Considering a Career Change to DevOps – Is It a Good Move?

Before jumping straight to DevOps, it might be worth gaining some experience in tech support roles to build a solid foundation. Keep developing your GitHub with personal projects that showcase your skills. Check job postings to identify the most requested skills and prioritize learning those. You're on the right track with Linux and AWS—keep growing your knowledge in these areas, and you’ll be in good shape!

DevOps isn't generally considered a junior position. You’ll likely need experience with Linux, networking, and various tools. Many job postings will expect you to know a range of operational skills. The Linux Foundation offers some solid certifications if you're looking to formalize your knowledge. Additionally, familiarize yourself with scripting languages since you'll often need to automate tasks. Try to build projects and document everything on your GitHub!

DevOps roles are often not entry-level positions, so you'll likely want to consider starting with software engineering or tech support. If you can invest in your learning, focus on building skills in Linux, Docker, and Kubernetes. You could set up a home lab to practice deploying applications. That said, if you know your stuff and can demonstrate your skills, you could land a DevOps role without prior direct experience. It's all about how you present your projects and understanding the need for foundational knowledge before jumping into DevOps. Good luck!

Switching into DevOps is definitely possible! I started as a self-taught DevOps engineer and landed a job with a big company despite having no experience. Here’s a roadmap: set up a homelab to experiment, learn networking fundamentals, and get comfortable with Linux. Also, focus on scripting with Python and Bash, and get hands-on with tools like Docker and cloud services like AWS. The key is finding opportunities to apply what you’ve learned, so consider volunteering your skills for small projects to build up a solid resume.

Going into DevOps directly might be tough since many roles expect a solid understanding of both development and operations. Focus on learning development principles first. Mastering tools and automation processes will be crucial, and make sure you're familiar with the typical tech stack for DevOps, such as CI/CD tools, cloud platforms, and scripting languages. Certifications can help, but practical experience is essential too!