I'm currently a student and I'm on the hunt for an internship. Instead of just asking for job openings, I thought it would be better to seek some advice to help me navigate this process. I have four specific questions:
1. If you were hiring a system administrator, what would be the most important aspect on a resume aside from actual work experience?
2. What essential skills or knowledge should I focus on when starting out in this field?
3. What are your favorite resources for learning? This could be a YouTube channel, a book, or a podcast—anything useful for education.
4. What kind of personal projects could I work on to gain hands-on experience?
Thanks in advance for your insights!
3 Answers
Checking Google Maps for local companies can be a good strategy. Figure out what they do and see if it aligns with what you want to contribute. Then, just walk in and ask about internship opportunities!
It’s true that internships for sysadmins aren’t super common. My previous job had a co-op program focused on help desk work, so you might want to look into that aspect as well.
If you’re in college, your school might have resources for internships. My university has programs to help student employees and for those getting academic credit. As for your questions:
1. We typically value attitude over aptitude; technical skills can be learned. Evidence of teamwork—like participating in clubs or projects—helps a lot.
2. Become a skilled generalist. Know how to install or patch computers, use scripting tools like PowerShell or Ansible, and get familiar with Python. Experiment with AI tools too!
3. I prefer in-person learning, but for online, platforms like YouTube are great. Check out John Savill's videos for a variety of IT topics.
4. A good project would be to build a computer from scratch or use AI for tasks and projects, then be prepared to discuss the outcomes.
I feel you—my college just gives us a list of companies that have hired interns before. I applied everywhere, but I’m not getting responses. It feels like I'm just getting lost in the HR shuffle.
Totally get it! Some universities offer work-study roles in their IT departments. Internships typically involve more significant work but can be tough for those just starting out.
That’s a solid approach! I had a couple of internships in college which led to my first job. I was just really enthusiastic and had a decent fit with my current company. It made a difference!
That's solid advice! I've been doing the same, but it seems like most places aren't looking to hire interns at the moment.