Windows or Linux training for starters?

[Urganny]

I am looking to kick start a career in IT and have been asking around for info.
I have thus been advised to complete a Linux Administrator course 1st (instead of a Microsoft certification) as there is more scope with bigger companies and more demand.
Would your guys agree with such a view?

 

[Conradl]

Tricky one. I do not think you should do Linux because you believe that there is more demand and scope with bigger companies - some pretty large companies only run MS. You should think about where you want your career to go.

Microsoft courses are great because they offer a lot of basic IT knowledge that the more niche courses may not offer (because they are niche/advanced and expect people to have a certain amount of IT skills).

Specifics aside, try to cast your net as wide as possible at the beginning. Do a few basic MS, linux and networking exams. You have plenty time to specialise when you decide which direction you want to go into.

 

[Peon]

Well, before you go into a field. How much experience in IT do you currently have and what is your proficiency?

 

[Urganny]

@ Peon: Well, I currently have no experience working anywhere in the IT industry, except a keen interest in the field.

 

[Urganny]

@ Conradl: Yeah I do intend starting exactly how you mentioned.
Can you recommend any good/well priced training MS training institutes in JHB?

 

[Conradl]

No. There is not one company that I could think of for cheap/good training for a private individual. Most are expensive and cater for corporates with money to burn. My advice is to buy the books, set up labs and learn yourself....

 

[Nod]

For Linux, this manual is a very good starting point: http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz
The index is too big to post here