Beginner’s Roadmap: Which Tech Skills to Learn First— A 90-Day Plan to Get Job-Rea

 

Starting a career in tech can feel overwhelming. There are so many tools, languages, and paths. This article gives a clear, simple roadmap you can follow in 90 days. No fluff—just the skills you need, a step-by-step plan, and project ideas that show employers you can do real work.

Why a 90-day roadmap helps

A short, focused plan forces you to learn by doing. Instead of trying to read everything, you’ll build small projects that teach the core ideas. Employers care about what you can show—not how many courses you finished. Follow this roadmap and you’ll have a portfolio piece, basic interview answers, and confidence to keep growing.

Basic foundations everyone should learn first (Days 1–30)

These are the building blocks no matter which tech path you choose.

• Command line basics
  Learn to navigate folders, create files, and run simple scripts. This makes everything faster.

• Git & GitHub
  Learn commits, branches, and pull requests. Put your code on GitHub so others can see your work.

• Basic programming logic
  Pick one language: Python (easy for data and scripting) or JavaScript (essential for web). Learn variables, loops, functions, and simple data structures.

• How the web works (high level)
  Know what HTML, CSS, and JavaScript do, and what an API is. You don’t need to be an expert—just understand the parts.

Goal for days 1–30: Complete short tutorials for each item and finish a tiny “vertical slice” project (for example, a one-page site or a script that processes a CSV).

Choose one role path (Days 31–60).

After foundations, pick one path and focus. Don’t spread yourself thin.

Web Developer

• Learn HTML & CSS more deeply (layout, flexbox, responsive design).

• Learn JavaScript fundamentals and one framework/library (React or Vue basics).

• Project: Personal portfolio site with at least one interactive page.

Data/Analytics

• Learn SQL for querying data.

• Learn basic Python for data (pandas) and simple charts.

• Project: A dashboard or report from a public dataset (CSV → clean → visualize).

DevOps / Cloud Basics

• Learn Docker: build and run containers.

• Learn basic Linux commands and how to use SSH.

• Understand cloud basics (deploying an app to a free tier).

• Project: Dockerize a small app and deploy it.

Machine Learning Starter

• Continue Python and learn NumPy/Pandas.

• Learn one simple model (linear regression or basic classification) and how to evaluate it.

• Project: A small notebook that trains and explains a model on a public dataset.

Goal for days 31–60: Build the first full project for your chosen path and document it in a README.

Polish, deploy, and prepare to apply (Days 61–90)

Now turn projects into proof you can show.

• Finish one integrated project. Make it complete: README, screenshots, demo link, and notes on what you learned.

• Deploy or make it easy to run. A deployed demo or a clear “how to run” helps recruiters and interviewers.

• Write a short case study. One page explaining the problem, your approach, and results.

• Practice talking about your work. Explain your project in 2 minutes and in 5 minutes.

• Apply and network. Start applying for junior roles and ask for feedback from peers or mentors.

Goal for days 61–90: Have at least one polished portfolio piece, a published demo or video, and 5 job applications or networking messages sent.

Learning habits that speed results

• Build first, learn as needed. Start a tiny project and learn tools only when you need them.

• Daily practice: Even 1 hour a day beats long, irregular sessions.

• Deliberate practice: Focus on a small skill, repeat it, and push a bit beyond comfort.

• Share progress: Post small updates on GitHub or LinkedIn. It helps you stay accountable and attract feedback.

• Get feedback: Join communities, ask for code reviews, or find a study buddy.

Project ideas (starter → showable)

• Web: Personal portfolio + contact form, blog template, or a simple to-do app.

• Data: Sales dashboard from a public dataset or an analysis showing trends and visuals.

• DevOps: Containerize a web app and deploy to a free cloud tier.

• ML: Small classifier (e.g., predict if text is positive/negative) with explanation and accuracy metrics.

Quick resource types (what to look for)

• Short interactive tutorials (playgrounds and sandboxes)

• Project-based courses (one small project per module)

• Official docs for tools you use (they are often the clearest)

• Community help (Discord, Stack Overflow, Reddit) for quick answers

Common questions

• How long until I get a junior job? Many people reach interview-ready skills in 3–6 months with steady work. Results vary by time spent, focus, and local job market.

• Do I need a degree? No. A clear portfolio and the ability to explain your work matter more.

• What if I change my mind? That’s normal. The foundations you learn (Git, programming logic, and command line) apply across roles.

Final words—start small and ship something.

Pick one path, follow the 90-day plan, and finish at least one real project. Small, complete projects show more than large, unfinished ones. If you want, I can:

• build a tailored 90-day plan for web, data, DevOps, or ML, or

• Give a week-by-week checklist for the path you pick.

Tell me which path, and I’ll create a ready-to-follow weekly plan you can start today.