Does RH124 make sense for a newbie wanting to break into the working world of linux?
 

I've been messing around with Ubuntu (CentOS, Arch, and Debian to a lesser extent in virtual environments) for roughly two years. I really enjoy working on the command line, editing different config files and learning about them, and the feeling of success that comes with overcoming roadblocks and walls. I've written very basic scripts, learned to ssh, set up my boxes to be accessible using dynamic DNS, and I've begun creating my own website using self taught php and css. I edit my files with vim.

Basically, I enjoy mucking around in linux, and I want to make a career out of it. But I don't have any professional IT or Linux experience. I've applied for some helpdesk and admin jobs. Even internships. But as a college grad with a degree in philosophy, I am apparently not the ideal candidate. I've spent quite a lot of time sending out applications with no results. I gathered from one interview that i'm not really ready for the job level at the moment, but that with some training, I could become viable. I'm thinking I need to send out resumes that already have a stamp of approval, and I think I need to learn more. Possibly not from a self taught source.

Though I know there are corporate environments that use other distros, but I've been told that I should definitely get familiar with Cent/RHEL.

Does starting down the Red Hat education path make sense for a person in my position? What other options should I look at?

I would suggest that it should be too basic if you've been playing for 2 years already. And expensive. I would suggest you might like to think about self studying the RHCSA syllabus and just do the exam itself. That could get you an actual certification that should get a foot in the door. You're OK with file permissions and installing on a next, next, finish installer? Don't bother with RH124 if so.

If you can afford it, Certification (RHCSA as above) will help a bit to get noticed by HR at least.
RHEL is pretty much the std in commercial systems(but you need to pay for it), and Centos is a free rebuild, so you can start learning that.

You should probably ask the Mods via the Report button to move this to the Certification forum.

You should start looking at the manuals at www.linuxtopia.org, especially the Admin section.

You're going to need a fair bit of luck, as you really need experience as well.