Do you have any computer experience?
I have no idea what I'm doing
11–20 of 21 posts
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#12I should've been more specific, I have ~6 years of linux experience as a hobbyist but most employers will not accept a hobby as a certified profession. I have managed game servers/IRC/email/apache/nginx/etc I know perl and use perl to automate some things, etc I know what I'm doing but I've yet to even get an offer from any employers
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#131) Get computer 2) Install Gentoo 3) Set up ssh / webserver / mail server / irc / etc... 4) Buy domain and point to your server 5) Successfully run your own site/blog/wiki for a while, have it do neat stuff, write about and share your experiences of learning to be a sysadmin 6) While under oath, swear by the SysAdmins creed. 7) ??? 8) Profit.
As a Linux sysadmin of 17+ years (and now a CIO), this is the best advice posted to this thread. After you complete this I'd suggest Linux From Scratch (http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/) as it'll teach you about the inner workings of a Linux system, which is vital if you want to be a really good sysadmin (a good troubleshooter understands the internals). I would hire someone for an entry level position if they went through this process and if they could explain things at a deep level as that would show me that they have the potential to take it to the next level.
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#14This is a bit left-ball:
Give yourself an online profile with screencasts of what you can do.
Then sell yourself internationally as a trainer. Not high level stuff, but stuff you're very solid in in English language. Sell yourself not to large companies, but vendors of large companies. Charge fairly. Collect lots of name cards and keep in contact with people, especially the trainees (that actually work for the larger companies, but also keep in contact with the vendors). In a few years time you could be able to secure a very senior position with a larger company, or have already made a good enough living as a travelling consultant not to care.
But get those videos up and find a hungry vendor, that's step #1.
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#15> what do I do from here?
It's time to power network. Start attending local/regional linux meetups. Introduce yourself to the fellow attendees, try to be helpful, make friends.
Incidentally, this is where you'll hear about 'hidden' job opportunities. Say a contact realizes you know your stuff. He thinks you look normal-- he'll be more likely to refer you a hiring executive in his network who could use someone with your skills/background.
Check out Linux meet-ups--find one, get it on your calendar & go asap> http://linux-user-group.meetup.com/
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#16Use VirtualBox as a virtual machine. Will make your live much easier.
Yep, VirtualBox + CentOS and go nuts. Don't waste your money buying a separate computer, and don't waste your time trying to dual boot or removing Windows and using Linux full time.
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#171) Get computer 2) Install Gentoo 3) Set up ssh / webserver / mail server / irc / etc... 4) Buy domain and point to your server 5) Successfully run your own site/blog/wiki for a while, have it do neat stuff, write about and share your experiences of learning to be a sysadmin 6) While under oath, swear by the SysAdmins creed. 7) ??? 8) Profit.
I'd recommend Ubuntu -- especially if you're just starting out.
I would recommend gentoo. Especially if you don't want to be a consumer but someone who cares (aka sysadmin). There is always time to move back to debian world.
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#18What makes you want to be a Linux sys admin?
Here's my 2 cents:
1. Create a grand vision for yourself,
2. See where being a sys admin fits into that
3. Give yourself a timeline into which both your vision and sys admin fit
4. With the big vision, start working small - create small daily tasks which will slowly but surely get you there within your timeline. This includes your need for funding your knowledge.
As they say, once you know the why, you can figure out the how.
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#19"If I knew what I was doing, I'd be doing it right now" - some country music song.
Re: I have no idea what I'm doing
#20I should've been more specific, I have ~6 years of linux experience as a hobbyist but most employers will not accept a hobby as a certified profession. I have managed game servers/IRC/email/apache/nginx/etc I know perl and use perl to automate some things, etc I know what I'm doing but I've yet to even get an offer from any employers
Thanks, now we can try to help you!
First, stop using the word hobby! If it's an hobby it's an hobby, if it's a profession you have to be professional!
Second, the way you are describing your experience doesn't really help you. It's too vague. Describe instead the problems you have faced. How did you solve them? What kind of value were you able to add to the entire system? (more stable, faster,...)
Hiring someone is an investment and a commitment. To pass the investment part you have to prove your skills, your ability to solve problems, your personal motivation and your growth potentiality.
The commitment part is more subtle and complicated. It mostly applies to the employer and it would take this conversation too far away. To keep it simple I can tell you that is very very important to get information about the company you are interviewing for. Try to think which challenges they may be facing and ask about these challenges during the interview. Think to possible solutions to these problems and discuss that with them. Don't worry about being right, nobody would expect you to know exactly the problem a company is facing but it would show vision and initiative on your side.
Last suggestion, you say "I know what I'm doing but...". No you don't, you would have a job already. Keep pushing. Do not fall in the stupid trap of thinking that the world is against you. I don't know you but I've been around the world many times. I can tell you that you can make it. Don't give up and keep working on your skills!
Good luck