Trends in Linux Administration

One of the major trends that is developing is, more interest in the position for Lower Experience Linux Administrators.  Currently we train  about 100 students a week and we have been asking them the question, “Why are you taking a Linux Admin class now?”, the responses are three:

1. Company Considering Linux Over Windows
This movement in nothing new but is on the increase.  Economics, or at least the perception of poor economic times, has forced many companies out of the “wait and see” attitude toward Linux so that they are now actively making the move.  This means that Linux Administrator positions will be on the increase.  What is probably more important in this trend is that companies are looking for administrators with lower skill levels.  This is certainly good news for those wanting to move into Linux as now there seems to be an increase in opportunities for newly trained administrators.

2. Company Expanding Linux Options
The expansion is usually determined by new needs that occur because new Linux servers.  Usually companies are adding a new type of server that needs a new skill set.  For example, they may be moving their current DNS server to Linux and need an administrator that can work with DNS.  The other type of expansion we see happening is that companies are looking toward adding individuals to make sure that they are not left in the lurch is someone leaves.  Companies are afraid of losing the Linux skill sets that they have as they know those skill sets are hard to come by.  Again, this trend is good news for those interested in the Linux Administration as companies are willing to consider those with less skill and thus be trained on the job.  But they are also looking for people who will stay awhile.  Here are some excellent training options.

3. Job Security
The sad news is that there is a major trend toward people looking for Linux skills to help them survive in their work place.  This kind of pressure is often the wrong motivation for looking to Linux.  One of the reasons is that during stressful times people make choices that they often leave once the pressure is off.  Many of those that we see are poorly motivated in learning Linux, they just want to take a class to tell the employer they have Linux skills now.   That is not how you learn Linux.  Most of these individuals are coming from Windows and will return to Windows as soon as the opportunity arrives simply because it is the easiest path for them.  They do not want to learn Linux from the command line and are certainly not motivated to put in the time to make it all work.

Summary:
As a whole even in bad economic times there is great opportunity for Linux skill sets.  And the best news is for those just moving into the position of Linux Administrator because their are even greater opportunities for the lower skill sets.

Tagged as: Linux Administration, Linux Careers, Linux Trends