Path Into IT: From Zero to Your First Job

Seven stages almost every beginner goes through — with realistic timelines for each, no sugarcoating.

2–3 weeks

Start: HTML and CSS

Page markup, boxes, spacing, basic layout — understanding what a web page is actually made of.

4–6 weeks

JavaScript Fundamentals

Variables, functions, loops, arrays and objects — the language everything else in this path is built on.

3–4 weeks

DOM and First Interactive Projects

A to-do list, a calculator, a timer — the first things that react to clicks and actually work in the browser.

1–2 weeks

Git and Working With Others

Commits, branches, a repo on GitHub — a minimal skill set without which you won't even land an internship.

4–6 weeks

A Portfolio of 3–5 Projects

Finished work you can show an employer — matters more than a degree for entry-level roles.

2–3 weeks

Resume and Job Applications

Resume, cover letter, a LinkedIn profile — this stage often runs in parallel with building your portfolio.

1–3 months

Interviews and Your First Offer

The least predictable stage — timing depends heavily on the market, your region, and how persistently you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you study more than 15 hours a week and overlap stages that don't strictly depend on each other — for example, preparing your resume alongside your portfolio.

No. Web employers usually look at your portfolio and problem-solving ability more than a degree — especially for entry-level roles.

The timeframes are estimates, not hard deadlines. A flexible schedule is fine — what matters is completing each stage meaningfully, not quickly.

Not the finish — the start

The First Three Stages — Already Covered

A free JavaScript course with practice after every lesson walks you through the fundamentals, the DOM, and your first projects — stages 1–2 of this path.

🎓 Get the course on Udemy ▶️ Try it on YouTube

Path Into IT: From Zero to Your First Job

Frequently Asked Questions

The First Three Stages — Already Covered

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