No degree, no Polish, but I know Linux and homelab. Can I get an entry IT job?

Hi everyone,

I arrived in Poland from Ukraine a few days ago. I do not have a university degree and I have never worked in IT before, but I have some practical skills and wanted to ask for advice.

I have used Linux as my main system on my desktop for a few years, and I really like fixing system problems. I also host different things on my own server: Wireguard, OpenVPN, Hysteria2, Matrix, XMPP, Mumble, an IRC bouncer, my own Git server, and a static website synced with rsync. I used Docker a lot and now I am learning Podman. I also know some basic programming: I made small games in LOVE2D with Lua, tried C++ and Unity, and wrote a Python bot that checks ticket availability on a website and sends notifications.

My English is around B1 level. I can read documentation easily, write in text chat, and speak okay, but I am still working on it. I do not speak Polish yet, but I want to learn it.

I know that getting a developer job is very hard right now, so I am not looking for that. I am ready to start with any entry job: technical support, helpdesk, junior Linux administrator, or an assistant role. I really want to work in tech and avoid physical work in warehouses if possible.

Is it realistic to find this kind of job in Poland without Polish and with B1 English? What job titles should I search for on LinkedIn or Pracuj, and do companies care about self-hosted home server projects?

Thank you for any advice!

abbadon420 18 points a month ago

You might be able to land something like a support job, but you're gonna have to wow them with your enthousiasm. You also might want to look for traineeships, which is basically like "training on the job". you sound right for that, but those have become scarce as well. I know Poland has a vibrant dev community, but I don't know how the job market is.

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Jayb151 14 points a month ago

Did you actually type all that out with it help? If so, yes, your English is better than some native born United Statians I've worked with in IT.

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lipen 6 points a month ago

Honestly, no :D Actually, I write the text myself and then ask AI if I wrote it right

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Jayb151 5 points a month ago

If you're able to speak English this well or close to it, is say entry level help desk is well within each at an English speaking company.

I'm not sure how easy jobs are to come by in Poland, but I did work with a Polish guy... At an Irish company... And I was in the US.

All that to say, just start applying! Even US based companies are sometimes looking for what would be our overnight shift. So something like starting between 3 and 8 US time. It might be an early shift for you, but it's doable!

LinkedIn, indeed, and honestly just Google can probably find you something.

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lipen 1 point a month ago

I passed the test and got this result :)

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PetteriPano 10 points a month ago

I think any company that has their own infrastructure will require degrees and certification.

I'd look at hosting companies that offer managed hosting of websites, VPS:es and similar. Look to businesses that'll host your wordpress site for a monthly fee. They'll manage updates, and fix make sure they don't break. There's always a bit of hands-on, which sounds like it could be up your alley.

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EnsignWashout 8 points a month ago

Lots of organizations have a "ooh scary Linux" server or two that they rely on, but failed to retain the talent needed to maintain it. If you've been running desktop Linux, and know some basic command line tools, you're way ahead of most people they will interview for the role.

The downside is that they might feel that they can maybe just keep ignoring their problem for another year, and some will.

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Pringles 6 points a month ago

You should be able to get a position like a site administrator (basically on-site IT) at some international company relatively easily if you’re handy with computers. But I would advise you to start at an IT consulting company first. They will pay for certifications and training. There is a pretty good career to be made following such a path and often English is the only language required.

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quill7513 3 points a month ago

i have a coworker a lot like you. there is no one set formula for success. you will define what that looks like for yourself. your path is not easy, but it is certainly not impossible. and even if the path you follow doesn't lead you where you expect, your enthusiasm and effort will bring you someplace incredible.

whether or not that incredible pays well is another story 🤣. lord knows i'm barely getting by most of the time

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orvorn 3 points a month ago

I don't know about Poland but in the US you could definitely get a helpdesk job.

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TrollAccount69 1 point a month ago

No.

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