Stay updated in System Administration with essential tips for beginners starting their tech careers.

Tech conferences always provide value to technology professionals. If you think they are a waste of time, consider this: someone will invariably share new insights that you wouldn't have discovered on your own. Recently, there have been improvements in tech conferences where manufacturers collaborate to offer comprehensive value to attendees. Unlike the past, where single-brand conferences focused only on their products, current tech conferences integrate hardware and software products, backup solutions with storage devices, creating seamless business solutions. Cloud technology has replaced 90% of traditional technology and AI is almost always integrated into every solution.

Last updated on Jul 14, 2024

Here's how you can keep up with the latest technologies and trends as a beginner in System Administration.

As a beginner in System Administration, it's vital to stay abreast of the latest technologies and trends to ensure your skills remain relevant and your systems are secure and efficient. The tech landscape is always evolving, and as a system administrator, you're on the front lines of implementing and managing the infrastructure that businesses rely on. Here's a guide to help you keep up-to-date and continuously improve your expertise in this dynamic field.

1 Online Courses

Online learning platforms offer a plethora of courses tailored to system administrators. Whether you're looking to understand the basics of network configuration or delve into advanced cloud computing concepts, there's a course for you. These platforms often provide hands-on labs and projects that simulate real-world scenarios, allowing you to apply what you've learned immediately. By dedicating a few hours each week to online education, you can build a strong foundation and expand your skill set at your own pace.

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Daniel Girard
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Il faut savoir que les cours en ligne n'ont pas aisément la profondeur d'un cours magistral avec enseignant disponible en personne. Ça change beaucoup la dynamique d'aprentissage. Pour avoir enseigné à distance quelques années, cela encourage aussi le laxisme, qui est un piège à éviter. En étant au courant de ces faits, il devient plus facile de demeurer optimal.

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Tanaka Bere

Security Engineer | CyberSecurity Analyst | CompTia Security+| Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) ISC2
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I have always advised a lot of my juniour colleagues to learn using Vendor Certificates. I am a top fan of @IBM video tutorials they explain everything in the most clearer way.By also joining rss feeds helps in keeping up to date with latest technologies

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Pablo Fernando Pedro F.

Administrador de Sistemas IT, Ciberseguridad e Infraestructura
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Las telecomunicaciones han facilitado cursos en línea, sincrónicos y asíncronos, permitiendo flexibilidad horaria y acceso a capacitación para aplicar en el trabajo o vida diaria. En administración de sistemas, actualizamos y especializamos en plataformas digitales, con prácticas y pruebas. Los cursos en línea eliminan barreras geográficas en informática, crucial para roles que requieren movilidad.

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Aziz Abushelikh

Information Technology Engineer @ Edw. C. Levy Co. | Information Technology Infrastructure
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Prioritize learning tools that are industry-standard for system monitoring, configuration management, and automation, such as Nagios, Ansible, or Puppet. Seek community and expert reviews to gauge reliability and support.

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Abdur Rashid

System Analysis & Security Management | System Administration | Cloud Computing & Architect | ITS Support Services | Strong leadership and Team management skills | Ex-UFL, Cant. Board BD.
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To keep up with the latest technologies and trends as a beginner in System Administration, regularly follow industry blogs and websites, join online communities like Reddit's r/sysadmin and Spiceworks, and take online courses from platforms such as Coursera and Udemy. Additionally, follow industry leaders on social media, attend webinars and conferences, subscribe to tech newsletters, and set up a home lab to experiment with new tools. Pursuing certifications like CompTIA Server+ or RHCSA and reading technical books can further deepen your knowledge. Also, the most important thing is to have a great desire to learn more and solve problems to become a good system administrator.

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2 Community Forums

Engaging with community forums is an excellent way to stay informed. In these online communities, you can ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from the experiences of seasoned professionals. Whether it's a specific issue with a server or a broad discussion about best practices in system security, you'll find valuable insights that can help you navigate the complexities of system administration. Plus, being an active member of these communities can help you build a professional network that's invaluable for career growth.

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E. A. Saah

100+ IT support services | Linux SysAdmin | 2X AWS certified | AI foundations | IT security-focused
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Online forums are your virtual mentor network! Actively participate, share knowledge, and ask thoughtful questions. Build relationships and expand your support system within these communities. Embrace continuous learning and stay updated on industry trends. This approach transforms online forums from a passive information source into a platform for professional growth and networking.

