<p>Hello all, I am a third-year Mechanical Engineering student. Just this summer I realized I am more interested in Information Technology, so I will be re-rolling into IT when my school starts.
The biggest reason is I like to work with computers more than working with machines. Even so I think I want to work with both software and hardware aspects of computers.
I know that IT path is not nearly all about coding and programming but it is necessary.</p>
<p>I'm planning to change my life and study real hard for my IT career (because I already "wasted" 3 years in ME, I should start 1.5-2 years ahead since the courses in beginning are almost the same).
I'm currently on my summer "vacation" right now, I'm working as a qualification inspector in a power management company.</p>
<p>Right now I want to construct a "self-study plan" for myself during this 2.5 months left of my summer vacation.
I'm asking for advices of what kind of programs, softwares, skills, preparations should I self-study for this summer.</p>
<p>I did some research and I'm going to just list the topics/things Im interested in. Note that these are just interests, I might not even know the real meaning of the topics I listed here:</p>
<p>Programming:</p>
<ul>
<li>c, C++ (Took 1 course at ME program, was interesting but didn't quite grasped it very well) - Planning to learn for sure</li>
<li>Python - I was thinking of re-starting my whole coding/programming learning process with Python (good idea?)</li>
<li>Later considering picking up JAVA and some other useful languages to learn (suggestions?)</li>
<li>LabVIEW</li>
</ul>
<p>3D Modeling:</p>
<ul>
<li>CAD/CAM/CAE (While at ME, I took some courses on CAD but I'm still quite not good with complex models, would like to retain my skills at programs like Solidworks, AutoCAD even though might not work with them that much as IT).</li>
<li>Any other good Modeling programs for IT to learn?</li>
</ul>
<p>Web Programming:</p>
<ul>
<li>SQL/MySQL</li>
<li>Python, Java, ASP, .Net</li>
<li>Ultimately I want to learn PHP the most</li>
</ul>
<p>Web Design:</p>
<ul>
<li>HTML, CSS, Javascript (HTML5, Notepad++, Dreamweaver)</li>
</ul>
<p>Microcontrollers:</p>
<ul>
<li>Arduino</li>
<li>Robotics</li>
</ul>
<p>Microsoft/Linux- environment in general.</p>
<p>Database:</p>
<ul>
<li>Oracle, MySQL (Right now the company I'm working in is using Oracle, I know how to use some functions of it, obviously don't know all of it)</li>
<li>SAP (Heard it's largely used by large companies, would like to know more about it).</li>
</ul>
<p>The thing I'm most interested in is Cloud Computing in general (I don't know how can you learn it though).</p>
<p>Also I want to study data storing and network security/data security.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, I really need advices to start my career, please give your opinions (biased or not, just please add some explanations) on which program do you think is good to learn.
My goal is to work in Asia (Japan, China, South East Asia, South Korea, in that particular order).
At this moment I have very little insight of the jobs I can do after learning some skills, so please guide me on what type of jobs are available for IT student please.</p>
<p>**NOTE that even though I listed all these programs/skills I'm interested in, it doesn't mean I think I will learn then all or I will learn them in one summer.
That's why I'm asking for recommendations and opinions, I plan to focus on some of it and I'd like advices on which to start and which are "must learn" in your opinion, while picking up new things to learn constantly.
I bet even if I learn them for the rest of my life, I won't be perfect of any of them, but that's not my goal anyway. My goal is to be able to use them in work life effectively.</p>
<p>You can also recommend me something new that you find helpful/must learn in work life.</p>