New System Administrator: Where Do I Begin?

You’ve definitely been ‘voluntold’ into sysadmin duties, but it sounds like you have a great base to build upon. Focus on 'just-in-time' learning; tackle the areas you need as you encounter them, rather than trying to learn everything at once. There’s a lot of useful free resources out there, especially for RHEL and Puppet basics. As for web design, some of it might come back to you, and there are plenty of online courses to sharpen those skills as well.

Congrats on the new role! IT is constantly evolving, and it’s smart to keep learning. Definitely take advantage of the training your employers are offering. Starting with basic networking concepts—Ethernet, Wi-Fi, etc.—will lay a solid foundation. Courses on Coursera, especially those Google certificates, can be a great way to boost your knowledge and they often provide good background in various IT topics. Don’t hesitate to dive into the certifications; they can be really beneficial in an educational environment.

One crucial tip: document all your processes as you go! That way, you won’t be the sole person who knows how to do things, which can be a huge career liability. It sounds like you're already ahead of the game with that, but keep it up—no one wants to be 'the only one' who can figure something out! Plus, it helps you when you take on new projects.

Start with Red Hat's free resources for RHEL and Puppet basics. They have structured training that suits beginners really well. Also, certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or RHCSA would give you a clear path and your employer might be willing to cover those costs. It's worth asking!