Hi,

First of apologies if this is posted in wrong category, I could only think of Linux Newbie or Linux General to ask this question.

I think my question is gear more towards Linux professional currently working in United Kingdom, as they tell me the current market trend at the moment.

I am currently working a graphic designer in London and thinking of career change due to various reasons,long story short I have got bacholars in computer science and interest in Linux and I was thinking to plan a career in Linux Administration.

I am planning to do certification but confused in between RHCSA and LPIC, I am more inclined towards LPIC 100 and 200 series exam as they seems very very comprehensive than RHCSA outline and also I like the the chunk base approach like little steps at time with RHCSA there is huge exam cost and you have to do all of in one go so you lose more money while if you do LPIC gradually you get there eventually.

My simple questions what would be a better way to get my feet in the door.If I do comptia A+ and LPIC 100 and 200 series exam will that going to be enough to get my feet in the door or to secure a junior / entry level Linux position in UK market.

I really love the community and support that I have received so far on this forum which I have never experienced anywhere else in such forum based environment.

Thank you so much !

There's a couple of things that could be said and I'll try and keep it short. Also please don't read any negative connotations into things as that's not my intention.

- There are many threads on the subject on LQ: please search and read.
- Any trend any market will currently display is not what you should be looking for: make up your own mind.
- You're sacrificing an investment: do find out if combining or transitioning skills within a company could be an alternative.
- Given your previous threads on the subject (and if you've not been making any significant headway the past two years) determine if this really is what you want.
- Also if you'll be transitioning you enter an already overcrowded market: be extremely aware of what you offer, how you offer it and what you're willing to invest.
- Find out what companies need (and, from experience, I'll say the more personal your approach is the better).
- Proven experience trumps certifications. More times than you think. (Besides us herders of cats love R/L hairy furball stories :-])

In short: Comptia: probably not (unless you want to end up as a CSR), LPIC-{1,2,3}: yes. Then maybe buy Michael Jang's RHCSA/RHCE book and then get the company (you then already work for) to spring for your RHCSA/RHCE if they think you're worth it and will invest back into the company.

Now look ahead and determine what a realistic time frame would be for achieving RHCSA. Now imagine the endless stream of problems with systems, the flak you get from impatient customers, the low pay grades and odd hours, reporting and documenting, bad workplaces, commuting problems, stone cold crazy co-workers, bad bosses, company bankruptcy, shifting job focus and reorganizations during that period. Given that and other aspects that make a vacation in Hell seem like real fun R&R, tell me if this really is what you longed to do all your life?..

2 members found this post helpful.

unSpawn thanks fror your valuable comments,will keep these into account.

"R/L" furry-hairball stories?

Anyhow ... UnSpawn's comments as given above are positively wise.

"Heed them, padewan."

And don't forget the proverbial fence with its greener grass. Sometimes (sigh ...) I wish that I'd been a graphic designer, instead.

YEAH! No kidding! I have to work with the output of graphics designers, some are great and some ... aren't. Bottom line is they'er all expensive and the great ones are most expensive, worth it, and they get the job done right and rapidly. But I've had to learn photoshop/gimp a ton to still deal with the drawings to incorporate them into GUIs. Not actually looking to change, but I find it to be a pretty neat speciality.

I too agree with unspawn's comments. Speaking less from experience as an IT person, I've never been IT, instead R&D. But I have experience with certifications. To me professional certifications appear near worthless. Talent, and historical actions speak volumes. My impression, right or wrong; are that some certifications are very costly, take a long time to acquire and that puts into question whether or not you'd ever get a proper return on that investment. Also I'd consider that if certification was important, that I'd seek opportunities where they'd sponsor and pay for that certification. Much like a security clearance is costly, as an independent it's near impossible to start and get one, but if you work with a sponsor company and you obtain a secret or higher clearance, since that was highly difficult to attain, the follow-on clients are happy that you have it and also glad to continue to help in the sponsoring of the renewals. But that may be my ignorance; clearances versus certifications. It also makes me think about something I'd never put much thought into ... renewal. Like who cares if you got some certification 5+ years ago, eh? You'd probably be best advised to renew that, if it was truly important. So that's actually food for thought. and obvious repeat expense.

I mean, if there's cheap and easy to obtain certifications, fine get them but don't expect much. Check the market place and determine if costly and involved certifications are truly mandatory, plus the whole ball of wax regarding ROI to you and/or sponsorship by an employer.

I'd buy a computer to be a contractor. I'd lease a car if I needed to be a self employed travelling salesman. I'd establish a company and get the proper insurances to be able to do those same actions, and yes I would invest in trade shows, seminars, or certifications if I felt they were important; however I'd have to evaluate them, their costs, and also I'd be putting those costs against my company rather than just spending personal money. I know that sounds weird, because in your own company it is your money, but you tend to observe both the feasibility and the relevance of how you spend your money when you consider whether or not it truly helps your company's business case.