I'm about to start my first junior sys admin role in a month and I'm curious about what seasoned sys admins wish newcomers knew when they join their workplace. Are there any skills they should have that are crucial for success? My future responsibilities will include managing Virtual Servers, Active Directory, system monitoring, antivirus solutions, firewalls, switches, system patching, and overseeing both Windows and Linux operating systems.
5 Answers
You will definitely bring down production at some point—it's basically a rite of passage. Just make it a learning opportunity. The key is to be honest with your manager and team about what happened. Taking responsibility for your mistakes is crucial.
I've heard that from others. Hopefully, it won't happen, but as a newbie, it's always possible, right?
Don’t stress about mastering everything. It's all about developing the ability to find solutions and knowing when to ask for help. That's the true skill you should focus on developing.
But you still need to be proactive in finding solutions! There's a balance.
Right! That really eases the pressure; I appreciate it!
Have a solid understanding of the basics—networking, file structures, and how OS works. Most skills you'll learn on the job, so start with those core concepts to set yourself up for success. Check logs frequently too; they can be a lifeline in troubleshooting!
Spot on! Logs can give you so much context, but too often, they get overlooked.
Knowing the basics really does make everything else easier. I'll definitely focus on that!
Try not to blindly run scripts you find online unless you know the programming language behind them. Also, look into using security tools like PingCastle—it helps boost security and familiarizes you with Active Directory and GPOs in a practical way!
And make sure you get management's approval before using tools like that! They'll flag you for security issues otherwise.
For sure! If you run nmap/wireshark, be ready for some alarms. Always have a justified reason for running scans.
Remember that being a sys admin is really a customer service role at its core. Brush up on your people skills. It will make your day-to-day work a lot smoother!
Absolutely agree! Patience is key when dealing with end users.
It's so true! Owning up can really help you and the team move forward.