Starting Place for a Career in Linux?

[jhargis1012]

Hello, all. I've been playing around with Linux on my own for about four years now and I really enjoy it. I'd love to turn this hobby into a job, if possible. I live near Chicago, I'm in the middle of a Cisco CCNA program right now, and I'm hoping to go back to school at some point for a Computer Science degree.

Does anybody have any suggestions for how to build up some qualifications? When searching the jobs databases, it sure seems like everything requires years and years of experience. Do entry-level Linux jobs exist? If so, which jobs are worth-while? Thanks for any thoughts.

[8_Bit]

I can't answer your question directly but I can offer some advice. Be careful what you wish for, sure Linux may be a fun hobby but what you find interesting as a hobby doesn't always turn out to be interesting as a career, y'know? Something about being ordered around to do the same things you used to love to do just sometimes kills it for some people. Hopefully that isn't the case for you though. ;)

[jhargis1012]

Good point, that does tend to happen... Basically, I've been trying to get into IT in general, and I guess since technology is my field of choice, I am hoping to find a way to bring Linux into that since it does interest me so much. Although I may not wish to come home and toy with Linux in my free time anymore, at least I'll have integrated a personal interest with my day job! (which will hopefully make the daily grind a little more enjoyable)

[collisionystm]

You are going to need to know Windows Server to. Any experience with it?

[haqking]

Hello, all. I've been playing around with Linux on my own for about four years now and I really enjoy it. I'd love to turn this hobby into a job, if possible. I live near Chicago, I'm in the middle of a Cisco CCNA program right now, and I'm hoping to go back to school at some point for a Computer Science degree.

Does anybody have any suggestions for how to build up some qualifications? When searching the jobs databases, it sure seems like everything requires years and years of experience. Do entry-level Linux jobs exist? If so, which jobs are worth-while? Thanks for any thoughts.


Get as much hands on as you can with everything you can so you can talk the talk at an interview.

get some industry certs.

If you sit the CompTIA Linux + (2 exams) you will get the Linux + as well as the LPI level 1 and the Novell Certified Linux adminstratror certificate, so essentially you take one cert (2 exams) and you get 3 certs for it.

Then you can look at specialising in a corporate standard such as RHEL (RHCE)

It is all about what you can really do though, so get the hands on..using VM or real hardware, just make sure you can talk the talk, and hope you can walk the walk if given the chance ;-)

[jhargis1012]

Unfortunately no, but I'm eager to learn. :)

[collisionystm]

Starting out, you don't want to be the 'IT Guy'. Try to find a job installing systems. I first started learning linux at a job installing Mitel Phone Systems. I loved that job. In fact I may actually return to it.

[haqking]

You are going to need to know Windows Server to. Any experience with it?

Only if he is gonna work with windows servers.

There are lots of places that dont use windows especially if he wants to go for a Linux based job

[collisionystm]

Only if he is gonna work with windows servers.

There are lots of places that dont use windows especially if he wants to go for a Linux based job

You never know what you are going to work with or what you will be asked to do. It is imperative to learn as much as you can.

With Linux you have infinite resources because its all free.

[haqking]

You never know what you are going to work with or what you will be asked to do. It is imperative to learn as much as you can.

With Linux you have infinite resources because its all free.



well of course, but going for a Linux job he doesnt need to KNOW windows thats what i meant. the OP asked about linux jobs, you dont need to know any windows for a linux job, sure it may help if they have windows servers, but that would typically be administered by a Windows Admin, there is no requirement to even know windows exists to work successfully with Linux.

you need to know C, Perl, Python, etc etc but not knowing it dont mean you cant get a Linux based job.

There are tons of Linux jobs available home based for Canonical, they dont require any windows knowledge ;-)

[jhargis1012]

well of course, but going for a Linux job he doesnt need to KNOW windows thats what i meant. the OP asked about linux jobs, you dont need to know any windows for a linux job, sure it may help if they have windows servers, but that would typically be administered by a Windows Admin, there is no requirement to even know windows exists to work successfully with Linux.

you need to know C, Perl, Python, etc etc but not knowing it dont mean you cant get a Linux based job.

There are tons of Linux jobs available home based for Canonical, they dont require any windows knowledge ;-)

Programming: Actually, I was thinking of asking which language was most useful to know. I'm comfortable at the command line, but it seems like supplementing any Linux skills with programming would be helpful. Is C sort of the standard "good to know no matter what"?

Canonical jobs: Interesting! I'll have to look into those.

[haqking]

Programming: Actually, I was thinking of asking which language was most useful to know. I'm comfortable at the command line, but it seems like supplementing any Linux skills with programming would be helpful. Is C sort of the standard "good to know no matter what"?

Canonical jobs: Interesting! I'll have to look into those.

Well the "best language" is a frequent area of debate always open to conjecture. However there is no denying that C is important *nix is written in it, and if you can code in C it is likely you will pick up anything else fairly easily, but in todays market of the web and e-commerce where you are likely to be placed when working in the linux industry then Web programming is an important skill to have also or at least a knowledge of it, Perl PHP etc etc

the short of it is you can never know too much and nor will you ever know too much or enough ;-)

[Dangertux]

Suggestion. They are kind of looked down on in the IT industry but web hosting companies are usually hiring entry level Linux admins with a basic CLI knowledge. They pay horribly and usually won't pay for continuing education. So long as you are motivated you can teach yourself and get your own certs just work for them for a few years to get some experience on your resume and apply for better jobs.

It is kinda boring but it will get you where you want to go.

[jhargis1012]

haqking - Got it, thanks. I'll probably start with C then, as it sounds like you can't go wrong knowing it!

Dangertux - Web hosting companies, eh? Despite those negative factors, that sounds like what I'm looking for. How do I find those companies in my area?

[Dangertux]

Not sure where you are just google it they are everywhere.

[haqking]

haqking - Got it, thanks. I'll probably start with C then, as it sounds like you can't go wrong knowing it!

Dangertux - Web hosting companies, eh? Despite those negative factors, that sounds like what I'm looking for. How do I find those companies in my area?

monster.com is a good start, there are hundreds of other online career websites

then google web hosting companies and find some close to where ever you are

[Dangertux]

Something I thought I would add - just in case there are any higher level (ii-iii) linux sysadmins here that work for web hosting companies, I am not saying this is all hosting companies, nor am I saying what you do isn't important.

However, entry level admin jobs are the marketing jobs of the IT world, they are great to get some references and a decent amount of experience. However, unless you fall in with a REALLY quality company, they are probably not where you will stay.

I just don't want to offend someone.

[jhargis1012]

Thanks for all the great info!

[cptrohn]

well of course, but going for a Linux job he doesnt need to KNOW windows thats what i meant. the OP asked about linux jobs, you dont need to know any windows for a linux job, sure it may help if they have windows servers, but that would typically be administered by a Windows Admin, there is no requirement to even know windows exists to work successfully with Linux.

you need to know C, Perl, Python, etc etc but not knowing it dont mean you cant get a Linux based job.

There are tons of Linux jobs available home based for Canonical, they dont require any windows knowledge ;-)

Maybe true, but most places are going to want people that are A+ and Net+ certified as well... and to pass the 2 most basic certs out there you have to know windows.

[haqking]

Maybe true, but most places are going to want people that are A+ and Net+ certified as well... and to pass the 2 most basic certs out there you have to know windows.

Sorry but i disagree 100%.

There is no requirement or need to know anything about windows to get a Linux based job, to get certified in Linux or to work with Linux.


IMHO as a holder of multiple certs in both areas.