Wildcats Tech

Popular IT Careers in Alabama:

Job Market Trends:

• 🔥 High Demand: IT jobs growing 13% faster than average (2020-2030)
• 💰 Great Pay: Median IT salary $97,430 vs. $45,760 for all occupations
• 📈 Hot Areas: Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, AI/ML, Data Science
• 🏠 Remote Work: Many IT jobs can be done remotely
• 🌐 Alabama Growth: Huntsville and Birmingham tech hubs expanding rapidly

CompTIA Certification Path:

Essential Soft Skills for IT:

Resume Tips for IT Students:

• Skills Section: List programming languages, OS familiarity, tools you know
• Projects: Include class projects, personal projects, GitHub repos
• Certifications: List any completed or in-progress certifications
• CTSO Involvement: List leadership roles in FBLA, SkillsUSA, TSA
• Action Verbs: Use "developed," "designed," "implemented," "troubleshot"
• Quantify: "Built website with 500+ daily visitors" vs "Built a website"

Interview Preparation:

• Research the company and role beforehand
• Prepare STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
• Practice technical questions (e.g., "Explain what an IP address is")
• Ask thoughtful questions about the role and company
• Follow up with a thank-you email within 24 hours

Where to Find Real Labor Market Data:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Occupational Outlook Handbook — growth projections, median pay, job descriptions
• O*NET Online: detailed skill, task, and outlook data by occupation
• Alabama Department of Labor: state-specific job openings and wage data
• Industry hiring-trend reports from CompTIA, LinkedIn, and Indeed

What to Look For & Predict:

• Projected growth rate: is the field expected to grow faster or slower than average?
• Emerging skills: what tools/languages are showing up more often in job postings over time?
• Regional demand: compare national trends to Alabama's tech hubs (Huntsville, Birmingham)
• Automation risk: which tasks within a role are likely to be automated vs. remain human-driven?

Essential Computer Components:

How They Work Together:

1. PSU provides power to all components
2. CPU reads instructions from RAM
3. CPU processes instructions
4. Results stored in RAM or written to Storage
5. GPU renders output to Monitor
6. Motherboard coordinates all communication

Input Devices:

• Keyboard: Types - Mechanical, Membrane, Wireless
• Mouse: Types - Wired, Wireless, Trackpad, Trackball
• Scanner: Converts physical documents to digital
• Webcam: Video input for meetings, recording
• Microphone: Audio input

Output Devices:

• Monitor: Specs - Resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K), Refresh Rate (60Hz, 144Hz)
• Speakers/Headphones: Audio output
• Printer: Types - Inkjet (color), Laser (fast, B&W), 3D

Common Ports & Connections:

Troubleshooting Common Hardware Issues:

• Device not recognized: Check connections, try different port, update drivers
• Monitor no signal: Check cable connection, verify input source, test cable
• Computer won't turn on: Check power cable, test outlet, inspect PSU
• Keyboard/mouse not working: Check batteries (wireless), try different port, check drivers

Operating Systems (OS):

Application Software:

• Productivity: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, LibreOffice
• Creative: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Blender
• Communication: Zoom, Discord, Slack, Teams
• Development: VS Code, IntelliJ, Eclipse
• Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari

Software Licenses:

Number Systems in Computing:

Conversion Examples:

Binary to Decimal:
1010 = (1×8) + (0×4) + (1×2) + (0×1) = 10

Decimal to Binary:
13 = 8 + 4 + 1 = 1101

Hexadecimal to Decimal:
2F = (2×16) + (15×1) = 47

Decimal to Hexadecimal:
255 = (15×16) + (15×1) = FF

ASCII & Unicode:

• ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange
• Assigns numbers to characters: A=65, B=66, a=97, 0=48
• 128 characters total (English only)
• Unicode: Extended character set for all languages
• Includes emojis, symbols, 150,000+ characters
• UTF-8 is most common Unicode encoding

Data Storage Units:

