I'm in my early 30s, married, and have kids, but I'm considering a shift in my career. My background is in law, and I've worked as a project manager and in the restaurant business, but technology has always fascinated me. I've been tinkering with computers for years and can handle both Windows and Linux operating systems quite well. I'm also comfortable using the command line and often help friends and family with tech issues. I've heard that being good at searching for solutions online is key, and I think I've got that down. I'm thinking of pursuing a career as a Sysadmin and have learned that certifications like CompTIA A+ and RHCSA would be good starting points. My questions are: 1. How can someone with my background break into the Sysadmin field? 2. What was your experience moving into this role, and how are you finding it now? 3. If you had to start over, would you make the same choice again?
5 Answers
Definitely grab some certifications and start with a Level 1 or Level 2 help desk job. After a couple of years, you can look to advance. Just be prepared for a few years of hard work to make this career switch happen!
Starting in a help desk position is often the best way to get your foot in the door. You'll gain experience handling various issues and learn about different systems. Aim to stay as long as you're gaining valuable knowledge and not getting bored. After 3-5 years, you might be able to move up to a Junior Sysadmin role. Just remember, it takes time and continuous learning, but if you're passionate, it's definitely worth it!
Thank you for the insights & sharing!
Based on what you’ve described, you seem to have what it takes to start in tech support. Many Sysadmins started out in help desk roles and then transitioned into Sysadmin jobs after gaining enough experience. Getting industry certifications like A+ really helped me broaden my skills and think more creatively. Trust me, you won’t regret moving into this field!
Thank you for taking the time to read & answer!
Transitioning from hobbyist to Sysadmin can be tricky because you might be used to fixing things on your own terms. As a Sysadmin, you'll have to think more about planning and prevention. Starting at a help desk can help you learn to handle pressure and management of tasks. You could also explore working at a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for faster learning, but keep in mind that it can be tough!
This is excellent to keep in mind. I just moved from help desk to L3 sysadmin, and I’m still adapting!
Thank you for such an insightful & eye-opening answer!
To get started, tech support is the way to go. I worked my way up from help desk to higher levels in a decade.It's a different world once you move into sysadmin, shifting from purely fixing problems to also preventing them. Looking back, I wish I’d made this move sooner!
Thank you for the insights!
Thanks for the tip!