Having trouble choosing the best position for my first linux admin job.
Posted by ModeAccomplished@reddit | linuxadmin | View on Reddit | 51 comments
For some info I’m a 27 year old male and I took a linux admin bootcamp after being in desktop support roles for my whole career. I recently received 3 different offers for linux admin positions that I’m deciding on and need advice. Please let me know what would benefit me the most in terms of learning, pay, and potential growth.
-
Dod position where I must obtain a secret clearance, relocation from Maryland to Cincinnati required. Fully on site and pay is 92k. The environment seems like there will be many others that I will be working with. They are only offering 2k relocation assistance which is nothing I would have to take the rest out of my pocket. I heard secret clearance is very useful to have.
-
Fully Remote position no clearance or move required. Pay is 100k even no bonus. However in this role I’d only be working with 2 other linux admins. For my first role where I want to make sure I learn enough to be successful would this be enough support? Also can you be as successful at a remote role that I could be at a on site one?
-
Fully on site position in Maryland so I wouldn’t have to move. Pay Would be 100k to 120k. Public trust required but I already have one. Focus seems to be on linux environments with additional windows support as well. Security focused patching of monitored systems. Tier 2+ service support, interfacing with Tier 1 and 3+.
Which one would you choose as your FIRST role specifically??? Any advice from those already working would be appreciated.
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
2 is likely to evaporate after a few years.
nathacof@reddit
That clearance will open up a world of possibilities but most of then involve killing people so up to you. I'd probably do two cause I prefer remote work. Three is the objective winner. They pay the most. 🤷
Honolulu-Blues@reddit
Lmaoo
leonredhorse@reddit
It's a public trust. My 5-year-old could probably get one. Plus he said he has one already.
Special-Original-215@reddit
Lol, killing people. The real key of the clearance is your job is safe from H1Bs.
But #3 does sound best
dataexception@reddit
I would, in order, do 1, 3, 2.
1. You're going to learn more at DoD, and likely have the most job security. A lot of room for advancement, as well.
Any resume with experience at an institution like that will be perused out of curiosity, alone, whereas a 5 year stint at an insurance company may be dismissed without a second glance. The fact that you are handling sensitive and classified information also indicates a level of trustworthiness.
2. Not moving + higher starting salary is bonus.
3. Working from home is fucking awesome. I don't have to deal with traffic, dressing up for work, hell, don't even need to shower that day if I sleep a little later than intended. Roll out of bed 5 minutes before you log in for the day, and you're good.
iheartrms@reddit
1 if you want money as the clearance is very valuable. Even if that isn't an ideal position for you, you can eventually take the clearance to a better paying job after a year. But you will likely never be able to work from home with a clearance job.
Congratulations on having three offers in this horrible market! That's amazing!
And on top of it all, you get to work with Linux!
festoo23@reddit
I see you got quality problems to be honest.. if I were you I would go for the second option....way more flexible and easier to network while working there.
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
Easier to network at a remote job? How? Lol
redundant78@reddit
3 is the clear winner here. highest pay, no relocation, you already have the public trust, and being on-site for your first linux admin role means you can learn way faster by just turning around and asking someone a question. the security-focused patching experience will also look great on your resume down the line. the clearance from #1 is nice but $2k relocation to move from MD to Ohio is insulting, and that 92k in Cincinnati isn't actually the deal it sounds like when you factor in uprooting your life.
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
What’s your opinion on the fully remote one?
Confident_Guide_3866@reddit
If you’re working for federal government or a contractor don’t even think about getting a second, conflicting, job.
SevaraB@reddit
For #1, the low pay and relocation are because OH can be very, very cheap COL. If you’ve got reserves, this is the best for future growth.
If you’re strapped for cash, #3 will give you the most stability and breathing room to continue learning.
You’re absolutely right- #2 sounds like it’ll throw you in the deep end and expect more out of you than you got in the boot camp. Painful experience is a better teacher than any boot camp, and in solo or near-solo gigs, it’s almost a requirement because you’ll likely encounter breakage frequently and be so swamped that you need to be almost “flash cards, lightning round” quick in bypassing and fixing it.
stufforstuff@reddit
1 - no question. Getting security clearance in IT is like getting a cab medallion in NYC. And just because you went to some boot camp doesn't mean you know shit - go someplace that has the environment to TEACH YOU WHAT A ADMIN DOES. #1 is the best opportunity for long time success.
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
Solid advice I’m leaning towards the clearance too but it would put me in the hole financially for a couple months. Besides ability to get more jobs would the clearance help me find higher pay when it’s time to leave?
stufforstuff@reddit
Absolutely, with the clearance you're above the herd that hasn't the skills or the corp sponsor to get the clearance. You're a tad old, so time to learn the lesson that to move UP in pay, you have to move OUT to new jobs (i.e. each job for the next 3 or 4 need to be 1-3 year experience builders - not lap dog loyalty jobs). Cradle to Grave careers when out in the 70's.
stufforstuff@reddit
And ask for more relocation money - the worse they can do is say "no".
eman0821@reddit
You should learn how to make decisions on your own instead of asking in a public thread. It's all up to you to decide not some one else to tell you what to do and make decisions for you.
kyleh0@reddit
This guy talks like someone who was handed everything. Asking questions is a great way to make decisions.
eman0821@reddit
When you get into a Sysadmin role, you aren't going to be told what to do. You are in an Admin role that relies on decison making rather than just executing tasks that's ticket driven. You own the infrastructure. If you want hand hold and rely on others to make decisions for you, a Sysadmin job will not be for you.
kyleh0@reddit
Are you talking to me? A person who said he was an end of career aged IT type?
