Hey everyone! 😊 I'm currently at a 9 to 5 job and I want to become a DevOps specialist as quickly as I can. My aim is to build a solid foundation quickly so I can start working on my own projects, secure a DevOps job, or even pick up small freelancing gigs.
I'm considering three options for learning: 1) TechWorld with Nana bootcamp - it's visually appealing and structured but a bit pricey and maybe not as in-depth based on what I've heard. 2) Cloud Engineer Academy with Suleymane - it feels focused but I'm not sure about the results. 3) KodeKloud - it's very hands-on but a bit overwhelming since it's more pick-and-choose without a clear path.
Given my busy schedule, I think it's better to follow a single structured course rather than juggling multiple free resources or YouTube videos, which just gets chaotic. I aim to acquire real-world DevOps skills and be able to consult or freelance within 8 months. Is that feasible? If you have experience with these options or any other suggestions for a fast yet effective learning path, I'd really appreciate your insights! Thanks!
4 Answers
It's a common misconception that you can just jump in with a structured plan. DevOps largely relies on previous experiences and problem-solving. If you're aiming to get something rolling in 8 months, I suggest getting into SRE certs or coursework to understand cloud, networking, and Linux. In parallel, work on a project, focusing on automating processes and workflows. The real learning comes from tackling issues and making mistakes — that’s the best education you can get.
Start with the basics. Get a solid understanding of Linux and networking first, then do some hands-on labs to boost your confidence. Setting up your own cluster is a great way to learn once you’ve got the fundamentals down. It's not easy and it requires time and commitment, but it's crucial to build a strong base.
Before diving into DevOps, consider your background. Do you have any experience in development or system administration? It's essential to have some foundational knowledge because just taking courses won't get you a job. If you've got a dev background, try working on infrastructure as code and CI/CD pipelines. You could build a simple API and implement those principles, which would be an excellent addition to your portfolio. Understanding how developers work is crucial, so you can effectively troubleshoot and optimize processes.
Just dive into hands-on skills right away! Focus on Linux, Git, Docker, Terraform, and CI/CD tools. Try creating projects on the cloud; DigitalOcean is a good starting point, and you can utilize their Terraform provider. Don’t forget to check out some great learning resources on DevOps roadmaps for guidance!
Thanks for the feedback, TechSavvy101! That’s why I want a structured path — it can get overwhelming with so much information out there. I'm actually a Full Stack Developer, so I'm a bit short on SysAdmin experience.