Hey everyone! I'm in my last year of engineering in India and have dedicated my time to building a solid foundation in DevOps instead of the usual DSA/Java route that most of my classmates are taking. I'm looking to land a junior Platform/DevOps/SRE role and eventually aim for remote work in the US or EU. I'd love to hear from anyone already in the DevOps or SRE field regarding a few things:
1. Is my current skill set (AWS, Terraform, Kubernetes) competitive enough for junior roles given the current job market?
2. Should I deepen my skills in areas like observability (with Prometheus/Grafana), Python automation, or open source contributions? What's really important at the start?
3. For remote positions, do companies hire junior DevOps roles? Should I gain some experience in India first or consider contract roles in the US?
4. If you were in my shoes at 21, what would you focus on: more projects, networking, certs, or interview preparation?
5. Are there any key skill gaps I should be addressing now, like security or Linux fundamentals?
I'm seeking practical, experience-based advice, not just motivation. Thanks for any insights!
2 Answers
I managed to become senior without any certifications, so don't stress too much about them. Real-world experience speaks volumes! That said, having a few key certs like the AWS ones definitely helps you stand out. Just keep developing your skills and working on projects to build your portfolio.
To be honest, landing a remote junior DevOps role can be tough right now. A lot of companies prefer candidates with local experience, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while. Focus on building real-world projects and showcasing your skills. That's what really matters!
Yeah, but you never know! Sometimes it helps to apply anyway, just to get a feel for the interview process.
That's true! The industry is always shifting, so hands-on experience can be worth more than certifications in many cases.