Version: 3.0.0
Tracks: 3 (Help Desk → SysAdmin → DevOps)
Total Duration: 18-24 months
Language: Spanish (with English documentation)
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CAREER PROGRESSION │
│ │
│ Month 1-3 Month 4-12 Month 13-24 │
│ ┌─────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ │
│ │ HELP │ → │ SYSADMIN │ → │ DEVOPS │ │
│ │ DESK │ │ │ │ ENGINEER │ │
│ └─────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ │
│ │
│ 7 Modules 8 Modules 10 Modules │
│ 25 Labs 85 Labs 120 Labs │
│ 1 Project 1 Capstone 1 Major Capstone │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Objective: Understand IT department structure, ticketing workflow, and professional communication.
Topics:
- What does IT actually do?
- Help Desk vs Service Desk vs SysAdmin roles
- Ticket lifecycle (creation → closure)
- ITIL v4 basics (Incident, Request, Problem, Change)
- Knowledge Base importance
- Professional communication (email, phone, chat)
- Troubleshooting methodology (CompTIA 6 steps)
Labs (5):
- Lab 1.1.1: Create 10 sample tickets (different types)
- Lab 1.1.2: Write 5 KB articles (common issues)
- Lab 1.1.3: Role-play customer calls (record & review)
- Lab 1.1.4: ITIL scenario exercises (20 scenarios)
- Lab 1.1.5: Email etiquette practice (10 scenarios)
Certification Alignment: ITIL v4 Foundation
Assessment:
- Written exam (50 questions, 80% passing)
- Practical: Handle 5 simulated tickets end-to-end
- KB article quality review
Objective: Diagnose and resolve common hardware issues systematically.
Topics:
- PC anatomy (CPU, RAM, storage, motherboard, PSU, GPU)
- HDD vs SSD vs NVMe (performance comparison)
- Common failure symptoms and diagnostics
- Troubleshooting methodology (6-step CompTIA process)
- Diagnostic tools (memtest86, CrystalDiskInfo, HWMonitor)
- Peripheral troubleshooting (printers, monitors, docking stations)
- Laptop-specific issues (battery, screen, keyboard)
Labs (8):
- Lab 1.2.1: Disassemble and reassemble a PC (physical or virtual)
- Lab 1.2.2: Identify component bottlenecks (10 scenarios)
- Lab 1.2.3: Run diagnostic tools and interpret results
- Lab 1.2.4: Troubleshoot 10 simulated hardware failures
- Lab 1.2.5: Printer troubleshooting (5 common issues)
- Lab 1.2.6: Create hardware troubleshooting flowchart
- Lab 1.2.7: Performance optimization (before/after benchmarks)
- Lab 1.2.8: Build a PC from scratch (virtual or physical)
Certification Alignment: CompTIA A+ Core 1
Assessment:
- Practical exam: Diagnose 5 hardware issues in 30 minutes
- Flowchart submission for common troubleshooting paths
- KB article: "Systematic Hardware Troubleshooting Guide"
Objective: Master Windows 10/11 administration and troubleshooting.
Topics:
- Windows 10 vs 11 (key differences)
- Installation and deployment methods
- User account management (local accounts)
- File systems (NTFS, permissions, sharing)
- Built-in administration tools
- Windows Update management
- Common troubleshooting scenarios
- Introduction to PowerShell
Labs (12):
- Lab 1.3.1: Clean Windows 11 installation (VM)
- Lab 1.3.2: Create and manage 10 local users
- Lab 1.3.3: Configure NTFS permissions (5 scenarios)
- Lab 1.3.4: Use Event Viewer for troubleshooting
- Lab 1.3.5: Windows Update configuration and troubleshooting
- Lab 1.3.6: PowerShell basics (10 essential commands)
- Lab 1.3.7: System restore and recovery options
- Lab 1.3.8: Group Policy basics (local GPO)
- Lab 1.3.9: Performance monitoring (Resource Monitor, PerfMon)
- Lab 1.3.10: Common issue troubleshooting (10 scenarios)
- Lab 1.3.11: Create deployment checklist
- Lab 1.3.12: KB article series (5 common Windows issues)
Certification Alignment: Microsoft MD-102
Assessment:
- Practical: Complete 12 labs with documentation
- Written exam: Windows administration (50 questions)
- Portfolio: KB articles created
Objective: Understand and troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
Topics:
- OSI Model (practical understanding)
- TCP/IP fundamentals
- IP addressing (IPv4, subnetting basics)
- DHCP (how it works, troubleshooting)
- DNS (how it works, troubleshooting)
- Network diagnostic tools (ping, ipconfig, nslookup, tracert)
- Wi-Fi fundamentals (SSID, security, channels)
- Basic network security (firewall concepts)
Labs (10):
- Lab 1.4.1: Build a home lab network (physical or virtual)
- Lab 1.4.2: Configure static IP addresses (Windows & Linux)
- Lab 1.4.3: DHCP troubleshooting (5 scenarios)
- Lab 1.4.4: DNS troubleshooting (5 scenarios)
- Lab 1.4.5: Use all diagnostic tools (comprehensive exercise)
- Lab 1.4.6: Subnetting practice (20 exercises)
- Lab 1.4.7: Wi-Fi analysis and optimization
- Lab 1.4.8: Windows Firewall configuration
- Lab 1.4.9: Network troubleshooting scenarios (10 cases)
- Lab 1.4.10: Create network documentation template
Certification Alignment: CompTIA Network+
Assessment:
- Practical: Troubleshoot 5 network issues in 45 minutes
- Subnetting exam (20 questions, 90% passing)
- Network diagram submission for home lab
Objective: Communicate effectively and manage stress in support role.
