Voluntarily and joyfully separated but too early to retire
 

So I received and accepted voluntary separation from my company. It's a couple months until my last day, and I get an OK severance. I've been in the field a while, started out as a computer operator 1973, jumped to programming in '77 and project management later on.

I have been a Unix System Administrator since 1996. I have worked with HP-UX since then, and with AIX for the last 4 years. The last system I programmed on was retired last year, and the HP-UX will be retired the same time as me, hence the RIF.

I've been playing with Linux at home the past 2 years or so and tried to get involved with the servers here at work, but they had no interest in spending the time or money to train 'the old guy' so I could help out the overworked admin; despite 18 years as a Unix admin. Go figure.

I have two Dell R210 servers at home and have settled on Fedora, growing from v.15 to 20. (I just built my 3rd Windows PC, and am looking forward to getting a Ubuntu laptop to replace my aging Windows laptop.)

I decided that at 62 I am too healthy and young to retire and can work a few more years if I could get certified in Linux. You ask, "who wants to work till they're 70?" Well, if you're having fun...why not?

I continue to see articles about the shortage in Linux and Security administrators. Can anyone corroborate?

So, I decided to sign up with the Linux Foundation classes and am currently taking the Essentials course which came at a nice low introductory price. I just signed up for the Linux Networking Course in July. I'll take the Linux Security class in August if all goes well. By then I'll be on my own and will have learned all of the things I knew I needed to know but couldn't find the opportunity to learn. Hopefully it will be money well spent.

I'm interested in meeting y'all and hearing your thoughts.

jazztech

Yawnstown, Ohio says "Welcome to LQ!"

Hello and Welcome :)

Welcome to LQ.

18 years as a UNIX admin, Wow. Linux and Unix are different but not that different. 62 is still young as long as you still have your health.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

You'll have a hard time at most companies. The grey hair and 24 year old personnel staff will not hire you.

I'd think about maybe a government position. Might be able to get in a spot where they'd pay for more schools.

Doubt you'd need to be certified but that may help in only for fun.

You will have very little to learn for the most part. You really do know all the concepts.

"Browns-town" says, Thanks.

Thanks!

Thanks! Alot's changed just in the last 2 years.

Future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
 

I'm hoping the experience, cert and high demand might overcome the age thing. I may be naive about this job search, but I feel this the right path, and I'll give it my best shot. I'll take short term assignments, can travel if necessary. My brother mentioned the fed gov jobs site too. Chinese probably have all my info already anyway.