Have you managed a dedicated server before? You will find similarities between the two since VPS solutions provide you with root access just like you would receive with a dedicated server.
If your able to have a control panel installed and configured (cpanel, plesk, direct admin, etc.) you might find managing your own VPS or Dedicated Server to be an easy task.
Sign up for one of VPS providers VPSland.com, A2hosting.com or Santrex.net, with the ones which offer managed and unmanaged solutions and try all variants.
I think that will help you grow with your skills.
ServerPoint.com provides VPS solutions at affordable prices as well. Much RAM they provide and you may choose the suitable system of payment (say, $19.99/mo
$199.99/year ($16.66/mo)
$349.99/2 years ($14.58/mo)).
You may want to visit a vps hosting system vendor and talk to their sales engineers to get a demo. If you visit a tradeshow they will be there in person to help you.
Think of a semi-dedi that can be a good bet too. It gives more features than shared plans, it's nearlly dedi but cost less. I have seen nice offers from downtownhost.com.
managing VPS is not so difficult. For linux can do all through control panel, even for windows to can do it. But windows is little bit easy so need any control panel can do manually all like web hosting, DNS configuration etc.Only inertial knowledge has to get from some guide or from others then will run smoothly