DOD clearance, to second my vote! So many relatively high safety jobs come with clearance.
eman0821@reddit
No I'm talking about decison making in general. People in general shouldn't rely on other people to make decisions for them. The OP should decide for themselves what they want not some strangers picking and choosing for them.
kyleh0@reddit
People work for bosses and policy, dude. If you start your career thinking you are boss-independo boy you will not be working with me for very long.
eman0821@reddit
So are you going rely on other people to ask them when can you eat, tie your shoe or ask when can you go to sleep? This is just common sense day to day stuff. As I mentioned before a Sysadmin role is not an execution support type of job that's based on tickets. You are spending a great amount of time as the strategist doing proactive work, planning, fine tuning, monitoring, engineering, finding solutions to reduce downtime and use critical thinking skills on how to quickly resolve complex infrastructure issues under high pressure. You own the infrastructure as you make all those decisions on your own.
kyleh0@reddit
Listen to mister "I was born a CEO". Literally hilarious. So glad I'm out of it. this new wave is going to be trash.
eman0821@reddit
It's silly to rely on other people to control your own career path and make decisions for you. That should be you ro decide on your what you want to do with your life. It's your career, you are in charge of your own career.
kyleh0@reddit
Do you pay yourself? Lol, this Tate generation, oh my god.
kyleh0@reddit
Asking questions is not "relying on other people to make decisions for you", especially if you are going to be root. You are a fool, probably a developer since they talk like you do. Linux admins aren't like that, in my experience. heh
eman0821@reddit
The OP is asking which job should they go for? Is it common sense that you should decided for your own self based on your own factors such as cost, or if they feel like moving to another state? That's up the OP to decide to make that call not some one else's responsibility to tell them what to do.
kyleh0@reddit
" interfacing with Tier 1 and 3+."
Do you understand what "interfacing" means?
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
Just trying to get advice from people that have experience calm down.
eman0821@reddit
In order to be a good Sysadmin, it's fundamental skill for critical thinking and decison making especially when it comes to ownership of an infrastructure. Decison making is critical especially for each change you make to a production grade environment. That's all I'm saying. You need to figure out what works based on your needs and different factors to decide on your own. Everyone ones experience is different that may not work for you as no size fits all sizes.
kyleh0@reddit
As an end of career dude, if you get a chance to get a DOD clearance, DO IT.
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
What was the biggest benefit? Was there any opportunity for remote/hybrid work for your clearance jobs?
Specialist_Spirit940@reddit
Que bootcamp tomaste?
up_o@reddit
Gut says don't do 2 if you still want to be employed at the same place in 2 years.
Ohio is dog's breath and that relocation assistance is toilet paper, but if you aren't tied down by family, gut says go for it.
3 is solid.
Reversi8@reddit
Get 2 and then eventually get a second job at same time.
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
How’s that been for you?
Reversi8@reddit
Unfortunately it hasn’t yet lol.
mello_v5@reddit
Can i ask what linux bootcamp did u take?
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
It’s a family member that does it so can’t really recommend it unfortunately it’s usually just a small circle of ppl every year
vonbonds@reddit
1 is the best as you’ll get a secret clearance but you have to get much more in relocation fees. Do you know how much that will cost you?
If 1 can’t come through with more then 3 is the answer. You need to learn and grow at your age.
Fun fact, I worked in Maryland for a huge defense contractor (you can guess). I moved into a house in a new town after 2 years of living in an apartment. I had to get my secret clearance to deal with the occasional “spillage”. I lived in that neighborhood for 8 years and it wasn’t until after being there for a year or two did one finally admit why they weren’t interested in getting to know me. The FBI had come around doing interviews with them about me a month after I moved into and wouldn’t tell them why. Once they realized where I worked it all clicked for them lol
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
Do you think it’s impossible to learn from a remote role?
vonbonds@reddit
No but it’s easier to learn when you’re with others in the same place. I’m in my 50s now and I don’t ever want to go back to an office type environment but I’m fully baked at this point. I got a lot out of seeing how others carried themselves, talked to the customers (internal users but we approached them all like customers as they’re using the apps that run on the infrastructure), talked to leadership..you get the idea.
ModeAccomplished@reddit (OP)
Do you think it’s impossible to learn from a remote role?
mello_v5@reddit
I really need to see the answer of this question. Like also how Linux in remote role is? What are generally the tasks ?
trippedonatater@reddit
They all seem fine. I would slightly lean towards 1 to get the clearance and set yourself up for future roles.
Some other questions to ask: what's on call look like? With 3, how likely are you to get stuck with doing all the Windows work? How important is location and being remote to you? Are you taking cost of living into account (i.e. 100k in the DC area < 92k in Cincinnati)? Do you have insight into the work environment and culture? Do any of these companies allocate money specifically for training/certifications/etc.?
NegativeK@reddit
2 if they actually have a good remote work environment, 3 if not.
Any info on the boot camp? I'm curious about how quickly you're getting offers.
Blacksmith-23@reddit
I will choose the third one in which will get more information about the environment and office culture. Also as freshers always choose on-site job.
ZealousidealPin1767@reddit
3rd one
DaprasDaMonk@reddit
I'd honestly choose number 3 and congrats