I have 10-15 years of Linux experience for personal use and I have a few years of IT support work in the cloud but I still have some gaps in my tech knowledge, especially in regards to networking. I recently lost my job to AI and I’m interested in what comes next. I won’t touch windows. I don’t want to install it, image it, use it, support it, etc.

Is it possible to get into an IT career without ever acknowledging the existence of windows?

  • nutbutter@discuss.tchncs.de
    2·
    18 hours ago

    I did my BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) and MSc IT (Master of Science in Information Technology) using macOS earlier and Linux in the final years. We mostly did C, C++, PHP databases etc. We did have Visual Studio in our curriculum, I did try it on college PCs, but skipped it completely for exams. There was also a small section in C language which dealt with graphics. They used a graphics library which only worked with Turbo C++, which is a windows only program. It worked fine using Wine on my PC.

    For the job, I am primarily a 3D animator and I use Blender, and three.js. My previous job required me to use the office PC which had Windows 11, but now I am working at another company from home using my own PCs, all of which have some flavour of Linux installed. I did mention itbefore getting hired that I avoid proprietary softwares like Windows, Photoshop or even WhatsApp on my phone. As long as I am giving them what they need, they don’t have any issue with what OS I am using.

    So, yes, you can have a career in IT without touching Windows, but you need to assert that before anyone hires you. It will requires an effort, but I strongly believe that it is possible.