[ale] somewhat OT: sysadmin must-knows?

[jay]

For everyone who doesn't know me, name is Jay Loden, I'm a student and 
assistant systems administrator at Elon University (NC), and I need your help 
and advice.

I just kind of "fell into" my job with systems administration, much the way  I 
got involved with Linux, and it turns out I like both.  I am graduating in 
May and I want to work in systems administration (or indeed anything where I 
can use Linux daily).  Here's the problem: I'm graduating with a degree in 
Corporate Communications.

Basically, I need to teach myself every scrap of useful information I can cram 
into my brain before May about being a sysadmin, because I'm sure haven't 
gotten it from my classes!  What I'm looking for is helpful suggestions, i.e. 
books I need to read, skills I need to have, experience that's critical, etc. 

I am working on honing my Python scripting skills (with the hope of being a 
competent Python programmer by May), and I am rapidly learning as much as 
possible about Linux in general, but I know that there are bound to be things 
I'm neglecting or unaware of that are essential sysadmin know-how.  I would 
love to hear from systems administrators out there on the list...how did you 
get into your field?  What do you think I need to know? How can I learn it 
best?  Is getting involved with OSS projects helpful (e.g. helping with a 
distro)? What options are there for a guy with only a small amount of 
"official" sysadmin experience who's willing to learn fast and hard? 

Thanks in advance and I apologize for the lengthy mail! 

-Jay