I'm a recent computer science graduate from a developing country, and my internship at a bank involved a bit of everything: IT support, networking, and some DevOps-related work. I'm interested in software development, but entry-level opportunities are extremely competitive, so I'm considering system administration as a practical way to start earning and build toward a long-term DevOps or cloud infrastructure career.
I'm currently thinking about earning the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification and possibly the RHCSA afterward. Are those sensible starting points, or would I be better off pursuing help desk, NOC, junior infrastructure, or cloud support roles first? I'd appreciate advice on what to learn, how to present my internship experience, and how to avoid wasting time or feeling like newer AI tools are making the field irrelevant. I enjoy working with computers and want to build a stable career instead of remaining financially dependent on my parents.
2 Answers
Sysadmin work is a large collection of knowledge built over time. Learn the fundamentals and stay curious rather than chasing every new tool or AI announcement. Cloud platforms, automation, and AI are changing how the work is done, but organizations still need people who understand systems, security, failure modes, and how to operate technology safely.
Use AI as an assistant for documentation, scripts, and explanations, but verify everything and make sure you understand the result. Strong troubleshooting and communication skills will remain valuable.
The usual route is to get your foot in the door through help desk, an IT generalist position, an MSP, or a NOC, then deliberately move toward infrastructure work. Try to be a high performer, volunteer for tasks involving servers and networking, and learn from more experienced coworkers. An MSP can be intense, but broad exposure to many environments may help you progress faster than a narrowly limited support role.
You don’t necessarily have to start at the lowest possible level if your internship gives you enough practical experience. Apply broadly and let employers decide whether you meet the requirements.
Related Questions
Can't Load PhpMyadmin On After Server Update
Redirect www to non-www in Apache Conf
How To Check If Your SSL Cert Is SHA 1
Windows TrackPad Gestures