how to get hands-on experience of desktop support or system admining while not working in IT [closed]

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I am looking to get a desktop support or system admin job through self-study, I can only use my spare time to do my study as I am a full-time worker . Currently studying Windows Server 2012, after set up my own lab, I’ve practised how to add new roles, deploy users and computers in domain environment, apply group policies, DNS, DHCP, etc. But I am kind of stuck in the same place, I don’t know how to get myself into a higher level. I realise practise is a good way to learn, but how? I mean studying server is not like learning a programming language; you can write codes or start a project to improve your programming skills, but how to “code” while studying server administration?

career-switch

share|improve this question

asked Aug 19 '14 at 8:02

Xunzi

141

closed as off-topic by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Aug 21 '14 at 9:34

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You could volunteer on your free time in an organization that requires those types of skill.
  – David S.
  Aug 19 '14 at 8:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @karthikbharadwaj I think OP knows how to learn programming already (based on question) but wants to know an approach to learn non-programming aspects of system administration
  – Brandin
  Aug 19 '14 at 9:58
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Apply for junior positions or a lower role to gain experience, such as service desk.
  – James
  Aug 19 '14 at 12:45
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Have you considered certification?
  – user8365
  Aug 19 '14 at 13:07
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Since you mention you already set up a home lab, you could conceivably visit serverfault.com and either explore answering questions involving the software you're studying or read through involved answers and "follow along" with your lab machine to see how the answers play out to interesting questions.
  – Joel Etherton
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:27
  
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I am looking to get a desktop support or system admin job through self-study, I can only use my spare time to do my study as I am a full-time worker . Currently studying Windows Server 2012, after set up my own lab, I’ve practised how to add new roles, deploy users and computers in domain environment, apply group policies, DNS, DHCP, etc. But I am kind of stuck in the same place, I don’t know how to get myself into a higher level. I realise practise is a good way to learn, but how? I mean studying server is not like learning a programming language; you can write codes or start a project to improve your programming skills, but how to “code” while studying server administration?

career-switch

share|improve this question

asked Aug 19 '14 at 8:02

Xunzi

141

closed as off-topic by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Aug 21 '14 at 9:34

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You could volunteer on your free time in an organization that requires those types of skill.
  – David S.
  Aug 19 '14 at 8:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @karthikbharadwaj I think OP knows how to learn programming already (based on question) but wants to know an approach to learn non-programming aspects of system administration
  – Brandin
  Aug 19 '14 at 9:58
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Apply for junior positions or a lower role to gain experience, such as service desk.
  – James
  Aug 19 '14 at 12:45
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Have you considered certification?
  – user8365
  Aug 19 '14 at 13:07
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Since you mention you already set up a home lab, you could conceivably visit serverfault.com and either explore answering questions involving the software you're studying or read through involved answers and "follow along" with your lab machine to see how the answers play out to interesting questions.
  – Joel Etherton
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:27
  
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I am looking to get a desktop support or system admin job through self-study, I can only use my spare time to do my study as I am a full-time worker . Currently studying Windows Server 2012, after set up my own lab, I’ve practised how to add new roles, deploy users and computers in domain environment, apply group policies, DNS, DHCP, etc. But I am kind of stuck in the same place, I don’t know how to get myself into a higher level. I realise practise is a good way to learn, but how? I mean studying server is not like learning a programming language; you can write codes or start a project to improve your programming skills, but how to “code” while studying server administration?

career-switch

share|improve this question

asked Aug 19 '14 at 8:02

Xunzi

141

I am looking to get a desktop support or system admin job through self-study, I can only use my spare time to do my study as I am a full-time worker . Currently studying Windows Server 2012, after set up my own lab, I’ve practised how to add new roles, deploy users and computers in domain environment, apply group policies, DNS, DHCP, etc. But I am kind of stuck in the same place, I don’t know how to get myself into a higher level. I realise practise is a good way to learn, but how? I mean studying server is not like learning a programming language; you can write codes or start a project to improve your programming skills, but how to “code” while studying server administration?

