Need advice on starting Linux system admin career with no college and just certifications
 

Hello everyone! I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this question so I apologize in advance if it's not.

I'm exploring the idea of getting an entry level Linux system admin job but not sure if it'll be possible since I'm not in a place to obtain a degree and I have no relevant work experience in an IT role.

My plan would be to sign up for training like Linux academy since they offer hands on labs so I'd have experience implementing what I learn and be prepared for exams.

I'm considering going after the CompTIA A+ and Linux + and a red hat certification if it's needed but I still would lack experience even with the hands on labs on a real server.

My question is - is it possible to get an entry level Linux system admin job with just having certifications? If so would the A+, Linux+ be enough or what else would I need?

I realize I'd have a ton to learn and this wouldn't be an overnight career change but I'm willing to put in the effort if it's actually possible to get hired with just certifications and the hands on lab experience.

My current job is an seo analyst and I've done a year of web development contract work so I'm not completely new to the digital- tech space. I also use Ubuntu on my personal laptop and I'm not an expert by any means but I do like Linux and enjoy it. I have hardened a centos server for a friend by following tutorial and loved it.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

I think the real problem is that you have no relevant work experience. It is possible (probably) to get any job, but you may definitely fail without practice.
I do not really understand what is "entry level linux system admin", but probably you can try join to a group as beginner and do something called "training in the job". Or look for some online courses.

Thank you for the reply! My plan would be to utilize the real lab servers to practice but if that's not enough then it may be pretty hard to get hired even with the certifications.

I've been looking for system admin jobs that are willing to train and it seems they're pretty few and far between since everyone wants experience these days.

look for a local company, perhaps a startup or small business to gain experience. Don't lie to them about your experience, be honest and upfront. Be willing to take less pay for learning as your grow.....sometimes the best training is working for free in the beginning (intern, mentor/student etc...).

big companies will want BS certificates and degrees that mean nothing other then you need higher pay because you have higher debt to pay off. IMO.

That makes sense. Would these smaller or local companies/startups be more willing to let someone with just the certifications work with them to gain experience though? I would assume being up front would be the best way to gain experience and not burn bridges. I'd have to do work on the side since I couldn't quit my full time current job until I get another full time system admin job.

When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it. - Theodore Roosevelt

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. - Milton Berle

https://www.matrixres.com

Remain encouraged.

Build bridges not burn them.

</opinion>

Thank you for the inspiration! We need more inspiring individuals in this world!!

In the United States, I predict that it is already becoming common for high school students not to elect to attend college, because they know that they would emerge four years later hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt ... and unable to compete with non-citizens who officially work for foreign corporations.

If you're an American citizen today, the message is quite clear: "don't go to college." America has decided that it doesn't need college-educated American young people anymore: it can get them from overseas and throw the workers back over the transom after two, four, or six years, or it can simply send the work overseas and leave it there. As a young person you can afford to wait for the political winds-of-change to shift: they are already changing, yes, but those who are in power in the Congress et al now refuse to see it yet. Some of these people are more than seventy years old, and Father Time will reap them if the voters don't get them first.

The day will come in a few years when the present leaders have been displaced and the country will "suddenly" once again see the wisdom of promoting education and self-sufficiency as it once did for your fathers and your grandfathers. In the meantime, the money that you don't shackle in the name of hopeless debt will be money that is yours.

You are/were already inspired.

I merely repeated it.

Peace.

sundialsvcs, you forgot the tags
<opinion> <sarcasm> <frustration> :D

My God your post is demoralizing but I can't disagree with it. College tuition in the US has gotten to an insane level. My brother is in the hole for 70k for getting an associates degree at the Art Institute (a F**king associates), despite my protests against it otherwise.

I was one of the lucky ones and got my BS at a state school when it was still cheap and came out of it with literally zero debt from it. Can't say the same for the current of crop debt slaves.

Similar to what pan64 is saying, certifications ain't worth the paper their printed on, if you ain't got any experience.

One of our other most knowledgeable members gives some very good pointers here, suggest you read it. A good read.