I'm 24 years old and currently residing in Germany, working as a first-level support in a large company that's part of a 24/7 team. I've been in this position for about a year, and I'm at a crossroads. Should I pursue a university degree, or would it be better to continue working and focus on earning certifications instead? I often find myself with 2-3 hours of downtime during my night shifts, so I have the time to study. My company has offered me a second-level support position starting in April, which I could take, but I'm torn between that and staying in my current role while pursuing an online degree. What would you recommend?
5 Answers
I made a similar progression and it's entirely possible! I don’t have a degree either, just a business background. The key is to have projects you can showcase and certifications that can bolster your expertise. Networking and finding mentors can really make a difference. Go for those certificates and get involved with your current team to learn as much as possible.
It's feasible to break into the field without formal education, but you'll need to gain practical experience. Start by focusing on certification courses and apply what you learn in a home lab setup. Your upcoming second-level support job could also be a great stepping stone into more technical roles within your company.
As someone who also went from first-level support to a DevOps role, I can confirm it’s all about experience. Companies are sometimes flexible if you have strong hands-on skills, so dive into some personal projects and volunteer for tasks that align with DevOps responsibilities at work.
It’s definitely possible, but it might require some luck and effort to get your foot in the door. I worked in a similar position and took every opportunity to learn, which eventually led to a better role. Just keep building your skillset and keep your eyes open for opportunities!
Honestly, you can definitely land a DevOps job without a degree. I dropped out of college and transitioned from sysadmin to DevOps over a decade ago. Just be prepared to really show your skills on the job to get noticed. The landscape has changed a lot, and employers will want proof that you can handle the role. Focus on building a portfolio of projects to demonstrate what you can do. Good luck!

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