With a "useless" degree in journalism, I got a crummy job doing inbound sales at a large call center. While reciting my mindless sales scripts, I read every computer book I could get my hands on and "explored" the internal network. When I finally got fired (couldn't take it anymore), I made a resume that consisted of a list of the books I had read, and that got me a job as a computer operator. Two years of that and then I got my current job, administering badass IRIX systems at a satelite ground station.
Too old?
Well how long are you going to live? Most people have to work after age 65. Many retirees end up going back to work out of bordeom, etc. Considering the amount of years you will have to work, wouldn't you rather spend the time doing what you love?
I could give you numerous examples of people who came to their calling later in life. People who became doctors, composers, etc., but listing them would bloat this response. I think when people are too old, that means they don't feel like starting over, accepting lower pay or subordinant status, etc., they want to play it safe.
Value of degree
A degree in CS is good to have, but I have been appalled by how many CS grads I meet who know almost nothing about Unix, not even a historical overview. Still, I think a degree is largely what you make of it, so a person who loves the subject will probably be better than someone who coasts through just because CS is a degree that will get them a job. My boss has a history degree, my predecessor has a chemistry degree, most of the other computer operators from my first tech job had no degree at all and many have become Unix or NT admins.
Passion for what you do
This is, I think, my edge over many of my peers. I have what is to me almost a dream job, but many of my peers got into computers because it was a good job, others just aren't working in the right area of the field, they don't love what they do. Look how many of these comments express that sentiment. Passion for what you do is hard to put on a resume, but it definitely counts as far as real world results are concerned.
Value of certification
Some here have downplayed the value of certification, saying that what really counts is being able to work in the real world. That's technically true, but for someone with no CS degree and little professional experience, a certification can lend credibility to the skills you claim.
There are tons of MCSE's out there, and you can find training courses for the program all over the place, but there is a real lack of good training for Unix, so a Unix certification may be worth more than some other certitifcations. Comptia now has a Linux+ certification, and there are a few other certs out there, all of which should be atainable for someone willing to work with a few study guides. I wouldn't suggest getting more than a one or two, though.
Adapt existing skills
Figure out how to use your non-tech skills. With a journalism degree, I am able to write and communicate better than most of my peers. These types of skills are helpful in getting your job and succeeding in it(people often think admins don't do anything because they don't see most of the work, and don't understand what they do see. I made the mistake of concentrating ONLY on technical competence for the first years of my career: management failed to recognize my capabilities because I didn't communicate them.
Get some experience
You could start with a lower pay, junior level position. There are also some creative ways to get experience. Become a computer consultant (this might become profitable, but certainly you can get some experience, especially if you are cheap). Teach some beginner classes in Linux (parhaps for free at a local library). Maybe even contact a local training center about teaching some courses(especially if you have a certification). Write an article or book. And finally, host your own Unix based website, effectively making yourself a Unix Admin (on a small scale). Add as many administrative needs to the site as you can (database, user accounts, etc.) so as to get more types of admin experience. Or do the ulimate and create (or help create) something that lots of people will use, like a useful utility.
Rather than understanding or the ability to look things up, certification tests often require regurgitation of facts. Here are my suggestions for ROUTE memorization:
1) Physiological: Get proper sleep diet and lifestyle as much as possible. Makes everything else easier. Drink plenty of water.
2) Mnemonics: I still remember mnemonics I used for things years ago, can't even recite the alphabet without hearing the alphabet song from kindergarten! To remember 802.x standard numbers for Network+ I used 802.3 = "Threethernet" (ethernet), 802.5 = "Five TOKEN RING" sung to 12 days of Christmas, etc... It's easy to see that the numbers in this example are arbitrary and have no "understanding based" way of associating to the subjects to which they correspond, which is why mnemonics are so helpful here. Making mnemonics funny, dirty or otherwise memorable will help you remember them.
3) Primacy/Recency effect: Study in short bursts, periodically interrupt your study for breaks. This is because you recall better what you studied at the beginning and end of your sessions.
4) Repetition: Use flashcards or software (I wrote my own) to drill on those things that are particulary hard to memorize. Actually making your own questions is harder than learning them once they are made, but this is good because...
5) Study actively: You will remember things better if you take your own notes. Write things down, ask questions, note down anything you don't know. Recite things outloud. Invloving sight(reading), touch(writing) and sound(reciting) increases your "neurological involvement" with the subject matter, which makes a huge difference in your ability to recall.
I can also recomend:
Audiowhiz makes cd's for specific tests. Listen during your commute. Their site seems to be down now, but do a search and you'll find them from other vendors.
A book called "The Einstein Factor" by Win Wenger, Richard Poe. Offers a bunch of novel, creative techniques, not just the same old junk that most memory books regurgitate. I can't guarantee all these will work for you (especially Photoreading), but they are worth a try.
also see nomis80's post which is dead on.
-"No, I don't want any pot. Can you score me some smart drugs?"
