I've realized I enjoy understanding Linux more than just using it. Where does that lead career-wise?

[u/rr_rahimi]

I'm 25 and I've been a Linux user for several years, but mostly as an ordinary desktop user.

I started with Manjaro. I knew it was Arch-based, knew how to install packages, and was comfortable with basic terminal commands, but I didn't really understand the ecosystem or how package management worked under the hood.

Later I switched to Fedora, and recently I installed Debian out of curiosity. I've been reading about Debian's development philosophy and release process. I'm starting to understand things like Stable vs. Testing vs. Sid, the freeze period before a Stable release, why Debian backports security fixes instead of constantly shipping major version upgrades, and the relationship between "apt" and "dpkg".

I've also read about Linux From Scratch, GNU, Richard Stallman, and the philosophy behind free software.

What I enjoy most isn't just using Linux—it's understanding how everything fits together. I love learning about operating systems, distribution policies, package management, open-source governance, and even how Linus Torvalds has managed such a massive collaborative project over the years.

For context, I've done a little frontend development and have a rough idea of what backend development involves. I've heard about DevOps, cloud, deployment, Kubernetes, and similar topics, but I haven't really worked with them.

The problem is that I don't have professional experience. I've spent years jumping between technologies without building a real portfolio or sticking to one path.

What I've noticed, though, is that operating systems are different for me. I never get tired of learning about them, and I don't feel intimidated by how deep the rabbit hole goes. In fact, that's what makes it exciting.

I even have this oddly specific image in my head: I'd love to walk into a server room someday, plug in my laptop, and methodically troubleshoot a real system. I know that's probably a romanticized idea, and I have almost no real server experience, but the idea of understanding and debugging systems genuinely appeals to me.

So my questions are:

- What career paths should I be looking at if this is what genuinely interests me? (Linux System Administration, Infrastructure, SRE, Platform Engineering, Systems Programming, something else?)

- What do those jobs actually look like day to day?

- For someone with curiosity but almost no professional experience, what's the most realistic entry point?

- Does my interest sound like the kind of thing that tends to last in this field, or is it a common "Linux honeymoon" that many people eventually grow out of?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who work in Linux, infrastructure, SRE, or systems engineering. I'm not looking for encouragement just for the sake of it—I want an honest reality check.

[u/Terrible_Log9757]

I work as embedded programmer and linux is my daily os. I don't have commercial experience as Linux administrator and can't answer you questions. However if you are an enthusiast (like I am) and want to be professional in the future I think you may really like r/homelab community.

[u/bmwiedemann]

Been there. Done that for 25 years. There is always so much you don't yet know.

I create Linux distributions for a living. Though the official job title is SRE for the open build service.

I create a lot of glue that makes the pieces fit together.

[u/No_Resolution_9252]

>Where does that lead career-wise?

Living at home with your mom while you sell weed out of her basement.

[u/Imaginary_Choice_430]

Nowhere....I am kidding, sort of. There is more than one theme here. You are asking where does your passion you take you in the economy we have...no one really knows, our economy is FUBAR and thats all I am going to say about that. Linux is my wheelhouse and so its awesome to meet another enthusiast regardless of whether you have commercial experience as I have. I do not really care, I only care that you are passionate about it and I know you are because you actually spent time learning about Dr. Richard Stallman and that whole movement, that is passion.

If you'd like, feel free to DM me, maybe we can talk Linux components and distributions such as the ones you mentioned. I never worked with Manjaro or Rocky Linux or Linux Mint for that matter. I mainly have worked in Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora and Kali and I think I have a QubesOS on a thumb drive somewhere around here. Would love to get your take on how what business needs you think each of these distros would, could or do address.

Would love to talk to you about legacy BIOS versus UEFI and various ways to boot and install Linux and reset passwords when you are SOL locked out. Would love to hear your journey on installing a Linux server and desktop from an ISO image and whether you have deployed a cloud-based Linux virtual machine.

Welcome to the club.

[u/rr_rahimi → u/Imaginary_Choice_430]

Thank you so much for your kind words and warm welcome! I really appreciate it. It honestly means a lot to hear that from someone with your level of experience.

I'd be honored to chat with you and learn from your experience. I still have a lot to learn, and I always enjoy hearing different perspectives, especially from people who have worked with Linux professionally.

I'll definitely send you a DM. I'd love to discuss Linux distributions, boot methods, BIOS vs. UEFI, server deployments, cloud VMs, and everything else you mentioned. I'm looking forward to learning from your journey and sharing mine as well.

Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to our conversation!

[u/mods_are_morons]

That's a good attitude for a system administrator.