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Pablo Fernando Pedro F.

Administrador de Sistemas IT, Ciberseguridad e Infraestructura
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Intercambio de ideas y conocimientos, discusión y consenso, acercamiento de talentos y aprendices, todo es parte de los foros que nos permiten obtener rápidamente una respuesta a un problema que no podemos resolver por nuestra cuenta. La herramienta por excelencia para la implementación de nuevos proyectos.

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3 Tech Conferences

Attending tech conferences can be a game-changer for your career. These events are hubs where industry leaders share their knowledge on emerging technologies and future trends. While some conferences might be costly, many offer virtual attendance options or free resources post-event. By participating, you not only gain exposure to new ideas but also get the chance to connect with peers and experts who can provide guidance and mentorship as you grow in your role.

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Pham Ngoc Thanh

⚡️SAP Basis and Cloud Technology｜Strategic Planning｜IT Transformation｜Technology and Change Leadership | Database Optimization
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Tech conferences always provide value to technology professionals. If you think they are a waste of time, consider this: someone will invariably share new insights that you wouldn't have discovered on your own. Recently, there have been improvements in tech conferences where manufacturers collaborate to offer comprehensive value to attendees. Unlike the past, where single-brand conferences focused only on their products, current tech conferences integrate hardware and software products, backup solutions with storage devices, creating seamless business solutions. Cloud technology has replaced 90% of traditional technology and AI is almost always integrated into every solution.

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4 Podcasts and Blogs

Listening to podcasts and reading blogs that focus on system administration can keep you informed during your commute or in your free time. These resources often feature interviews with industry experts and discussions on the latest news and advancements in technology. By regularly consuming this content, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the field and learn about new tools and methodologies that can enhance your work as a system administrator.

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5 Vendor Certifications

Pursuing vendor-specific certifications is another effective strategy. These certifications validate your expertise with particular technologies and are highly regarded in the industry. They require you to stay current with the vendor's latest offerings, ensuring that your knowledge doesn't become outdated. While studying for these certifications, you'll learn best practices and gain hands-on experience that can be directly applied to managing and optimizing your organization's systems.

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Pablo Fernando Pedro F.

Administrador de Sistemas IT, Ciberseguridad e Infraestructura
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La certificación valida habilidades según estándares, fomenta la formación continua y la integración en comunidades globales de expertos. No tener certificación no implica falta de conocimientos; las barreras como idiomas o costos pueden limitar el acceso. Al contratar, las empresas deben considerar tanto certificados como talentos sin certificar, ofreciendo oportunidades de desarrollo para ambos grupos.

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6 Personal Projects

Finally, undertaking personal projects can solidify your learning and give you practical experience. Set up a home lab or use cloud services to experiment with new operating systems, software, and tools. This self-directed approach allows you to troubleshoot problems, test out configurations, and understand the intricacies of system administration in a low-stakes environment. It's also a great way to demonstrate your initiative and problem-solving skills to potential employers.

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Tim Anderson

Experienced Senior IT Leader - Tech and People Enthusiast
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If you are just beginning and looking to work as a System Admin of sort (or devops) I cannot recommend enough to setup a homelab or virtual homelab. Build out various solutions, learn the beginnings of the current platforms by experiencing what they actually can offer (vs what a marketing sheet claims it can do).

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Alexander Dewolf

Senior Linux Engineer | Empowering Businesses with Scalable, Secure & Robust Systems
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Sign up for daily tech newsletters. Look for things going on for home labs on YouTube. Build a home lab with 3 or more systems and learn about infrastructure as code, high availability and clustering. Proxmox is a good place to start

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Here's how you can keep up with the latest technologies and trends as a beginner in System Administration.

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Online Courses

2 Community Forums

3 Tech Conferences

4 Podcasts and Blogs

5 Vendor Certifications

6 Personal Projects

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Administration

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Here's how you can keep up with the latest technologies and trends as a beginner in System Administration.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Online Courses

2 Community Forums

3 Tech Conferences

4 Podcasts and Blogs

5 Vendor Certifications

6 Personal Projects

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Administration

Rate this article

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