Hey everyone! I'm 23 and working as a sysadmin and IT site lead at a mid-sized company. I've been in this role for a few years now and I'm starting to feel like I'm falling behind on what's relevant for 2025. Most of my experience has been with on-prem infrastructure. I've tackled a lot of classic sysadmin tasks like managing Active Directory, Group Policies, physical and virtual servers (both Windows and Linux), VLANs, network configurations, deploying telephony systems, and various IT helpdesk issues. I've also led bigger projects like rolling out MFA company-wide, managing IAM, and migrating our domain.
The thing is, our company doesn't use much cloud technology; we're more of a hybrid AD environment and don't have experience with Intune or Azure, AWS, Docker, or CI/CD pipelines. I've never pursued any certifications, which is a concern since job postings are increasingly asking for cloud skills, containers, IaC, security certifications, and automation experience. I'm looking for advice on what to focus on learning to keep up with the job market and whether it's worth diving into certifications like Azure or AWS, or platforms like Terraform. Anyone have advice?
4 Answers
If I were your age with your sysadmin background, I'd aim to master Microsoft’s endpoint management stack, and definitely focus on certs like CISSP for security. That combo could really elevate your career and make you a strong candidate for future opportunities.
Cloud costs are rising, and there's a growing realization that on-premise expertise might be a differentiator. Keep working on your current skills while incorporating cloud knowledge. But remember, many roles still require a solid understanding of on-prem systems.
It's true that not every organization is on the cutting edge, and a ton of legacy systems are still in use. However, staying relevant means balancing your current on-prem skills with emerging tech. It's wise to start learning about cloud technologies, even if your current job doesn't use them much. Think about long-term employability – being versatile will prepare you for future roles that demand cloud and automation skills.
I had a similar path and transitioned to a cloud-focused company a few years back. My on-prem experience still helps out when dealing with legacy systems. Plus, as cloud adoption grows, that nostalgic infrastructure knowledge becomes rare and valuable. I’d suggest getting comfy with Azure and pick up some coding skills to manage infrastructure. It’s a great way to adapt!
Related Questions
Can't Load PhpMyadmin On After Server Update
Redirect www to non-www in Apache Conf
How To Check If Your SSL Cert Is SHA 1
Windows TrackPad Gestures