I'm currently living in Canada and have enough funds for two attempts at the RHCSA exam. I already hold the CompTIA A+ and CCNET certifications. Having helped a friend study for some Linux foundation certifications, I'm fairly confident in my ability to pass the RHCSA. However, I'm not receiving responses for jobs that match my qualifications at the moment, and since I'm homeless, this investment feels significant. I'm primarily looking for tier 1 help desk roles. Can anyone provide some insight or reassurance about whether pursuing the RHCSA is a good idea right now? A simple yes or no would be appreciated!
4 Answers
Honestly, I'd say no for now. Look into getting a book from Sander van Vugt about the RHCSA exam and really study before taking the test; you might be surprised by how tough it can be right now.
Mostly no. The basics are A+ and Net+ to get started. The RHCSA is not usually relevant for entry-level help desk roles since you won't be working on servers right away. The job market is tough, and you're competing with a lot of experienced applicants for these entry-level positions. I suggest passing on the RHCSA for now and using this downtime to learn PowerShell, Bash, and Python. Those skills will be useful and help you move up quickly in your career later on!
It really depends on your local job market. The RHCSA could help you get into a Linux support position, provided your resume looks solid. However, for roles like Linux system administrator, you often need some prior Linux experience to stand out unless you have a connection to get you in.
I got my RHCSA in April and have been applying for sys admin jobs since. I'd suggest having your CV reviewed by someone. I only got one interview and no offers yet, but I think you should be okay for tier 1 help desk roles with your current certifications. Maybe save your money for now and focus on polishing your resume and cover letters. You can always delay the RHCSA until you have a stable job.
I’m not aiming for a Linux position specifically; I’m open to any tech-related role. The RHCSA feels easier to study for compared to something like CCNA, which is why I'm considering it.