Greetings,

I’ve got myself quite a problem. My college currently offers a Unix/Linux System Administration certificate part-time course (not Linux+), just a standard college certificate. The problem is, if it doesn’t get a high enrollment, the course is cancelled.

Not far from where I live, 20-30 min walk, another college is offering Linux+ certification. I spoke the professor over the phone, and he admitted that they don’t get a lot of students, but if I paid and showed up, he will teach the course.

Right now, I’m learning bash on my own, and its fun. I read awhile ago that employers mostly care about the experience you have, so should I pay and get the college certificate or Linux+ and is Linux+ worth it?

Hi, I think it's worth it. I did A+ cert (IBM for win) years ago

and it showed me things I had no idea about untill I did that course.

so I say go ahead, if you're into it,

you'll gain a lot more than just the theory it teaches,

you'll gain a lot of personal experience and global experience.

Regards Glenn

If you're interested in breaking into the industry and you don't have a resume to show employers, almost any certification they recognize has value, to support Glenns position on this one.

As witnessed by those already working for a DoD contractor in the IT field, L+ is a requirement to work for a DoD contractor in IT matters.

Actually, I think that if a professor says to you, "if you pay for it and show up, I'll teach you the course," I think that's a pretty damned special(!) opportunity. You just might get a few months' time one-on-one (or, nearly so ...) with "a person who seriously knows."

"You will work your a*s off!" But you should have known that from the beginning, because you've actually bought a segment of a professional's time ... and such opportunities, properly and seriously handled, can be priceless. Not only will you learn the material, but you will also have made "a professional contact," and earned "a professional reference," from someone whose credentials are stellar: "s/he is a college professor."

Obviously, you should properly explore both opportunities. You have two(!) colleges at your disposal. But you have, at one of those two colleges, an individual who is willing to invest his/her time in "even just one student." The two institutions are, of course, "not in competition with one another," but both of them presently have something to offer you. Drop by the offices of both places (during published hours, of course ...), and ask more questions. Let [both of ...] them help you arrive at what is the best decision for you.

(P.S.: My [experienced ...] first-reaction to your comment was ... "gee, students like you are rare! ... I like to work with 'students like you.'")