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With a "useless" degree in journalism, I got a crummy job doing inbound sales at a large call center. While reciting my mindless sales scripts, I read every computer book I could get my hands on and "explored" the internal network. When I finally got fired (couldn't take it anymore), I made a resume that consisted of a list of the books I had read, and that got me a job as a computer operator. Two years of that and then I got my current job, administering badass IRIX systems at a satelite ground station.
Too old?
Well how long are you going to live? Most people have to work after age 65. Many retirees end up going back to work out of bordeom, etc. Considering the amount of years you will have to work, wouldn't you rather spend the time doing what you love?
I could give you numerous examples of people who came to their calling later in life. People who became doctors, composers, etc., but listing them would bloat this response. I think when people are too old, that means they don't feel like starting over, accepting lower pay or subordinant status, etc., they want to play it safe.
Value of degree
A degree in CS is good to have, but I have been appalled by how many CS grads I meet who know almost nothing about Unix, not even a historical overview. Still, I think a degree is largely what you make of it, so a person who loves the subject will probably be better than someone who coasts through just because CS is a degree that will get them a job. My boss has a history degree, my predecessor has a chemistry degree, most of the other computer operators from my first tech job had no degree at all and many have become Unix or NT admins.
Passion for what you do
This is, I think, my edge over many of my peers. I have what is to me almost a dream job, but many of my peers got into computers because it was a good job, others just aren't working in the right area of the field, they don't love what they do. Look how many of these comments express that sentiment. Passion for what you do is hard to put on a resume, but it definitely counts as far as real world results are concerned.
Value of certification
Some here have downplayed the value of certification, saying that what really counts is being able to work in the real world. That's technically true, but for someone with no CS degree and little professional experience, a certification can lend credibility to the skills you claim.
There are tons of MCSE's out there, and you can find training courses for the program all over the place, but there is a real lack of good training for Unix, so a Unix certification may be worth more than some other certitifcations. Comptia now has a Linux+ certification, and there are a few other certs out there, all of which should be atainable for someone willing to work with a few study guides. I wouldn't suggest getting more than a one or two, though.
Adapt existing skills
Figure out how to use your non-tech skills. With a journalism degree, I am able to write and communicate better than most of my peers. These types of skills are helpful in getting your job and succeeding in it(people often think admins don't do anything because they don't see most of the work, and don't understand what they do see. I made the mistake of concentrating ONLY on technical competence for the first years of my career: management failed to recognize my capabilities because I didn't communicate them.
Get some experience
You could start with a lower pay, junior level position. There are also some creative ways to get experience. Become a computer consultant (this might become profitable, but certainly you can get some experience, especially if you are cheap). Teach some beginner classes in Linux (parhaps for free at a local library). Maybe even contact a local training center about teaching some courses(especially if you have a certification). Write an article or book. And finally, host your own Unix based website, effectively making yourself a Unix Admin (on a small scale). Add as many administrative needs to the site as you can (database, user accounts, etc.) so as to get more types of admin experience. Or do the ulimate and create (or help create) something that lots of people will use, like a useful utility.
Finally, make friends with other Unix lovers.
Rather than understanding or the ability to look things up, certification tests often require regurgitation of facts. Here are my suggestions for ROUTE memorization:
1) Physiological: Get proper sleep diet and lifestyle as much as possible. Makes everything else easier. Drink plenty of water.
2) Mnemonics: I still remember mnemonics I used for things years ago, can't even recite the alphabet without hearing the alphabet song from kindergarten! To remember 802.x standard numbers for Network+ I used 802.3 = "Threethernet" (ethernet), 802.5 = "Five TOKEN RING" sung to 12 days of Christmas, etc... It's easy to see that the numbers in this example are arbitrary and have no "understanding based" way of associating to the subjects to which they correspond, which is why mnemonics are so helpful here. Making mnemonics funny, dirty or otherwise memorable will help you remember them.
3) Primacy/Recency effect: Study in short bursts, periodically interrupt your study for breaks. This is because you recall better what you studied at the beginning and end of your sessions.
4) Repetition: Use flashcards or software (I wrote my own) to drill on those things that are particulary hard to memorize. Actually making your own questions is harder than learning them once they are made, but this is good because...
5) Study actively: You will remember things better if you take your own notes. Write things down, ask questions, note down anything you don't know. Recite things outloud. Invloving sight(reading), touch(writing) and sound(reciting) increases your "neurological involvement" with the subject matter, which makes a huge difference in your ability to recall.
I can also recomend:
Audiowhiz makes cd's for specific tests. Listen during your commute. Their site seems to be down now, but do a search and you'll find them from other vendors.
A book called "The Einstein Factor" by Win Wenger, Richard Poe. Offers a bunch of novel, creative techniques, not just the same old junk that most memory books regurgitate. I can't guarantee all these will work for you (especially Photoreading), but they are worth a try.
also see nomis80's post which is dead on.
-"No, I don't want any pot. Can you score me some smart drugs?"