.

Thank you in advance!

I’m 17, 5'9", and currently overweight. I’ve always wanted to be really athletic, but my weight has been holding me back. I’m looking for advice on what steps I can take to reach my full potential, aside from just losing weight.