Becoming a Server Administrator 1

[WEBPRO2]

I don't know if this is the right forum for this question, if it is not I apologize, I will be able to retire at age 55 from my present job next year. between now and then I would like to get as many certifications as I can starting with Unix based systems and eventually working up to Windows Servers 2003. My present area of experience pertains to php, apache, mysql html etc. I have about 100 web sites up and running some as little as one page some much more all on some leased server space.

Formal education is a bachelors degree in accounting. I am a great beleiver in self learning I would like to purchase a small server and install the various operating systems on it. Learn each system as I go, take the certifications, then install the next system, take the certifications and so forth.

My question, is this feasabile? Comments and suggestions are welcome. Thinking about a small dell server, any ideas comments etc?

My plans after retirement would be do some contract work for six months out of each year along with some web hosting

Looks like you have a great forum here.

 

[jtb]

As a retiree, you might be able to get a higher paying, less-stressful job greeting people at Walmart than what I've seen lately for Server Admins...

And the certifications you're talking about getting will cost you thousands of dollars...

You definitely need to start thinking about this before you spend any money on it...

JTB
Have Certs, Will Travel
"A knight without armour in a [cyber] land."

 

[Terpsfan]

Web, it sounds like you have already done quite a bit and have a genuine love for computers. People who love doing this stuff are the ones who tend not to fall prey to burnout and stress.

The best thing to do at this point is to create a realistic list of goals and commit them to paper. Create a timeline for realizing your goals. The key is to develop a plan of action. This will serve to motivate you and keep you focused.

Some people set aside a year to gain a certification. Others can do it in less time.

Your background (Apache, PHP, etc) thus far seems more geared towards a Linux based server than Windows. So that may be where you want to start. Since you have so much experience with web pages, maybe a web master or web developer cert would suit you.

There will be those who will say you are too old to be fooling with this, that are you crazy, that you should do something easier in life. You're definitely not going to be happy in life being a Walmart greeter. Just keep on plugging towards your goals...

 

[screwloose]

“…you might be able to get a higher paying… than what I've seen lately for Server Admins”

First, maybe money isn’t the main motivator. Secondly, many people are under the assumption that because of the downturn in IT that pay has become equal or less than a “Walmart greeter” which is absurd. I was downsized over a year ago, and 6 months before that the company reduced everyone’s pay about 7%. I then found another job and it is less than I was making by about 10%, but my pay is still way above what the national per capita, national average, state per capita, state average, city per capita, and city average. Even the few jobs that I have talked to and a couple that I have interviewed for in the past few months have all been in my former jobs salary range.

The money is there, but it depends greatly on your skill, education, experience, attitude, and other factors.

 

[jtb]

new positions for Server Administrators in the Dallas, TX are are being confidently advertised for 10-12 dollars per hour and it's shift work...

I agree that a love of the game makes it easier; but reread webpro2's post. "he" has no certifications, no real server admin (tho' apparently some open systems web admin) experience and an accounting degree.

This industry, contrary to reports published by training companies, is not one in which people become experts by taking a week-long bootcamp.

webpro2 is proposing spending thousands of dollars for hardware, more thousands for software (since "he" wants to support customers), and further thousands for certification.

When "he" goes into business as a contractor, consultant, or whatever, "he" will need to have a much more detailed plan than above... and "he" will be competing for business with thousands of others (not me) who have built business and career plans... *nudge* *nudge* *wink* *wink*

There is still a lot of money in IT--for some people; but there is a lot of heartache and disappointment for people who believe you can get a good job with a couple of certificates and no paid experience... Over the internet, an overseas company might be able to provide trained and experienced staff 7x24 for less than you need to live...

I'm not trying to be negative. I'm trying to help you see that you better spend as much time planning this one as you spend on planning your retirement... build a business plan and have someone you trust make you defend it...

JTB
Have Certs, Will Travel
"A knight without armour in a [cyber] land."

 

[buddafish]

i agree with jtb. and after all, certs are just that, certs. experience is just that, experience. putting lots of letters on your business card may get you the job, but can you do the job???

webpro2, per your question about the server, well, you can install lots of server software on a mid class pc and not have to pay big bucks for it. i use lots of old pc's in my testlab. check out vmware for running multiple os's on one machine at the same time. saves space and expense...

scottie

 

[jtb]

and there's also actual "server-class" hardware available on ebay for small money (ok, most of it is older stuff)

But trust me, whatever you decide to do will cost you much less and be done in much less time if you plan first. before you spend any money, plan.

And read The E-Myth...

And after you've planned and succeeded, have a tall cold one and think of the little people you met along the way... ;-)

JTB
Have Certs, Will Travel
"A knight without armour in a [cyber] land."