I can second Chris' advice. I would add that getting a college degree can be 
important. Some companies will use a lack of degree to pay less or not even 
consider your application. I am not saying you need a Computer Science degree, 
the degree can be in anything. I have known good sysadmins with History, 
Religion, or Biology degrees.  If nothing else it broadens your experience and 
gets you access to computer labs and a community of learning. I know plenty of 
sysadmins that do not have a degree but I think many of them would agree that 
they were shutout of some jobs because of the lack of a degree. Experience is 
the most important. I have known guys with certificates that could hardly 
operate a computer without a GUI and a mouse. Also with going to college you 
might find a job there to get some experience under your belt. When a PHD you 
work with gets a new job somewhere else they might consider taking you along.

As for location, there are jobs to be had in Nashville but I would think that 
Washington, D.C. or west coast would have more availability. 

That is my take.

Bruce

On Feb 11, 2013, at 7:14 PM, Chris Faulkner wrote:

> In my personal experience, I have no certs or creds with linux and
> this is by no means to turn you off but Linux Sysadmins are not wanted
> very much, at least around Nashville.  One or two will crop up, but
> usually from recruiters that barely know how to hit the start button
> on Windows 98.  The best thing I can tell you is this..
> 
> Learn shell scripting
> Learn Perl
> Learn real world administration
> 
> and i'll tell you, Los Angeles is a really good place for Linux Admins.
> 
> Also, Linux admins are more or less "All in Ones", CIO's will want you
> to be great at a bunch of tasks like Managing a Database (Mysql or
> Oracle) among a few things.  Also, again, learn as much shell
> scripting as you can.. this is absolutely important.  Others on this
> list may disagree with me, but that's ok, take mine with a grain of
> salt please..
> 
> On Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 6:21 PM, Xpistos <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hey all. I have been a member of the group for a few years and have even
>> managed to make my up to a meeting here or there (difficult for me
>> especially since I live in Columbia).  In any event, a wise man once said
>> find out what the successful people are doing and do that! I have been using
>> Linux for a few years and am getting ready to make a commitment to getting
>> Linux certified and not sure if I should do LIP or Linux+. I also want to
>> know if anyone has any suggestions about how I go about becoming a Linux Sys
>> Admin. I have been hearing lately that Nashville is a good area for Linux
>> professionals and that is where this n00b would like to wind up.
>> 
>> Can anyone give me a shove in the right direction?
>> 
>> Thanks in advance.
>> 
>> Xpistos (pronounced Christos)
>> 
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