Linux.com

I guess the question is, Do you have any linux experience so far?

I've been working as a Sys Admin since around 2001, so I could give you an idea of what you need to know. The short answer, be good at everything because you're going to need it. The problem is that only comes with experience. A quick list of things you'll probably want to be informed about:
*Anything made by apache (httpd, tomcat, ant, etc etc)
*Basic coding in different languages (bash, perl, C/C++, python, etc)
*Trouble shooting (strace, log messages, verbose logging, etc)
*Databases (mysql, postgres)
*Basically anything that makes the internet work (mail, dns, blah blah)
*Installing applications from source.

I'm sure there is more, but I can't think of it off the top of my head. Basically, depending on what field you go sysadmin in, things are going to change, but that should help.

As far a certs go, just start with the cheapest one (Linux+ I think) and work forward from there :)
Truthfully though, in my experience the certifications are a nice resume padder, but are by no means a job winner.

Something else that will help more then you think: Completely switch over to a Linux distro on your home machine. Forcing yourself to use it day in and day out will help a *great* deal. Especially, if there aren't any ports for apps you need in linux. Finding / troubleshooting / installing apps that could fill the functionality you're used to having will build your skillset.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few tips I found out when getting into the industry:
*The first job you get will probably be significantly less then what a more experienced sysadmin makes. Use the job as a learning experience that you happen to get paid for, learn as much as you can. Don't expect to stay there much more then a year or two. You're more likely to make more money by going to a new company, then by staying at this job.

*After your first Sys Admin job find one in a slightly different field or admining different types of *nix systems. They're all basically the same, so skills will transfer over fairly easy. At this point, you can be a bit more picky about salary and should be able to make more money. (For me switching jobs was almost a $15k a year raise at this point).

*I did the same thing above another time with another nice pay raise between the jump. The goal here is to get as much work with different systems under your belt as possible.

I know the above sounds weird, I can only vouch that it worked for me. At the point I started I only had been using Linux regularly for a year or so.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope that helps out. I know I can ramble on a bit. :)

I would think that would be a fine base, especially if they're going to go supply programming classes as part of it.