• Bit: smallest unit of data — a single 0 or 1
• Byte: 8 bits — enough to represent one character
• KB → MB → GB → TB: each is roughly 1,000x the last (kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte)
• Throughput rate: how much data moves per second, measured in Mbps/Gbps — internet speeds are measured in bits, while file/storage sizes are measured in bytes
• Example: an 80 Mbps connection downloads roughly 10 MB per second (80 ÷ 8)

Traditional Computing:

• Software installed locally on your computer
• Files stored on your hard drive
• Processing done by your CPU/RAM
• Examples: Microsoft Word installed, local photo storage

Cloud Computing:

• Software runs on remote servers (via internet)
• Files stored on remote servers
• Processing done by cloud provider's computers
• Examples: Google Docs, Dropbox, Netflix, Gmail

Pros & Cons:

Virtual Machines (VMs):

• Software that simulates a complete computer
• Run multiple OS on one physical machine
• Used for testing, isolation, cloud servers
• Tools: VirtualBox, VMware, Hyper-V

CLI vs GUI:

Essential Network Components:

Network Types:

Internet Service Types:

• DSL: Through phone lines, 1-100 Mbps, widely available
• Cable: Through TV cables, 100-1000 Mbps, shared with neighbors
• Fiber: Through fiber optic cables, 500-10,000 Mbps, fastest but limited availability
• Satellite: From space, 12-100 Mbps, high latency, rural areas
• 5G Home Internet: Cellular, 50-300 Mbps, new option

IP Addresses:

• IPv4: 192.168.1.1 (4 numbers, 0-255)
• IPv6: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (longer, more addresses)
• Public IP: Your address on the internet (assigned by ISP)
• Private IP: Your address on local network (e.g., 192.168.x.x)

MAC Address:

• Physical hardware address (e.g., 00:1B:44:11:3A:B7)
• Unique to each network adapter
• Can't change (well, can be spoofed but that's advanced)

DNS (Domain Name System):

• Translates domain names to IP addresses
• Example: google.com → 142.250.185.46
• Like a phonebook for the internet
• DNS servers: Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol):

• Automatically assigns IP addresses to devices
• Router typically runs DHCP server
• When you connect to WiFi, DHCP gives you an IP

How connecting to WiFi works:
1. Device: "Can I join this network?"
2. Router (DHCP): "Sure! Your IP is 192.168.1.105"
3. Device: "What's the gateway?"
4. Router: "I'm the gateway at 192.168.1.1"
5. Device: "What's the DNS server?"
6. Router: "Use 8.8.8.8 for DNS"
7. Device: "Thanks!" [connected]

Essential Protocols:

Troubleshooting Connectivity:

Digital Footprint:

• Everything you do online leaves a trace
• Posts, comments, likes, searches - all tracked
• Future employers, colleges check social media!
• Think before you post - it's permanent

Protecting PII (Personally Identifiable Information):

• Never share: SSN, full birthdate, home address, passwords
• Be careful sharing: Phone number, school name, full name
• Privacy settings: Make social media accounts private
• Location data: Turn off geo-tagging on photos

Cyberbullying:

• Using tech to harass, threaten, embarrass others
• Don't engage - block, report, tell adult
• Save evidence (screenshots)
• It's NEVER okay - not funny, not harmless

Mobile Device Security:

• Screen lock: Use PIN, pattern, or biometric
• App permissions: Only give what's needed
• Public WiFi: Don't access banking/sensitive info
• Updates: Keep OS and apps updated
• Lost phone: Enable "Find My Device"

Netiquette (Internet Etiquette):

• Be respectful - remember real people behind screens
• Don't type in ALL CAPS (it's shouting!)
• Think before hitting send
• Give credit for others' work
• Respect privacy - don't share others' info

The CIA Triad:

Common Malware Types:

Cryptography & Encryption:

• Encryption: Converting data to unreadable format
• Decryption: Converting back to readable format
• Symmetric: Same key encrypts and decrypts (faster)
• Asymmetric: Public key encrypts, private key decrypts (more secure)
• Uses: HTTPS, email, messaging, file storage