Topics:
- Understanding customer psychology
- Active listening techniques
- De-escalation strategies
- Setting expectations
- Saying "no" professionally
- Documentation for customer interactions
- Time management for support
- Avoiding burnout
Labs (5):
- Lab 1.5.1: Record and review 5 mock calls
- Lab 1.5.2: Email rewriting exercise (10 poor emails → professional)
- Lab 1.5.3: Difficult customer scenarios (10 role-plays)
- Lab 1.5.4: Stress management techniques (practice)
- Lab 1.5.5: Time management simulation (prioritize 20 tickets)
Assessment:
- Role-play evaluation (5 scenarios, graded)
- Email writing test (10 scenarios)
- Reflection essay: "My Customer Service Philosophy"
Objective: Master ticketing workflow and SLA management.
Topics:
- Ticketing system overview (Jira, ServiceNow, Zendesk)
- Ticket lifecycle and workflows
- SLA management
- Categorization and prioritization
- Reporting and metrics
- Integration with other tools
- Best practices for ticket documentation
Labs (3):
- Lab 1.6.1: Set up Jira Service Management (free tier)
- Lab 1.6.2: Create 20 sample tickets (all types)
- Lab 1.6.3: Configure SLAs and workflows
- Lab 1.6.4: Create reports and dashboards
- Lab 1.6.5: Integration exercise (email → ticket)
Assessment:
- Practical: Complete setup and configuration
- Report submission: Ticket metrics analysis
- Documentation: Workflow diagram
Deliverables:
-
Portfolio Website (GitHub Pages)
- About me
- Skills list
- Projects showcase
- Contact information
-
Resume & LinkedIn
- Professional resume (ATS-friendly)
- Optimized LinkedIn profile
- Skills endorsements strategy
-
Mock Interviews
- Technical questions (50 common Help Desk questions)
- Behavioral questions (STAR method)
- Record and review practice sessions
-
Capstone Project
- Complete documentation of a full troubleshooting scenario
- From ticket creation to resolution
- Include KB article creation
Job Search Strategy:
- Where to look (LinkedIn, Indeed, company websites)
- How to apply (tailored resumes, cover letters)
- Networking (local meetups, online communities)
- Salary negotiation basics
Full detailed curriculum in separate document: CURRICULUM_PHASE2.md
8 Modules | 85 Labs | 1 Capstone Project
| Module | Topic | Duration | Labs | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Active Directory Deep Dive | Month 4 | 20 labs | AZ-800/801 |
| 2.2 | Windows Server Administration | Month 5-6 | 15 labs | AZ-800/801 |
| 2.3 | Linux Administration | Month 7-8 | 18 labs | Linux+ / LFCS |
| 2.4 | Advanced Networking | Month 8-9 | 12 labs | Network+ / CCNA |
| 2.5 | Virtualization (VMware/Hyper-V) | Month 9-10 | 10 labs | VCP / AZ-104 |
| 2.6 | Backup & Disaster Recovery | Month 10 | 8 labs | - |
| 2.7 | Monitoring & Alerting | Month 11 | 6 labs | - |
| 2.8 | Capstone Project | Month 12 | Full infrastructure | Portfolio piece |
Full detailed curriculum in separate document: CURRICULUM_PHASE3.md
10 Modules | 120 Labs | 1 Major Capstone
| Module | Topic | Duration | Labs | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Programming for DevOps (Python) | Month 13-14 | 15 projects | PCEP / PCAP |
| 3.2 | Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) | Month 15 | 12 labs | Terraform Associate |
| 3.3 | Configuration Management (Ansible) | Month 16 | 10 labs | - |
| 3.4 | CI/CD Pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins) | Month 17 | 10 labs | - |
| 3.5 | Containerization (Docker) | Month 18 | 12 labs | DCA |
| 3.6 | Container Orchestration (Kubernetes) | Month 19-20 | 20 labs | CKA |
| 3.7 | Cloud Platform (AWS/Azure) | Month 20-21 | 25 labs | AWS SAA / AZ-104 |
| 3.8 | Monitoring & Observability | Month 22 | 8 labs | - |
| 3.9 | Security & Compliance (DevSecOps) | Month 23 | 10 labs | Security+ |
| 3.10 | Final Capstone Project | Month 24 | Full DevOps pipeline | Portfolio centerpiece |
See: AI-ASSISTANT-GUIDE.md for complete guide on building your AI assistant.