career-switch

share|improve this question

asked Aug 19 '14 at 8:02

Xunzi

141

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

asked Aug 19 '14 at 8:02

Xunzi

141

asked Aug 19 '14 at 8:02

Xunzi

141

asked Aug 19 '14 at 8:02

Xunzi

141

141

closed as off-topic by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Aug 21 '14 at 9:34

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

closed as off-topic by gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey Aug 21 '14 at 9:34

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – IDrinkandIKnowThings, Jim G., Garrison Neely, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You could volunteer on your free time in an organization that requires those types of skill.
  – David S.
  Aug 19 '14 at 8:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @karthikbharadwaj I think OP knows how to learn programming already (based on question) but wants to know an approach to learn non-programming aspects of system administration
  – Brandin
  Aug 19 '14 at 9:58
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Apply for junior positions or a lower role to gain experience, such as service desk.
  – James
  Aug 19 '14 at 12:45
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Have you considered certification?
  – user8365
  Aug 19 '14 at 13:07
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Since you mention you already set up a home lab, you could conceivably visit serverfault.com and either explore answering questions involving the software you're studying or read through involved answers and "follow along" with your lab machine to see how the answers play out to interesting questions.
  – Joel Etherton
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:27
  
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You could volunteer on your free time in an organization that requires those types of skill.
  – David S.
  Aug 19 '14 at 8:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @karthikbharadwaj I think OP knows how to learn programming already (based on question) but wants to know an approach to learn non-programming aspects of system administration
  – Brandin
  Aug 19 '14 at 9:58
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Apply for junior positions or a lower role to gain experience, such as service desk.
  – James
  Aug 19 '14 at 12:45
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Have you considered certification?
  – user8365
  Aug 19 '14 at 13:07
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Since you mention you already set up a home lab, you could conceivably visit serverfault.com and either explore answering questions involving the software you're studying or read through involved answers and "follow along" with your lab machine to see how the answers play out to interesting questions.
  – Joel Etherton
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:27
  
  

  
  
  
  

4

4

You could volunteer on your free time in an organization that requires those types of skill.
– David S.
Aug 19 '14 at 8:22

You could volunteer on your free time in an organization that requires those types of skill.
– David S.
Aug 19 '14 at 8:22

@karthikbharadwaj I think OP knows how to learn programming already (based on question) but wants to know an approach to learn non-programming aspects of system administration
– Brandin
Aug 19 '14 at 9:58

@karthikbharadwaj I think OP knows how to learn programming already (based on question) but wants to know an approach to learn non-programming aspects of system administration
– Brandin
Aug 19 '14 at 9:58

Apply for junior positions or a lower role to gain experience, such as service desk.
– James
Aug 19 '14 at 12:45

Apply for junior positions or a lower role to gain experience, such as service desk.
– James
Aug 19 '14 at 12:45

1

1

Have you considered certification?
– user8365
Aug 19 '14 at 13:07

Have you considered certification?
– user8365
Aug 19 '14 at 13:07

1

1

Since you mention you already set up a home lab, you could conceivably visit serverfault.com and either explore answering questions involving the software you're studying or read through involved answers and "follow along" with your lab machine to see how the answers play out to interesting questions.
– Joel Etherton
Aug 19 '14 at 20:27

Since you mention you already set up a home lab, you could conceivably visit serverfault.com and either explore answering questions involving the software you're studying or read through involved answers and "follow along" with your lab machine to see how the answers play out to interesting questions.
– Joel Etherton
Aug 19 '14 at 20:27

 | 
show 3 more comments

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

up vote
1
down vote

You could consider the following options to gain further experience:

1. Find some volunteering opportunities where you could apply your skills,


2. Consider a Microsoft Certification,


3. Take a class with labs at a community college,


4. Find a computer enthusiast club where you can meet with others as passionate as you are.

One or more of those options should let you experiment, further your skills in that area, and give you enough experience that you can list on your résumé.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It will also help with networking, particularly #1 and #4.
  – Dave Johnson
  Aug 19 '14 at 19:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks for your answer , and thanks to all those people who answered my questions and tried to help
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:29
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  1. I'm living in a small city, there aren't too much volunteering opportunities around. I've tried libraries and local community centre so far but no luck. 2. I'm taking server 2012 MCSA certification currently, passed the first exam but failed the second one twice, not sure how much "real stuff" I've learned or does it help get a job. 3. I've checked my local college, unfortunately the night class there doesn't cover any computer subject, but I don’t want to quit my job to take a day-time class. 4.Yes, I will definitely find a relevant club, if they have any in town.
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 22:13
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-2
down vote

