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Career roadmaps/IT & Network Foundation
Help desk → network support

IT & Network Foundation

Build the operating and networking base used across support, administration, and infrastructure roles.

0%path readiness
0%peak evidence
0/8skills at target
0refreshes due
One route · progressively disclosed

Your route to IT & Network Foundation

Each stage keeps the role gate, exact learning sequence, credentials, experience, and skill evidence together. Choose one branch where alternatives exist—you do not need every credential.

0/3role gates currently met
Gate metWork here nextLaterOnly the current stage stays open; completed and later stages are expandable. Update your background →
01
Knowledge gate

IT foundations

Current gate

Prepared for support practice and first-role applications

Exact next step
Choose a branch for this gate

No bounded lesson is selected yet. Review the credential or knowledge options below.

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Knowledge0% current · 60% targetBuild or assess the mapped skills for this gate.
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CredentialOptional hiring signalA+ is a useful first-job signal; equivalent knowledge can replace the credential.
✓
ExperienceRequirement representedNo professional IT experience required to begin.
Learning branchesSuggested credential branchA+ is a useful first-job signal; equivalent knowledge can replace the credential.
A+Knowledge option

CompTIA A+

220-1201 / 220-1202

Not a required purchase or fixed prerequisite.Use the official scope and this stage’s skill evidence.
View certification context →
Skill evidence0/2 representedShow confidence, targets, and freshness
Endpoint & OS operations0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 150d
IT troubleshooting0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 150d
Other resources for this stage3 optional perspectivesThese do not replace the bounded sequence above.
Intune TrainingIntune community training playlists
Free

Free on YouTube The videos are free. Prefer newer playlists and confirm interface steps and product limits in current Microsoft Learn documentation.

Intune practitioners continue to recommend the channel for a second explanation, while noting that older screens and some practices require current-documentation checks.
1 community source

Community reports are anecdotal perspectives, not proof that a course fits every learner.

Access and mapping checked 2026-08-16 · review due 2027-08-16
Open resource ↗
Log completion

Saved as self-reported evidence.

LinkedIn LearningMD-102 Cert Prep by Microsoft Press
Paid

Paid subscription; employer or library access may be available A LinkedIn Learning subscription is normally required; some employers and public libraries include access.

A recent MD-102 pass report singled out the Microsoft Press course as a strong second explanation after official study material.
1 community source

Community reports are anecdotal perspectives, not proof that a course fits every learner.

Access and mapping checked 2026-08-16 · review due 2027-08-16
Open resource ↗
Log completion

Saved as self-reported evidence.

Microsoft LearnManage and secure Microsoft 365 endpoints by using Intune
Free

Free modules; optional paid instruction The learning modules are free. Hands-on work may require access to an Intune-capable tenant or subscription.

Official current course; recent r/Intune discussions still prioritize Microsoft Learn and tenant practice.
1 community source

Community reports are anecdotal perspectives, not proof that a course fits every learner.

Access and mapping checked 2026-08-16 · review due 2027-08-16
Open resource ↗
Log completion

Saved as self-reported evidence.

02
Feeder roleIT support exposureLater gate · Preview details

Can troubleshoot real users, endpoints, permissions, and common services

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Knowledge0% current · 65% targetBuild or assess the mapped skills for this gate.
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CredentialOptional hiring signalA+ can help pass screening, but work samples and customer-facing troubleshooting matter too.
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ExperienceEvidence still usefulHelp desk, desktop support, internship, volunteer IT, or equivalent practical ownership.
Skill evidence0/3 representedShow confidence, targets, and freshness
Endpoint & OS operations0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 150d
IT troubleshooting0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 150d
Identity & access0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 150d
KnowledgeEndpoints · Troubleshoot · Identity
Experience or evidenceHelp desk, desktop support, internship, volunteer IT, or equivalent practical ownership.
Already introduced earlier:CompTIA A+. This gate uses the same credential signal; it does not restart that learning route.
03
Advancement rungNetwork & systems operationsLater gate · Preview details

Competitive for network support and junior infrastructure work

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Knowledge0% current · 70% targetBuild or assess the mapped skills for this gate.
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CredentialOptional hiring signalNetwork+ validates breadth; CCNA is a stronger networking signal. Neither replaces troubleshooting evidence.
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ExperienceEvidence still usefulSupport experience is the common feeder; a strong lab or internship can partially bridge the gap.
Learning branchesChoose the branch that matches the work you wantNetwork+ validates breadth; CCNA is a stronger networking signal. Neither replaces troubleshooting evidence.
Net+0% complete

CompTIA Network+

N10-009

0/154 guided steps
Free perspectives: Professor Messer, BurningIceTech
1 · Networking Concepts0/54 learning steps · Professor Messer + BurningIceTech assignments2 · Network Implementation0/22 learning steps · Professor Messer assignments3 · Network Operations0/30 learning steps · Professor Messer assignments4 · Network Security0/24 learning steps · Professor Messer assignments5 · Network Troubleshooting0/22 learning steps · Professor Messer assignments
Open Net+ route →
CCNA0% complete

Cisco CCNA

200-301 v1.1

0/280 guided steps
Free perspectives: Jeremy's IT Lab, Platform and standards documentation
1 · Network Fundamentals0/66 learning steps · Jeremy's IT Lab + Platform and standards documentation assignments2 · Network Access0/52 learning steps · Jeremy's IT Lab assignments3 · IP Connectivity0/32 learning steps · Jeremy's IT Lab assignments4 · IP Services0/46 learning steps · Jeremy's IT Lab assignments5 · Security Fundamentals0/48 learning steps · Jeremy's IT Lab + Platform and standards documentation assignments6 · Automation and Programmability0/34 learning steps · Jeremy's IT Lab assignments
Open CCNA route →
Linux+0% complete

CompTIA Linux+

XK0-006

0/142 guided steps
Free perspectives: Tertiary Courses, Linux project documentation
1 · System Management0/34 learning steps · Tertiary Courses + Linux project documentation assignments2 · Services and User Management0/24 learning steps · Tertiary Courses assignments3 · Security0/30 learning steps · Tertiary Courses + Linux project documentation assignments4 · Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting0/22 learning steps · Tertiary Courses + Linux project documentation assignments5 · Troubleshooting0/30 learning steps · Tertiary Courses + Linux project documentation assignments
Open Linux+ route →
Skill evidence0/3 representedShow confidence, targets, and freshness
Network fundamentals0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 180d
Switching & routing0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 120d
Linux operations0%
0 evidence eventshalf-life 120d
How readiness is calculatedSee the decay formula, evidence strengths, sources, and limitations in one place.View methodology →