Duration: 2-4 weeks (can be done parallel with any phase)
Topics:
- OpenClaw installation and configuration
- Custom skill development for SysAdmin tasks
- Log analysis automation
- Incident triage assistant
- Documentation automation
- Script generation
- Monitoring integration
Outcome: 10x productivity improvement on routine tasks
| Type | Frequency | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Lab completion | Weekly | Hands-on skill verification |
| Quizzes | Per module | Knowledge check |
| KB articles | Monthly | Documentation skills |
| Portfolio reviews | Quarterly | Progress tracking |
| Phase | Assessment | Duration | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Practical exam + portfolio | 4 hours | 80% |
| Phase 2 | Capstone project defense | 2 hours | 85% |
| Phase 3 | Major capstone + presentation | 4 hours | 90% |
| Month | Certification | Cost | Study Time | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ITIL v4 Foundation | $380 | 2 weeks | High |
| 3 | CompTIA A+ (optional) | $480 | 4 weeks | Medium |
| 6 | Microsoft MD-102 | $165 | 3 weeks | Medium |
| 9 | CompTIA Network+ | $358 | 4 weeks | High |
| 12 | CompTIA Security+ | $392 | 4 weeks | High |
| 15 | Linux+ or LFCS | $358 | 6 weeks | High |
| 18 | AWS SAA or AZ-104 | $150-165 | 8 weeks | High |
| 24 | CKA (Kubernetes) | $395 | 8 weeks | High |
Total certification cost: ~$2,600 (can be reduced with free alternatives)
| Paid Certification | Free Alternative | Value |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | Professor Messer videos + home labs | 80% |
| Network+ | Jeremy's IT Lab (YouTube) + Packet Tracer | 85% |
| Security+ | Professor Messer + TryHackMe | 85% |
| AWS SAA | AWS Free Tier + Adrian Cantrill (paid but worth it) | 90% |
| CKA | Kubernetes documentation + Killercoda labs | 90% |
| Phase | Role Ready | Expected Salary (LATAM) | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Help Desk Technician | $400-800 USD/mo | Ticketing, basic troubleshooting, customer service |
| Phase 2 | System Administrator | $800-1,500 USD/mo | AD, Windows Server, Linux, networking |
| Phase 3 | DevOps Engineer | $1,500-3,500+ USD/mo | CI/CD, containers, cloud, automation |
Phase 1:
- 10+ KB articles
- 5+ troubleshooting flowcharts
- Mock ticket portfolio (20+ tickets)
- Basic home lab documentation
Phase 2:
- Active Directory lab documentation
- 5+ PowerShell scripts
- Linux server configuration guide
- Network diagram for home lab
- Capstone: Full infrastructure design
Phase 3:
- GitHub profile with 10+ projects
- Terraform modules
- CI/CD pipeline examples
- Kubernetes deployment manifests
- Capstone: Full DevOps pipeline with monitoring
- Reddit: r/sysadmin, r/devops, r/CompTIA, r/ITCareerQuestions
- Discord: Tech Reunited, IT Career Questions, DevOps Community
- LinkedIn: IT Professional groups, local tech communities
- Local: Meetup.com (IT, DevOps, Cloud meetups)
- Look for senior professionals in your desired role
- Offer to help with their projects (even small tasks)
- Ask specific questions (not "how do I learn everything")
- Respect their time (prepare before meetings)
- Give back once you're established
This is a living document. Updated regularly based on industry changes.
Last updated: 2026-03-18 Version: 3.0.0