[linuxjobs] Help Needed!

[Jonathan Davis]

Hello,

Hope this isn't too off-topic! What I'm looking for really isn't a job
as much as advice on how to get into Linux system admin, and I thought
here might be a good place to ask!

I'm currently aged 21 and have been working within local government
for 3 ½ years. My current role is phone support along with planning
and remote deployment of applications and upgrades for different
specialised applications. I'm really looking to get out of this area
and move into System Administration, ideally being Linux, but I
suppose anything is a start!

I have only been using Linux full-time for around 18 months but feel I
have picked things up fast, I currently run a high traffic nostalgia
website (along with several other sites) which I have moved onto a
rented Debian box which I built and manage. Everything I own now uses
Linux, PC's, Laptop's, Media Centre's etc, so I feel that Linux is a
good career move for me!

I have 2 MCP's in XP and Server 2003 along with 8 years of M$ Windows
Knowledge, a Comptia Network+ and I am currently studying for my
Linux+ in an effort to prove that I have some useful knowledge in this
area.

I have plenty of experience in installing and configuring Linux apps
and have 5+ years of experience of Website management and some general
knowledge of scripting (HTML, Bash, VB, Batch, SQL, PHP, and ASP). I
also now have good knowledge of the LAMP stack and associated
applications.

I am a member of my Local LUG and have presented a talk there. I am
also a member of the UKUUG and attended Linux/OSS related conferences.

I'm looking for a Junior Linux SysAdmin job which would allow me to
further develop my existing skills in a role that would be more
exciting and challenging to me!

What I really need now is advice, what qualifications to obtain, where
to look for appropriate jobs, and what I should expect from this kind
of work?

Any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated!

thanks,
-- 
Jonathan - http://www.jonathandavis.me.uk