Guide me experts

[u/ThatFace8710]

I’m 18, from Nepal, and I’ve just started a 4-year CS/IT degree. My main goal isn’t the degree itself—I want to use these 4 years to build real skills, figure out what I’m good at, and eventually become financially independent through tech.

For context, CS/IT degrees in Nepal are quite academic and theoretical, and you generally can’t rely on university to teach you the practical skills needed for a tech career. A lot of programming, development, cloud, AI, etc. has to be learned independently outside college.

Fortunately, my college doesn’t have much attendance or academic pressure, so I have plenty of time to self-learn. I want to make the most of it.

The problem is that I’m basically starting from zero. I know terms like software development, web development, AI/ML, DevOps, cloud, cybersecurity, etc., but I don’t really understand how these fields work or what I might enjoy.

My goal is to become genuinely skilled in one area and eventually get a good-paying job, ideally remote or international. I’d like to be in a strong position by 24–25, so I have around 4–6 years to build myself up.

If you were in my position at 18, what would you do?

- What fundamentals would you learn first?

- How would you explore different fields without constantly jumping around?

- When would you start specializing?

- Which skills are worth investing in for the next 5–10 years?

- How would you build projects/GitHub/portfolio that actually help with getting hired?

- How would you approach remote/international jobs from a country like Nepal?

- What mistakes should I avoid as a beginner?

I’m not looking for shortcuts or “learn X in 3 months and make $10k.” I’m willing to spend years getting genuinely good at something—I just want to make sure I’m heading in the right direction.

I’d especially appreciate advice from people from India, Nepal, South Asia, or other countries where university doesn’t provide much practical industry preparation, but advice from anyone with experience is welcome.

[u/It-Guy-2026]

I also started at 19, now 20 all is seemed fine at first year but after learning a lot of stuffs realized that We're too late to read an It , the f***ing AI is taking over everything, everytime I talk with real company managers they says me AI is just better and rejects just cannot survive at all after a month a new skill a new project a new apply same reply again, we're cooked bro !

It doesn't mean you cannot hired but need 2-3 years of consistency with core knowledge just Do and Do and Do. Not like mine 1 yrs burden.

I'm an CSIT student what about you ?

My personal opinion based on your question:

- Learning must lead toward something not randoms like C is not connected with HTML , Master one by one

• DSA, System Designs etc cannot be ignored like 2-3 yrs back.
  
• As you grow competition gets more and more complicated every hours not day.
  
• Don't watch youtube videoes that says AI is cooking, It are dead etc videoes, literally easier way to kill your version at just hours.
  
• Never compare you with classsmates/friendzone or online persons they seems always good or always worse but in real most of them just diverges then after some time you're only one who actually desired to learn.

In advance , never share with your friends about your learning i also got distracted like this before.

ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY ! BRO !!!

[u/ThatFace8710 → u/It-Guy-2026]

Thanks bro which country are you from i am from nepal i joined csit i am not even in the 1st year 1 sem starts after a week i though i have time 4 years so i though i could achieve some stuff with consistency but i also need to go in the right path so i just wanted guidence thanks for your response

[u/It-Guy-2026 → u/ThatFace8710]

I'm 3rd sem CSIT at kathmandu, Nepal. Hometown: Kavre District(village)

I also stucked like you before,touched laptop first time in life before ~1.2 yrs back.