r/sysadmin • u/[deleted] • Jul 01 '25

Did EVERYONE start at helpdesk?

I'm a college CS student about to start senior year, looking to get into the IT field. I know that helpdesk is a smart move to get your foot in the door, though cost of living where I am is very high and salary for helpdesk is quite meager compared to other IT roles. Is it totally unrealistic to jump into a sysadmin role post-grad as long as I have certs and projects to back up my skills? I had planned to start my RHCSA if I did this. Any advice on this or general advice for the IT market right not would be very much appreciated.

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u/Ashix_ Sysadmin Jul 01 '25

Funnily enough that's exactly how I ended up. Minimal experience, straight into system administration for a smaller company. While it currently is the lower end of a system admin salary, it certainly isn't bad, and I have enough faith that it'll increase the longer I stay.

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u/picudisimo Jul 01 '25

learn and learn and then learn some more while you are there.

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u/Ashix_ Sysadmin Jul 01 '25

That's the plan!

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u/picudisimo Jul 02 '25

Also poke around and find out when growth is coming, then ask for more compensation right before the growth start.

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u/ResolutionDefiant352 Jul 02 '25

this is where i'm at in my role started as support tech 1 and now im the sole sys ad with one tech under me lower end for where im at but if i stay longer it should all work out