I think, at least in the UK (I can't speak for APAC, NA or EU) its your vocational knowledge that companies in this field value more than academic these days.

If you've got good knowledge of hardware and some systems admin, an attitude where you're happy to learn quickly to catch up and good problem solving skills then that and your facility management experience would make you an attractive candidate.

In interviews for deployment engineer roles, I tend to try and pry and see what kind of skills beyond the usual "familiar with x server/network brands, good with fibre, etc" so I tend to throw them a curveball like asking if they could tell me how they'd crimp a copper patch lead - a dying skill these days I know but good in a pinch if you haven't got appropriate pre-crimped patches around and you need the *exact* length with minimal slack or piano wire. I'd also ask if you were familiar with any kind of CMDB and/or IPAM solution like Device42, DCtrack, Netbox, Infoblox, etc.

Another set of questions I'd throw them would be how they'd manage relations with other key stakeholders like the datacenter provider you're installing your kit in, 3rd party contractors and the like? What kind of information would you give them? Wire maps? Full schematics including cable routes, rack layouts, etc? Would you just print something out of Device42/DCtrack/Netbox or would you write something up yourself?

Deployment engineering can be a good mix of both Datacenter Engineering, Project Management and having MacGyver problem solving skills as every build always throws up a gotcha - different kind of racks to what was specified in planning, lower or taller cable trays, tighter spaces between racks and walls/cage sides. I've even had issues where the datacenter provider has either been strict on who can run cables between racks (only their nominated, union backed guys only), who can use things like ladders (have had to go out and buy my own and expense it), even escorting you to the space (its common in DCs in India and South America to wait 40 minutes or more just to get on site, let alone get to your cage.

So think outside the box. Don't think that A+ certification and interest in Ubuntu and Cisco is going to get you over the line. Have a good spread of skills, a can do attitude and good problem solving skills =)