How to develop professionally as a linux administrator?

Question

linux

In general, I already have about 2 years of experience as an administrator and gradually I understand that my professional development is not going at the pace that I want.
Many things are difficult for me to understand due to the lack of a theoretical basis for a quick "entry" into the detailed work of any software or protocol, and the desire to acquire this knowledge is less and less every year.
It so happened that I did not begin to get a higher education, because I tried to start working as soon as possible and get paid for it, and limited myself to only a secondary professional in the specialty: Computers, systems and networks.
In general, the question is - how can you expand your horizons in the field of information technology (in particular, the administration of Unix / Linux servers, networks)?
There are many courses and universities with specialties - but it is not clear whether they have practical value or they just teach you to "poke the mouse."
I would give preference to higher education - but I could not find a specialty with a clear bias in what I need.
Interested in any advice for continuing education.

Answer 1

You first need to choose the direction in which to develop. The linux world is quite large, there are many specializations, for example, dba, web-admin, support for a certain virtualization system (for example, vmware), mail, etc.
Secondly, practice is needed. This is probably the most important. What you learn in theory without application is forgotten very quickly, whether it be any courses or self-study. Of course, it's easier to remember later, but it's not the same. Therefore, apparently you need to find a job where you can apply (and ideally develop) this knowledge and skills. Here we must also understand that in practice the most important thing is invaluable experience. Without experience, many things can take you a long time to set up and even more time to troubleshoot. You can't gain experience without practice.
Thirdly, look at vacancies. Not necessarily your city. See the specializations that you like. And already according to these requirements, try to fill in the gaps in your knowledge. Often, large companies have laid out some tests for applicants right away, try to pass them.

Answer 2

Looking for a magic wand?
Sit and understand, the documentation is full, read. Don't take on the hard stuff right away. If something is not clear, start with the basics, put it into practice, assemble test benches, practice. With advanced training, additional opportunities will open up - for example, changing jobs.
Full of courses, if there is no money to study at your own expense - try at the expense of the employer, no - resources such as a warehouse or torrents. Divide the system into components and break them down into components.
Subscribe to interesting Linux IT blogs and blogs from vendors like IBM and RH. Read the same habra.
Read the resume of the person you would like to be.
Contribute to the development of the Linux community. Improve products...
How can you even ask such questions? Everything is very obvious. All you need is desire and interest.

Answer 3

If you need knowledge and not the crust of a fashionable university, for starters, I advise you to pass
CCNA and RHCSA certificates (you can still immediately RHCE) not because of a piece of paper, but they will give a good basis for further determining where to go.

Answer 4

You can find good free courses on coursera or edx

Answer 5

nonsense telling
google gives the best education in the world
can’t enter read more
there are complex technologies that simply cannot be entered in a day or a week

Answer 6

First. It seems to me that you should look at what certification programs exist and try to gain knowledge on those topics that will theoretically allow you to pass them. Of course, for real certification, you should keep in mind a lot of side things, but for you this is not relevant yet, as I think, the main thing is to make a selection of them according to the set of affected technologies, software, etc.
And the second. Read resumes and descriptions of open vacancies in the profession you are interested in (or a certain direction of it) and write out what is found in every second or even every first list of requirements.
Third. It goes without saying that it is better to learn by doing. If you don’t like stands (for example, they don’t suit me at all because they are always out of touch with life), then try signing up for some open project where volunteers perform various tasks for free (it’s more like programming) and help them while studying the technology you need; try doing tasks as a freelancer; try to get a second job as a weekend admin or an incoming admin, in a small office, where you can slowly study and put into practice the acquired knowledge.