Have you tried MOOCs (massive online open courses)?

www.mooc-list.com

www.coursera.org

You could study free courses in the subject and that would help you gain skills to get a job.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the OP is beyond this. He has done the training, he is looking for how to make that next step without the requisite experience
  – Bill Leeper
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
1
down vote

You could consider the following options to gain further experience:

1. Find some volunteering opportunities where you could apply your skills,


2. Consider a Microsoft Certification,


3. Take a class with labs at a community college,


4. Find a computer enthusiast club where you can meet with others as passionate as you are.

One or more of those options should let you experiment, further your skills in that area, and give you enough experience that you can list on your résumé.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It will also help with networking, particularly #1 and #4.
  – Dave Johnson
  Aug 19 '14 at 19:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks for your answer , and thanks to all those people who answered my questions and tried to help
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:29
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  1. I'm living in a small city, there aren't too much volunteering opportunities around. I've tried libraries and local community centre so far but no luck. 2. I'm taking server 2012 MCSA certification currently, passed the first exam but failed the second one twice, not sure how much "real stuff" I've learned or does it help get a job. 3. I've checked my local college, unfortunately the night class there doesn't cover any computer subject, but I don’t want to quit my job to take a day-time class. 4.Yes, I will definitely find a relevant club, if they have any in town.
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 22:13
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

You could consider the following options to gain further experience:

1. Find some volunteering opportunities where you could apply your skills,


2. Consider a Microsoft Certification,


3. Take a class with labs at a community college,


4. Find a computer enthusiast club where you can meet with others as passionate as you are.

One or more of those options should let you experiment, further your skills in that area, and give you enough experience that you can list on your résumé.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It will also help with networking, particularly #1 and #4.
  – Dave Johnson
  Aug 19 '14 at 19:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks for your answer , and thanks to all those people who answered my questions and tried to help
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:29
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  1. I'm living in a small city, there aren't too much volunteering opportunities around. I've tried libraries and local community centre so far but no luck. 2. I'm taking server 2012 MCSA certification currently, passed the first exam but failed the second one twice, not sure how much "real stuff" I've learned or does it help get a job. 3. I've checked my local college, unfortunately the night class there doesn't cover any computer subject, but I don’t want to quit my job to take a day-time class. 4.Yes, I will definitely find a relevant club, if they have any in town.
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 22:13
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

You could consider the following options to gain further experience:

1. Find some volunteering opportunities where you could apply your skills,


2. Consider a Microsoft Certification,


3. Take a class with labs at a community college,


4. Find a computer enthusiast club where you can meet with others as passionate as you are.

One or more of those options should let you experiment, further your skills in that area, and give you enough experience that you can list on your résumé.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

You could consider the following options to gain further experience:

1. Find some volunteering opportunities where you could apply your skills,


2. Consider a Microsoft Certification,


3. Take a class with labs at a community college,


4. Find a computer enthusiast club where you can meet with others as passionate as you are.

One or more of those options should let you experiment, further your skills in that area, and give you enough experience that you can list on your résumé.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

answered Aug 19 '14 at 19:49

David S.

