Inside the Classroom with Georges Rousseau, Yellow Tail Tech Linux Instructor

After graduating from the Yellow Tail Tech Lnx for Jobs program and launching a successful career as a Senior System Administrator at the NIH, Georges Rousseau returned to the classroom to help others do the same. We caught up with Georges to learn how he supports his students as they break into IT and earn industry-recognized certifications like Security+ and RHCSA – and why staying curious is one of the keys to success.

Tell us about your background and how you found your way to Yellow Tail Tech.

When I came to Yellow Tail Tech, I was working toward my Master’s degree in Information Systems. I kept hearing the same things from potential employers: I was either overqualified or lacked hands-on experience. I wanted something tangible that would get me into the job market quickly. I attended a presentation by Yellow Tail Tech, and it just clicked for me.

I joined a small cohort, and we’re still in contact. I completed the Lnx for Jobs Program, earned my Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification, and almost immediately started receiving recruiter calls from all over the country. That certification opened doors I hadn’t expected.

What was your first job after graduating from Yellow Tail Tech?

I landed a Junior System Admin position at the National Institute of Health (NIH), specifically with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). My Yellow Tail Tech classmate recommended me for that first job. They were impressed with my interview, and the onboarding felt surprisingly smooth. I had already seen much of the work I was doing there in the Yellow Tail Tech program.

Over time, I became a Senior System Admin. I even recruited another Yellow Tail Tech student to join me there. Now I work in NIH’s High Performance Computing (HPC) program, managing multiple servers in a large data center. It’s more responsibility, but also a great opportunity, and I'm learning a lot here.

What inspired you to return as an instructor at Yellow Tail Tech?

I never planned on teaching, but I stuck around after graduating to help other students prepare for their certifications – RHCSA and Security+. Eventually, the Yellow Tail Tech team noticed and asked me to become a Teaching Assistant (TA). From there, the instructor who taught me encouraged me to lead classes and gave me feedback.

That first year, I realized teaching wasn’t so different from preparing students for certifications. I followed the teaching methods my instructor used, and it worked. I was even named Instructor of the Year based on student success, though I think all of our instructors do an amazing job.

How would you describe your teaching style now, Georges?

Because I went through the program myself, I know what it feels like to be introduced to new concepts – especially if you’re completely new to tech. A lot of our students are “green,” so I read the room (even while teaching remotely), ask questions to check for understanding, and have students summarize key points in their own words.

I try not to call on students who have experience when I do that – I want peers to learn from each other. My goal is always to make the material approachable and ensure students are confident with each step before we move forward.

How do you support your students outside of class time?

I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 PM, and usually, students stay after class for extra support. Some ask follow-up questions, others want career advice, and some want to talk tech. I also open a Zoom room on Fridays if a group wants to study together. I don’t let them work ahead on projects we haven’t covered, but I encourage them to collaborate and reinforce what they’ve already learned.

Sometimes I’ll join those sessions to listen. If I notice a gap in understanding, I’ll address it there and bring it back into the next class. It keeps everyone on track.

What kinds of students tend to thrive in your class?

We get a wide range of people from healthcare, finance, accounting, and even other areas of tech who want to pivot into system administration. Some want a career change; others are exploring something new post-COVID, often looking for remote opportunities.

Some of our strongest students had zero experience in IT before joining. I often find it’s easier to teach students who are completely new to the field. They come in like sponges – ready to absorb and follow instructions without preconceived habits.

Is there a student success story that stands out from your time teaching?

I can’t pick just one! As a TA, we had a class MVP, Adebi, who took the RHCSA exam from home and messaged me to let me know that he passed his exam. It was wonderful to be part of his journey and watch him go through the internship and land a job with Redhat.

In my first class, the MVP was taking the course while also getting exposed to Linux in the military. She was able to connect that to what she was learning at Yellow Tail Tech, and she later accepted a Linux position with the military.

I am lucky enough to now have two students – Shardé and Alpha – with perfect scores on the RHCSA exam.

When you see an entire class sticking together, developing relationships, networking, and having a strong bond and wanting to study and succeed – that’s the most memorable. Every cohort makes it a goal to set the bar high and then other cohorts use that as motivation to do well. They aren’t competing, but wanting to learn and be in the next successful cohort.

Is the Linux job market still strong for entry-level professionals?

Yes. Many Linux system admin roles are hybrid or fully remote, but I don’t recommend that students focus on that. In my current HPC role, I work hybrid – some things have to be done in person, like handling hardware – but most of the day-to-day work can be done remotely. I also tell students not to be intimidated by job titles. Many listings say “Senior,” but I’ve referred grads with only Linux experience to Cloud roles. If they’re honest about what they know and eager to learn, companies are often willing to train them.

As someone who works in the Linux field, would you hire a Yellow Tail Tech graduate?

Yes – especially if they’ve completed the apprenticeship. At Yellow Tail Tech, students don’t just get the certification or foundational training. After that, they can go through an apprenticeship where they work in a more realistic, hands-on environment. I really value that part of the program. If a student has mastered everything from the apprenticeship, and I see an open position, I recommend them.

That’s what happened at NIH. I got hired first, then I referred someone else from Yellow Tail Tech. After that, we referred two more Yellow Tail Tech grads. It’s become a kind of web. We know these students are prepared to do the work.

I'm also now involved in Yellow Tail Tech’s content delivery, so I pitch ideas to help shape the curriculum. If I see something we should add or revise, we discuss it. The goal is to make sure the program reflects what’s happening in the industry.

What is the most relevant certification for a Linux System Administrator in 2025? Any advice for students about passing their certification exam?

The Lnx for Jobs Program prepares you to earn the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification and CompTIA Security+, which are still the most important certifications for system administrators. I’m also working on my RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) certification, and then I’ll work on AWS certifications.  

Don’t wait too long after graduating to take the exam. We aim for students to get certified within one month of finishing class. I start planting that seed early – helping them stay motivated and showing them how to break up their studying into weekly goals. In my most recent cohort, nearly half the students got certified within weeks of finishing.

Also, practice is everything. You can’t expect to coast through the material and pass. Read before class, ask questions, and engage with your classmates. That’s where real learning happens.

How is Yellow Tail Tech’s program different from a $30 Udemy exam prep course?

When you study alone, it’s just you, YouTube, and Google. At Yellow Tail Tech, you’re part of a community. You’re surrounded by people from all different backgrounds working toward the same goal. We promote networking heavily, and it makes a big difference – not just in how you learn, but also in how you build your career.

As someone with years of experience, why is it important to continue training junior engineers – especially now, when people are worried about AI replacing entry-level roles?

AI can do a lot, but it can’t replace instinct or critical thinking. It still has to be programmed, tested, and maintained – and that’s where real people come in. We need junior talent to keep the pipeline going. 

What would you tell someone thinking about enrolling at Yellow Tail Tech?

Come in ready to learn and stay open-minded. You don't have to understand exactly what's happening, or what's in the context, but read before you come to class. Be prepared to ask questions.

Know your “why” – why you want to change careers or break into tech. Everything at Yellow Tail Tech is designed to support you. Classes are recorded, instructors are accessible, and we don’t just read slides – we explain concepts and make sure you truly understand them. It’s a community. And if you show up and do the work, you’ll succeed.

Find out more and read Yellow Tail Tech reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Yellow Tail Tech.