Hey everyone, I'm totally new to the tech world with no industry background. I have an electrical engineering degree, but now I want to dive into Linux system administration. I've started teaching myself Linux and Bash scripting, but I feel a bit overwhelmed and confused. I don't know what to focus on next, and I lack guidance from anyone experienced in the field. What should I prioritize after mastering the basics of Linux and Bash? Are there any small projects or hands-on experiences that would be beneficial for me? Any advice or resources would be greatly appreciated to help me steer my learning in the right direction. Thanks!
5 Answers
Absolutely, you can do it! Start with these resources: for Linux basics, check out this YouTube playlist [link] and this Bash guide [link]. For Linux installation, I recommend setting up a Linux environment and pursuing the RHCSA certification. There's a fantastic book here [link] that can help you. Best part? All of these resources are free, so dive right in! Good luck!
Without formal education, you can start by using Linux as your main operating system at home. Build a home lab with your own gear, even a small VPS can be useful. Try to host a personal project, like a website or mail server, and learn how to manage security and backups. This hands-on experience is invaluable. Embrace the challenge and be prepared for some hiccups along the way – it’s all part of the learning process! Good luck!
Getting your RHCSA is a solid step; it'll certainly enhance your opportunities. Also, consider helping friends with their WordPress sites to learn about hosting and migrating content. Set up a small hosting environment for practice, automate tasks using Ansible, and get familiar with different types of software lifecycle management. This hands-on approach will take time but will prepare you for becoming a junior sysadmin within a year or so.
It's great that you're taking the iniative! The bigger hurdle is actually the lack of experience rather than the missing degree. System administration roles aren't typically entry-level, so getting some practical experience is key. I'd recommend setting your sights on certifications like CompTIA A+ and Network+, and consider spending a year or two working in a help desk role before jumping into sysadmin jobs. Try creating a certification roadmap: A+ âž” Network+ âž” RHCSA âž” CKA âž” some cloud platform like AWS. In the meantime, get comfortable with Bash scripting, Ansible, and maybe even some basic Python for automation. It won't be easy, but stick with it and you'll get there!
Setting up a Linux desktop is a fantastic way to gain practical experience. Fix every issue you can, try tough challenges like building Gentoo or even Linux From Scratch. Participate in open source projects to understand Continuous Integration. Working in support for web hosting companies can also be a fast track into sysadmin roles; they offer valuable training and there’s always demand in that area. Plus, your electrical engineering background could open unique doors in datacenter operations. Keep pushing forward!
Absolutely! I took the hosting support route myself and it worked wonders for me. Don't underestimate the experience gained there!
Thanks for the practical tips! I think starting a desktop setup and experimenting with open-source projects sounds like a great plan.