The AAA Framework (+ Non-Repudiation):

• Authentication: Proving who you are (login, badge scan, fingerprint)
• Authorization: What you're allowed to do once verified (permissions, access levels)
• Accounting: Logging what was accessed, by whom, and when — used for audits and investigations
• Non-repudiation: Proof a specific action was performed by a specific person, so they can't deny doing it (a digital signature or an audit log tied to a unique login)
• Example: A badge gets you in the building (auth), a key card gets you in the server room (authz), the door system logs your entry time (accounting), and your unique badge ID means you can't claim it wasn't you (non-repudiation)

Authentication Methods:

Password Best Practices:

• Length: Minimum 12 characters, longer is better
• Complexity: Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols
• Unique: Different password for each account
• Avoid: Dictionary words, personal info, patterns
• Passphrases: "CorrectHorseBatteryStaple" > "P@ssw0rd!"
• Password Manager: Use Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass
• Change when: Known breach, shared accidentally, old (1-2 years)

Additional Security Practices:

• Firewalls: Block unauthorized network access
• Antivirus: Scan for and remove malware
• Updates: Install OS and software updates promptly
• Backups: 3-2-1 rule (3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite)
• VPN: Encrypt connection on public WiFi
• Physical Security: Lock screen, secure devices, shred documents

Important Privacy Laws:

Intellectual Property:

• Copyright: Protects creative works (books, music, art, code)
• Trademark: Protects brand names, logos
• Patent: Protects inventions
• Fair Use: Limited use for education, criticism, parody
• Plagiarism: Using others' work without credit - DON'T DO IT!

Responsible AI Use:

• Bias: AI can inherit biases from training data
• Transparency: Be clear when AI is used
• Accountability: Humans responsible for AI decisions
• Privacy: Don't feed sensitive data to AI
• Academic: Disclose AI assistance, don't claim AI work as your own

Compliance Standards:

• NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology - cybersecurity framework
• ISO 27001: International standard for information security
• PCI DSS: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
• SOC 2: Security, availability, processing integrity controls

Core Purposes of an OS:

Without an OS, every app would need its own code to:
- talk directly to the hard drive
- manage its own memory
- control the keyboard/mouse
- share the CPU with every other program

The OS handles all of that ONE time so every app can rely on it.

Desktop/Computer OS:

Mobile OS:

Mobile OS vs. Computer OS:

• Multitasking: Computer OSes run many full apps simultaneously; mobile OSes limit background activity to save battery
• Interface: Computer OS is built around keyboard/mouse + windows; mobile OS is built around touch + single-app-at-a-time views
• App Sources: Mobile OSes usually restrict installs to an official app store; computer OSes generally allow installing from anywhere
• Storage/Power: Mobile OSes are optimized for limited battery and storage; computer OSes assume more of both

File Systems:

• NTFS: Windows' default file system; supports large files, permissions, encryption
• APFS: Apple's modern file system for macOS/iOS; optimized for SSDs
• ext4: Common Linux file system; fast and journaled (recovers well after crashes)
• exFAT: Cross-platform format often used for USB drives and SD cards

File Management:

• Folders/directories organize files hierarchically
• Metadata tracks size, creation date, modified date, and permissions
• File paths describe location: C:\Users\Student\Documents or /home/student/documents

Services, Processes & Drivers:

User Interfaces:

Choosing Productivity Software:

• Office suites: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, LibreOffice — for documents, spreadsheets, slides
• Open source tools: free alternatives (LibreOffice, GIMP, OpenOffice) with publicly available source code
• Match the tool to the task: a spreadsheet for calculations, a database for structured records, a word processor for documents

Application Delivery Models:

Key Browser Settings:

• Cache: Stored copies of pages/images that speed up repeat visits
• Clearing cache: Deletes stored data — fixes outdated pages or frees up space (Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data)
• Client-side scripting: JavaScript running in the browser; can be deactivated for security or compatibility testing
• Add-ons/extensions: Small programs that add features (ad blockers, password managers) — install only from trusted sources
• Private/incognito browsing: Doesn't save history, cookies, or form data after the session ends
• Proxy settings: Routes traffic through an intermediary server, often for privacy or network policy
• Certificates: Verify a site's identity for HTTPS; browsers warn when a certificate is invalid or expired
• Popup blockers: Prevent unwanted windows from opening automatically
• Script blockers: Prevent scripts from running until approved, reducing malicious script risk

Browser Compatibility:

• Not every site or app works identically in every browser
• Some software requires a specific browser (e.g., a legacy tool built only for one engine)
• Testing across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari catches compatibility issues before deployment

Common Maintenance Utilities:

• Task Manager / Activity Monitor: View and end running processes, check CPU/RAM usage
• Disk Cleanup / Storage Management: Remove temp files and free up space
• Disk Defragmenter: Reorganizes data on HDDs for faster access (not needed on SSDs)
• Update Manager: Applies OS and driver patches for security and stability
• Backup Tools: File History (Windows), Time Machine (macOS), rsync (Linux)

Troubleshooting Methodology:

Scripting vs. Scripted vs. Markup:

• Scripting language: automates tasks within another program or environment (Bash, PowerShell)
• Scripted language: general term for interpreted languages like Python or JavaScript
• Markup language: describes structure/formatting, not logic (HTML, XML — not "programming" in the traditional sense)

Building Blocks:

• Identifiers: Names given to variables, functions, or objects (e.g., student_name)
• Containers (Variables): Store data that can change (e.g., score = 0)
• Functions: Reusable blocks of code that perform a task
• Objects: Bundles of related data and behavior (e.g., a Student object with a name, grade, and a method to calculate GPA)

# identifier: greet_student (a function)
def greet_student(name):        # name is a parameter (container)
    message = "Hi, " + name     # message is a variable (container)
    return message

print(greet_student("Alex"))    # calling the function

Code Commenting & Documentation:

• Comments explain why code exists, not just what it does
• Python: # this is a comment
• Good documentation helps others — and future-you — understand and maintain code

Designing an Algorithm:

An algorithm is a step-by-step plan for solving a problem — like a recipe.

Algorithm: Make a Sandwich
1. Get two slices of bread
2. Spread condiment on each slice
3. Add filling
4. Combine slices
5. Cut in half (optional)

Sequencing, Selection & Iteration:

• Sequencing: steps run in order, one after another
• Selection (decision structures): the program picks a path based on a condition
• Iteration (looping): steps repeat until a condition is met

grade = 85

if grade >= 90:
    print("A")
elif grade >= 80:
    print("B")        # this line runs
else:
    print("C or below")

for i in range(3):     # loop / iteration
    print("Studying...")

What Is a Database?

• An organized collection of data that can be easily accessed, managed, and updated
• Increases productivity by replacing scattered spreadsheets/paper with searchable, structured records
• Records: individual entries (e.g., one student)
• Fields: categories of data within a record (name, ID, grade)
• Tables: collections of related records

Planning with Flowcharts:

Before building a database, flowcharts help map out what data is needed and how it flows between users, forms, and storage.

By Data Structure:

• Structured: data fits neatly into rows/columns (a spreadsheet or SQL table)
• Semi-structured: has some organization but not a fixed schema (JSON, XML files)
• Unstructured: no predefined format (raw text, images, video)

Relational vs. Non-Relational:

// JSON example (semi-structured, common in NoSQL)
{
  "student": "Alex",
  "grade": "10",
  "courses": ["ITF", "Algebra II"]
}

Designing a Database:

• Identify what entities you need to track (students, products, orders)
• Break entities into tables with clear fields
• Assign a primary key — a unique identifier for each record (e.g., Student ID)
• Link related tables using keys (e.g., a Grades table referencing a Student ID)

Interfacing with Databases:

• Relational access: writing SQL queries directly (SELECT * FROM students)
• Application access: tools like Microsoft Access provide forms/reports without writing raw SQL
• Import/Export: moving data in and out via CSV, Excel, or JSON files