Overview
Year 1 Plan

Overview of the One-Year Plan

A structured path to go from zero computer knowledge to an internship-ready developer in 12 months.

🎯 Primary Goals

  • Understand computers deeply (Hardware, OS, Networking).
  • Build strong foundations in programming and problem-solving.
  • Gain practical project experience (5-8 Projects).
  • Become internship-ready by Month 10–12.

⏱️ Commitment

Duration: 12 Months
Study Time: 8–12 hours per week (2 hours/day is ideal).

Month 1: Understanding Computers

Before writing code, you must understand the machine that runs it.

📚 Key Topics

  • Hardware: CPU, RAM, HDD/SSD, Motherboard, I/O Devices.
  • Math: Binary, Decimal, and Hexadecimal systems.
  • OS: Windows vs Linux, Processes, File Systems.

🔗 Selected Resources

GCF Global: Computer Basics Book: How Computers Work YouTube: Basic Tutorials

🛠️ Mini Project

Visual Hardware Map: Create a detailed diagram (draw it or use Canva) explaining how data moves from Input -> CPU/RAM -> Output.

Month 2: Internet & Security

Mastering the web infrastructure and keeping yourself safe.

📚 Key Topics

  • Networking: IP Address, DNS, Routers, Firewalls.
  • Security: Phishing, Encryption (HTTPS), Password Managers.
  • Cloud: Drive, Dropbox, Email Etiquette.

🔗 Selected Resources

Khan Academy: Internet 101 Coursera: Internet History

🛠️ Mini Project

Internet Safety Guide: Create a PDF or Google Site listing the Top 10 Security Rules for non-tech people.

Month 3: Intro to Programming

Start your coding journey with Python. Focus on logic, not just syntax.

📚 Key Topics

  • Variables, Data Types (int, float, string), Operators.
  • Control Flow: if, else, elif.
  • Loops: for loops and while loops.

🔗 Selected Resources

Automate the Boring Stuff (Free Book) freeCodeCamp Python (YouTube)

🛠️ Mini Project

Expense Tracker (CLI): Write a script that asks the user for expense name and amount, then calculates the total.

Month 4: Python Foundations & DSA

Moving from writing lines of code to solving problems with structure.

📚 Key Topics

  • Structures: Lists, Tuples, Dictionaries, Sets.
  • Functions: Parameters, Return values, Scope.
  • Error Handling: try / except blocks.
  • Algorithms: Linear Search, Bubble Sort (Basic understanding).

🔗 Selected Resources

Problem Solving with Algorithms (Interactive) HackerRank (Python Easy)

🛠️ Mini Project

Student Report System: A program to Add students, Search for them by ID, and Update their grades using a Dictionary.

Month 5: Core CS Concepts

The theoretical layer that separates Coders from Computer Scientists.

📚 Key Topics

  • Memory: Stack vs Heap memory.
  • OS Internals: How the CPU schedules tasks (Threads/Processes).
  • Data Structures: Linked List, Stack, Queue (Theory + Implementation).
  • Complexity: Intro to Big-O notation.

🔗 Selected Resources

Neso Academy (Operating Systems Playlist)

Month 6: Databases & SQL

Data is king. Learn how to store, retrieve, and manipulate it permanently.

📚 Key Topics

  • Relational Databases concepts.
  • SQL: SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE.
  • Joins (Inner, Left, Right) and Primary/Foreign Keys.
  • Connecting Python to SQLite.

🔗 Selected Resources

W3Schools SQL Tutorial Download DB Browser for SQLite

🛠️ Mini Project

Library Management System: A Python script backed by a database to track book borrowing.

Month 7: Web Development

The visual layer. Learn how the Client-Server model works.

📚 Key Topics

  • HTML5: Semantic tags, Forms.
  • CSS3: Box model, Flexbox, Colors.
  • JS: DOM Manipulation basics.
  • HTTP: Requests, Responses, Status Codes.

🔗 Selected Resources

MDN Web Docs (The Bible of Web) freeCodeCamp Responsive Design

🛠️ Mini Project

Personal Portfolio: Build a static website with an "About Me" and "Contact" section. Host it on GitHub Pages.

Month 8: Deepening Python

Professional coding practices: OOP, APIs, and Version Control.

📚 Key Topics

  • OOP: Classes, Objects, Inheritance.
  • APIs: Fetching JSON data using `requests` library.
  • Git: Init, Add, Commit, Push, Pull.

🔗 Selected Resources

GitHub Skills (Interactive Git) RealPython Tutorials

🛠️ Mini Project

Weather App: Fetch live weather data from OpenWeatherMap API and display it.

Month 9: Specialization Preview

Dip your toes into specific career tracks before committing.

🔍 Choose One Track

  • Web Dev: Django or Flask (Python Backend).
  • Data Analytics: Pandas, Matplotlib, Jupyter Notebooks.
  • Cybersecurity: Ethical Hacking basics, Network Scanning.
  • App Dev: Kivy (Python) or basic Android/Flutter.

Month 10: The Major Project

Dedicate 4-6 weeks to one significant project. This is your Resume piece.

💡 Project Ideas

  • Web: A fully functional Blog with Login/Logout.
  • Business: Inventory Management System with Database.
  • Data: Analyze a Kaggle dataset and visualize trends.

🎯 Focus Skills

  • Writing a good `README.md`.
  • Using Git Branches (`feature/new-login`).
  • Reading official documentation.

Month 11: Professional Skills

Coding is only half the job. Learn deployment and soft skills.

📚 Key Topics

  • Resume: Tailor for "Fresher Python Developer" or "Intern".
  • Cloud: Deploy your Month 10 project to Render/Heroku/AWS.
  • Networking: LinkedIn profile optimization.

🔗 Selected Resources

Render (Free Deployment)

Month 12: Internship & Job Prep

Go get hired.

🚀 Where to Apply (India Focus)

  • Internshala: Best for internships.
  • AngelList (Wellfound): Best for startups.
  • LinkedIn Jobs: Filter by "Easy Apply" or contact recruiters.
  • Local: Startups in Lucknow (Gomti Nagar, Hazratganj).

🧠 Interview Prep

Review standard questions on: Python lists vs tuples, SQL Joins, REST APIs, and simple logic puzzles.

Study Routine & Tips

📅 Weekly Schedule (8-12 Hours)

DayActivity
Day 1New Theory (Video/Reading)
Day 2Coding Practice / Exercises
Day 3Theory + Note taking
Day 4Project Building
Day 5Revision / Debugging

💡 How to stay motivated

  • Join communities: r/learnpython, Dev.to.
  • Don't just watch videos—type the code.
  • Consistent mediocre effort > Occasional intense effort.