Oh and I guess the EOL of Windows 10 will give you some work. Either you have to upgrade machines to Windows 11 or Linux and I guess you will be their hero if you use the tweaks to allow installation on older machines without the required TPM module (e.g. with winutil). Probably also good for you to learn all options someone has for the EOL of Windows 10, e.g. extended support etc. Just search on Youtube - there are some good videos (I think Explaining Computers has one).
Sounds like a great idea. Be sure you script things up. I have a script that I run after an OpenMandriva (or Arch) install that sets up the system exactly the way I want it. That script is many generations descended from a DOS script we used to use to set up new machines back in the early '90s. You want to get to the point where getting a new machine running is consistent, repeatable, and takes as little time as possible. I could always tell if we’d set up a machine or if somebody else had, by the way the command prompt looked or the tools pre-installed.
Develop your scripts, and test them thoroughly. Pretend your main server got fried and attempt to restore it on another machine from your most recent backup. That’s a Disaster Recovery test, and it will reveal any step you might have missed in your script or failed to document. Make those scripts and processes bullet-proof.
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If you are running a business providing such services, you should look into becoming a Datto partner. They are pretty much the most FOSS friendly commercial offering you are going to find. They also have one of the best “Time to Restore,” and ROI over many other products.
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(Note: UK context - we can be a lot less certificate-driven than in Europe)
I was made redundant last year (long story). Basically, I was told on Wednesday that Friday was my last day (nice 
).
At the end of the interview, the Software Director asked me to contact the IT Manager because the network engineer had handed his notice in on the Monday.
How did I get the job?
Definitely not qualifications. I’ve got a degree in Electronic Engineering but that doesn’t mean much.
The kicker was experience. When I’m interviewing, I pretty much don’t care about qualifications. I look for people who:
- have done the job, an adjacent job, or have performed some of the tasks involved.
- seem like they care and want do a good job of everything
- seem eager to learn new things about the job and want to be a better engineer
- seem like a tidy person
If you got yourself a CCNA, its main function for me would be to demonstrate number 3 - that you are determined to learn and improve.
In my case I could demonstrate a wide variety of experience that started back in 2012, such as:
- Active Directory (this is critical to get time on)
- Building/provisioning/maintaining physical servers
- Networks (I knew networks quite well, even though I’d never made a vlan. Once someone showed me the Cisco iOS commands, I was off to the races)
- Printers, both office and industrial
- Programming/scripting in bash, python and powershell
- The ability and will to learn and learn quickly
- Customer service
- Working at customer sites
- Bravery (seriously - do not underestimate the attractiveness of being able to carry on under horrible pressures)
- Use of multiple languages (German wife
). I’m not sure where in France you are but is there any reasonable chance of looking across a border? [Edit] I see you’re in Béziers - Spain might be on the cards but it’s not easy).
The more of those types of things you can hit, the better your chances.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. Hope this helps.
And as the Germans say, “I press to you the thumbs” (good luck)
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Personally, I think you’re putting on too many limitations. Do anything and everything - especially for the consumer and small biz market. You can always refuse (“I am too busy”) and/or refer out anything you don’t think you can handle - so get to know your “competition” too. Work and job leads can come from anywhere.
That lady you were chatting with in the market? Who just wants you to “fix her computer”? You don’t know who she knows. Her husband might be an exec at a large company. Or her kids. Or her friends.
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Absolutely agree. Do everything and anything.
Do not be choosy or too proud. The jobs I thought would be the cr*ppiest often were but quite a few of them led to amazing opportunities.
Be the person that can install a 3u server and read a wireshark capture on a dataplane and the guy that can install powerline adaptors, set up Netflix and retune a TV.
Be an expert at finding instruction manuals online. Be even faster at using them.
Above all, don’t play it safe. Find ways to enjoy being at the edge of your knowledge.
And charge triple if they stand and watch
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