[colug-432] Readin', writin', 'rithmetic, etc.

[Brian Miller]

Matthew W. Miller wrote:
> Hello, world!
> 
>
> Now, I've been running personal Linux boxes of various flavors for the
> past ten years or so (first Red Hat, nowadays Debian).  Understanding
> the caveat that taking care of my own machine is a lot different from
> taking care of other people's machines, I think I could learn what it
> takes to make it as a sysadmin (or maybe network admin), but of course
> in the current super-tight labor market, at least in my experience,
> nobody wants to give an applicant the time of day unless he or she has a
> degree.
> 
> Which is where the members of this list come in, if you don't mind your
> brains being picked.  What programs/courses do you recommend pursuing?
> What fields are in high/increasing demand?  What certifications are
> likely to elicit more than a shrug?  Understanding also that everybody
> has a different situation and different experiences, I'd like to have at
> least an idea or two of what to look for before I start looking through
> course catalogues and begging for financial aid.

Certs are a mixed bag.  Some places like them, many don't care (at least 
if you're not looking for a Microsoft job).  But with your background, 
you likely could get an LPI cert without much trouble.  That might get 
you in for an interview someplace.