3,9902441

3,9902441

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It will also help with networking, particularly #1 and #4.
  – Dave Johnson
  Aug 19 '14 at 19:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks for your answer , and thanks to all those people who answered my questions and tried to help
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:29
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  1. I'm living in a small city, there aren't too much volunteering opportunities around. I've tried libraries and local community centre so far but no luck. 2. I'm taking server 2012 MCSA certification currently, passed the first exam but failed the second one twice, not sure how much "real stuff" I've learned or does it help get a job. 3. I've checked my local college, unfortunately the night class there doesn't cover any computer subject, but I don’t want to quit my job to take a day-time class. 4.Yes, I will definitely find a relevant club, if they have any in town.
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 22:13
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It will also help with networking, particularly #1 and #4.
  – Dave Johnson
  Aug 19 '14 at 19:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks for your answer , and thanks to all those people who answered my questions and tried to help
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:29
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  1. I'm living in a small city, there aren't too much volunteering opportunities around. I've tried libraries and local community centre so far but no luck. 2. I'm taking server 2012 MCSA certification currently, passed the first exam but failed the second one twice, not sure how much "real stuff" I've learned or does it help get a job. 3. I've checked my local college, unfortunately the night class there doesn't cover any computer subject, but I don’t want to quit my job to take a day-time class. 4.Yes, I will definitely find a relevant club, if they have any in town.
  – Xunzi
  Aug 19 '14 at 22:13
  

  
  
  
  

It will also help with networking, particularly #1 and #4.
– Dave Johnson
Aug 19 '14 at 19:57

It will also help with networking, particularly #1 and #4.
– Dave Johnson
Aug 19 '14 at 19:57

Thanks for your answer , and thanks to all those people who answered my questions and tried to help
– Xunzi
Aug 19 '14 at 20:29

Thanks for your answer , and thanks to all those people who answered my questions and tried to help
– Xunzi
Aug 19 '14 at 20:29

1. I'm living in a small city, there aren't too much volunteering opportunities around. I've tried libraries and local community centre so far but no luck. 2. I'm taking server 2012 MCSA certification currently, passed the first exam but failed the second one twice, not sure how much "real stuff" I've learned or does it help get a job. 3. I've checked my local college, unfortunately the night class there doesn't cover any computer subject, but I don’t want to quit my job to take a day-time class. 4.Yes, I will definitely find a relevant club, if they have any in town.
– Xunzi
Aug 19 '14 at 22:13

1. I'm living in a small city, there aren't too much volunteering opportunities around. I've tried libraries and local community centre so far but no luck. 2. I'm taking server 2012 MCSA certification currently, passed the first exam but failed the second one twice, not sure how much "real stuff" I've learned or does it help get a job. 3. I've checked my local college, unfortunately the night class there doesn't cover any computer subject, but I don’t want to quit my job to take a day-time class. 4.Yes, I will definitely find a relevant club, if they have any in town.
– Xunzi
Aug 19 '14 at 22:13

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-2
down vote

Have you tried MOOCs (massive online open courses)?

www.mooc-list.com

www.coursera.org

You could study free courses in the subject and that would help you gain skills to get a job.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the OP is beyond this. He has done the training, he is looking for how to make that next step without the requisite experience
  – Bill Leeper
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-2
down vote

Have you tried MOOCs (massive online open courses)?

www.mooc-list.com

www.coursera.org

You could study free courses in the subject and that would help you gain skills to get a job.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the OP is beyond this. He has done the training, he is looking for how to make that next step without the requisite experience
  – Bill Leeper
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-2
down vote

up vote
-2
down vote

Have you tried MOOCs (massive online open courses)?

www.mooc-list.com

www.coursera.org

You could study free courses in the subject and that would help you gain skills to get a job.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

Have you tried MOOCs (massive online open courses)?

www.mooc-list.com

www.coursera.org

You could study free courses in the subject and that would help you gain skills to get a job.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

answered Aug 19 '14 at 8:36

Paul

33219

33219

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the OP is beyond this. He has done the training, he is looking for how to make that next step without the requisite experience
  – Bill Leeper
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the OP is beyond this. He has done the training, he is looking for how to make that next step without the requisite experience
  – Bill Leeper
  Aug 19 '14 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

I think the OP is beyond this. He has done the training, he is looking for how to make that next step without the requisite experience
– Bill Leeper
Aug 19 '14 at 20:02

I think the OP is beyond this. He has done the training, he is looking for how to make that next step without the requisite experience
– Bill Leeper
Aug 19 '14 at 20:02

suggest improvements |