Is learning Unix worth it?


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Top Forums UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers Is learning Unix worth it?
# 1  
Old 03-24-2004
Question Is learning Unix worth it?

Hello. I am a comp sci major and am forced to take a intro to Unix class. So far i am loving it. I was wondering is it useful to learn more off on my own? Will it have any use to me when i get a job after school is done? Same applies to Perl Sed and Awk?
# 2  
Old 03-24-2004
Yes. Learn all you can about all of the above. If you go into system administration you'll need all of them. If you go into programming it will be useful and give you an advantage even if it isn't quite as important. And finally if you stick with academics those are fundamental tools that you outta know even if you don't use them all the time.

As far as getting a job goes, since I became a Unix admin I've been laid off 3 times. The longest I was ever out of work - eight days. Unix is still a much more sought after skill than programming or Windows as far as I can tell, since friends and co-workers in those fields have a much worse time finding a job.

I'm sure I've had my share of luck too as I know some Unix people have it a lot worse than that. But the point it, as far as computer jobs go Unix seems to be relatively the best for getting and keeping jobs.

By the way - far more important than *any* computer skill when it comes to getting jobs is your people skills. I've been involved with interviewing and hiring several times, and while technical skills matter the people skills outweigh them. The reason is, for any position you apply for there will be several people technically qualified enough to do the job. So put yourselves in the interviewers shoes - out of these several candidates who are all good enough technically which will you want to hire? Obviously the one that will fit in with your team best and you think will be most pleasant to work with has a huge advantage over the guy that knows a bit more technical stuff but is lacking in people skills.
# 3  
Old 03-24-2004
it can never hurt to learn as much as your interest is peaked, since you are still a student.

remember its best to have a taste of everything.

(the same goes for the good ol love life)
# 4  
Old 03-28-2004
Well, it is worth it in many ways. First, if you know Unix, you can understand many other operating systems since Unix seems to be comming back as the base of most operating syatems (OSX for example) and secondly, many jobs use Unix on their servers. Also, it is fun knowing stuff most people never heard of Smilie
# 5  
Old 03-30-2004
Quote:
far more important than *any* computer skill when it comes to getting jobs is your people skills
This is SO true. I just wanted to acknowledge this very important advice. Technical skills are very important, but you have to be able to work with other people and be a good communicator.
# 6  
Old 03-30-2004
it sure is!

I have learnt so much over the last 23 weeks and I am a self taught unix user no school or such, just books and pure usage. I am trying to create a virtual datbse from the basics of unix and that is my project for the next 23weeks and after.. i have picked up on so much logic and how to use my mind to create and use scripts and programs as simple as they are right now. but for a newbie after only 6months I know that I can get a good job dataprocessing.. also I am after a certificate which is a highly looked at matter in the IS and IT world and I have heard is a good career and a money maker.. and lastly I know that the basics of most languages go back to the time when C was created to create unix which is a basic advantage to nearly all the languages out there.. if i had not learnt some of the principles of unix i would not understand anytyhing in the c programming book that I am reading or the basic PHP tutorials that I am looking through in my spare time... for ex,. printf, int, scanf, double etc etc.. hope this answers your question.! Smilie
 
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

9 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Learning UNIX

Hi Everyone, I know nothing about Solaris / Linux / AIX but I know they are all part of Unix. I have been using Windows the last 15years and I have been a LAN admin, I am now working in IT Operations and we use some solaris commands but not much plus its from following a document so we can't... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: maxie
1 Replies

2. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

learning unix

Hi, i have started to learn unix (on and off for the past few months) and am wishing to move into that area in the administration field of it. I have been working in the help desk area (desktop support - windows based) for about 2.5 years and moved into a team leading role for 1 year in which i... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: donnieDarko
1 Replies

3. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Learning Unix

Hi all, and thanks for viewing this thread. I have never used the terminal (UNIX) before, not until I read an introductory book about it: Unix for Mac OS X Tiger. Now I've become intrigued, and I want to uncover more of the mysteries of Unix. I've searched and searched, but there are many books... (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: Hin
5 Replies

4. What is on Your Mind?

Learning UNIX

Alright I am looking to further my knowledge and experiance with computers (Currently a PC technician but not much knowledge with other operating systems like unix/linux). What im trying to do now is get a basic understanding of unix and its commands, unix shells, the unix directory structure, and... (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: Rycon
5 Replies

5. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Learning UNIX

Hi guys! Am new to this forum so would like to say hello to all. Was wondering, what the best way to learn UNIX was? Theoretically or Practically? Cheers (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: bibah11
2 Replies

6. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Is Unix Worth it?

I have been wanting to get much deaper into the world of computers for quite some time. I know a lot of c++, and plenty of website programming, and decided that the next step should be Unix. But here's the thing - I know nothing about Unix. I installed it and everything, but it just seemed like... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: GuyWithAPen
3 Replies

7. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

where to obtain UNIX and learning on a UNIX variant?

Hi. I've just started to get into UNIX. Researched on the Net, found out that most of the UNIX variants are not offered online. 1. Any of you guys know where I could obtain them on the Net? or anywhere at all? 2. Does learning a UNIX variant enough to cover an understanding of other UNIX... (6 Replies)
Discussion started by: ninelives1980
6 Replies

8. Shell Programming and Scripting

Java - is it worth learning?

I have the opportunituy of learning basics/intermediate jave for 600 Euro. Is this worth learning?? (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: frustrated1
4 Replies

9. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Learning Unix

Hello one and all I am a Prof in a University in France and have been handed the "Unix" course and would like to know if anyone has a ready made course to propose to me for beginners, my students are in t heir first year and a few are ok with Unix, however i would like to find a detailed "lesson... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: garydavies
1 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question