Earning the Linux+ certification is more than a milestone—it’s validation of the skills I’ve built supporting production systems, managing secure deployments, and troubleshooting under pressure.

Along the way, I:

• Strengthened my grasp of system architecture, networking, scripting, and container orchestration.
• Applied security best practices to real-world use cases.
• Gained familiarity with infrastructure as code (IaC) and DevOps workflows.

This journey was about more than passing an exam. It sharpened how I think as a Linux practitioner: proactively, methodically, and with an eye on both the terminal and the bigger picture.

Next up: I’m diving studying for Cloud+ in a couple of weeks and sharpening my knowledge of hybrid infrastructure, automation, and cloud-first strategy.

I challenged the beta version of the CompTIA Linux+ XK1-006 certification exam — a more demanding and extended version of the standard exam, consisting of 125 questions instead of the typical 90. Taking the beta meant tackling the material with less guidance and less certainty, but that challenge pushed me further than any exam to date.

In preparation, I dove deep into:

• Advanced Linux administration techniques across multiple distros
• Scripting with Bash, automation fundamentals, and job scheduling
• System orchestration and services like cron, systemd, and process control
• Security best practices, permissions, and troubleshooting under pressure

This wasn’t just about memorizing commands — it was about mastering workflows, understanding Linux’s design philosophy, and learning to problem-solve like a systems administrator.


Results anticipated July 2025

As part of my foundational deep dive into Linux system administration and open-source tooling, I successfully passed the LPI Linux Essentials certification through the Linux Professional Institute.

This Certification validated core competencies including:

• Command-line navigation and file system operations
• Package management, permissions, and system architecture
• Understanding the Linux community, open-source licensing, and processes

Preparing for this exam strengthened both my theoretical understanding and my daily applied use of Linux across server environments, container platforms, and my homelab.

I was honored to be named in a company-wide appreciation message from our Strategic Planning Director for going above and beyond in IT support and new employee onboarding.

Working in a fast-paced environment where technical readiness directly impacts operational success, I collaborated closely with teammates to:

• Ensure seamless hardware and software setups for new hires
• Deliver fast, responsive support under tight timeframes
• Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

This recognition from leadership—including shoutouts from directors across infrastructure, global IT, and planning—reinforced the value of consistency, initiative, and customer-minded service.