Some help for a newbie
Posted by Enosmaa@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 23 comments
Hello there,
I'm currently in it support , like lvl 0 'cause of how bad are my users but anyway, and at school to begin sys admin.
The thing is, right know, i'm kinda borred of what i need to do at job, it's usually just install some new computers and plug some things because people can't handle it. So i have plenty free time during my day and i'm wondering what can i do to improve my knowledge in IT without going into another rabbit hole (like Linux and ricing stuff 😬) , cause i feel like my brain is too much in adequation with my job rn, like bored.
There is too many information on the net, idk where i need to start and i thought it will be better if i just ask some pro or people who are in IT since a long time.
I forget to precise it but i'm not born with a keyboard in my hands, like i was manager in a fast food before i decide to go back to school, and i choose IT because i'm a big gamer and have an interest in IT so much.
Anyway i hope you're going to be kind :') And wish you a pleasant day ❤️
(Sorry for my poor english)
SkyAdditional1731@reddit
Build an Agentic ticket system and GPT IT knowledge base. You’ll have even more free time 😆
GloomySwitch6297@reddit
"choose IT because i'm a big gamer and have an interest in IT so much."
... ehh
can tell how many kids I have in the office with exact same approach and absolutely no IT skill.
How is your high level math? Usually a background of good sysadmins and IT engineers?
What IT interest (so much) are you in? Systems? Networking? Programming?
Bare in mind, people that for example design graphics for games aren't "IT" just because they use computers.
Same with data engineers. I wouldn't strictly call them "IT".
If you are bored, scope what path would you like to take and start online courses? Even the free ones?
mrkokkinos@reddit
I flunked math. Never really felt like that held me back in my career in IT tbh. I know a lot of people raving about the importance of maths and higher education. They're still in school, working in schools, bartending or some other part time gigs. Meanwhile I'm a senior systems consultant 🤷♂️
TerrorToadx@reddit
Lol math is next to useless in sysadmin, who tf cares about that? Like yea some math logic applies in PowerShell but not much..
GloomySwitch6297@reddit
its not math in general but the mathematical skills/mind behind it.
if higher math was easy, you usually have good skills to become a good sysadmin
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
I know it's a casual statement atm but i'm actually taking so much fun when it's came to think of servers configuration, or trying to understand how networks works. I mean, i just want to feel my brain working again BC actually it's not the case
Well i'm not that good in math...
I'm currently doing Cisco CCNA , donow if it's a good "start"
FartInTheLocker@reddit
CCNA is great start, SEC+ might be a good intro cert to security too.
Other than those for intros, homelabbing is a great way to expedite learning, check r/homelab, tons of resource there.
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
Thanks man, i'm going to deep dive into CCNA and look if i can do SEC+
Yeah i really want to have my proper homelab but don't know where to start, i really need to check more often the r homelab
Candid_Candle_905@reddit
IT is mostly fixing what’s mysteriously broken, not 'liking computers'.
While it does help, in my career what helps more is natural curiosity and an obssession to find solutions. My advice would be for you to pick something specific: systems, netwroking, scripting, cloud, security.
And use your free time for:
- Power Shell basics
- Windows Server + Active Directory (users, groups, GPOS)
- DNS/DHCP/permissions
- A small local lab (Hyper‑V/VMware)
kesagatame@reddit
Get really really good at handling anything thrown at you by 2nd level, excel at what your duties are. Chances are you could still improve and have less free time on your hands than you currently think. Shadow your seniors and experts around you, ask them to give you tasks to help them out during projects or take tedious/busywork off of them. Take notes about everything they mention you don't know yet and start studying it. Set up a homelab or ask if you can get a lab in the office and then ask them questions that demonstrate that you are persistent in wanting to get to know the topic. I never did well just doing courses and certificates, I had to interact with colleagues but I had to show them I was capable, motivated and ultimately worth their time at first. Good luck.
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much, this comment is so kind
I wish so hard i could do that but our structure is too small... There is only me and my tutor, and sysadmin is not his proper formation so he doesn't have much things to give for me..
However, i have a computer at home where i put proxmox , i'm just too affraid to jump into it all by myself and don't know where to start :(
kesagatame@reddit
Get cheap old PCs/servers from eBay & set it up on that! There is a way to budget a homelab, eventually you can replace parts. Check out https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/ and similar resources. There is always a way. Also if you don't get tasks - find them yourself. There is always somet workflow to optimize, some repetitive thing to be automated, some support process to improve. 😉
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
Thanks a lot 🫶 time to dive
OtherwiseFlight2702@reddit
Since you have free time during the day and you are still not sure of which path to follow, try to watch youtube lessons for IT related stuff (networking, coding etc) and actually follow the labs they suggest.
Find out in which one you are either interested in or good at and then focus on that. Try to get certifications and dive deeper.
Depending on your mindset, getting involved with things will get you knowledge even in things outside your IT scope.
OtherwiseFlight2702@reddit
In addition to the post above, follow this subreddit. The community here is great and helpfull. Read the issues people face, track the solution posted and bookmark it.
It is super helpfull to have a pc as a victim to practise on it. Either install windows directly and get through the format / setup fresh when things go bad, or have VMs installed with windows and experiment.
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advices, i'm going to look for that
Wonderful_Wheel7488@reddit
When I started in IT and had a L1 role similar to you, my mindset was more well I can do this but I'm worth so much more. I looked at business processes, software even documentation and then decided to see what I could improve... Even just suggesting to your manager to tidy up folders or create a SharePoint for the team for example would go a long way. We used servicenow as a management tool and I pushed for doing assets and tidying all that stuff up!
It's easy now and you might say you are bored but what motivates you? I also fell into the I'm a gamer so I'll do IT category but it was more I know about computers, can type quick (thank you RuneScape) and I know how to Google errors (more AI now) but later realised I actually enjoy diagnosing, improving and fixing things which has now led me more into IT projects
Depends which route you want to go down If you have just started though I'd soak it all in to begin with and find what aspects of IT you enjoy most. For me it was projects but people go into networking, security, software etc.
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
This !
The problem in my job is that, i don't know if it exist in other part of the world, but i'm half in school, half in job, and it's ending in August. I feel like if i do something deeper to improve some things , like config a proper DHCP because currently it's ... just applying MAC adresses and IP manually in the DHCP... However if i do that, i'm 100% sure my tutor won't be able to maintain and troubleshot it if there is a problem after my departure... :/
I hope i'll find a job for my 3th year and being more independant
Wario_world@reddit
This is good advice. Also, look within or outside your organisation for anyone who may be able, and willing, to mentor you, even if it's only a little. Buy them a coffee, ask questions, and listen to the answers. Getting good advice on a regular basis, as well as studying, gives real-world context that's incredibly helpful. Good luck.
Alexandre_Man@reddit
Learn networking. IP adresses, subnets, public and private adresses and stuff. Always useful.
Also the command line. At least in Windows, like hostname, ping, chkdsk and other basic stuff
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
Thanks mate for the advices, i feel like i already learn those things but i can be wrong
OnAQuestForDankCatsA@reddit
I think it all comes down to: what do find interesting? If you are bored, find something that you find interesting and dive into that subject. After that see if you can find work that involves that subject in your current job or (if not possible) find a job that does
Enosmaa@reddit (OP)
I love to see people talking about there homelab and what they do , but i'm kinda scared because i don't know where to start
In my actual job it's just impossible but, if i'm lucky, i apllied for a new job and it will be full of project and subject