Hi everyone, I'm in my seventh semester of college and currently taking a DevOps course. I want to go beyond the university material and possibly pursue DevOps as a career. Most of our coursework uses AWS, and I've already completed Linux fundamentals and the AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials course. I'm looking for a structured learning path and recommendations for courses. Should I subscribe to KodeKloud, and how good are its courses and learning paths? Would it be better to study DevOps tools through KodeKloud while taking a separate AWS course, or is there a strong course that combines AWS with DevOps?
2 Answers
Keep the learning path project-based. Start with Linux, networking, Git, and enough shell or Python to automate routine tasks. Then learn AWS one layer at a time: IAM, VPC, EC2, S3, and CloudWatch. Build a simple application, place it behind a load balancer, provision the infrastructure with Terraform, and add a CI pipeline. Once that works, move on to Docker and Kubernetes rather than trying to memorize every AWS service. For every project, document how deployment, monitoring, rollback, and access control work. That will teach you considerably more than passively completing a long course. AWS’s own training platform is also a useful starting point.
Thanks for the detailed advice. Is there a particular AWS course or learning track you would recommend?
Your current foundation is a good start. Build up Linux and networking first, especially DNS, TCP/IP, load balancing, and basic security. Then learn Git, shell or Python automation, Docker, Terraform, CI/CD with something like GitHub Actions, and eventually Kubernetes. Since you’re already using AWS, focus on practical deployments instead of only watching lectures. Try deploying a small containerized application with services such as ECS or EKS, and keep the projects in a public portfolio. KodeKloud is often useful for Docker and Kubernetes, but it will be easier to follow after you understand the fundamentals. For AWS-specific study, a dedicated course from an instructor such as Stephane Maarek can complement it. Practical experience and being able to explain your design decisions usually matter more than collecting certificates.
I’m mainly looking for a structured route. My understanding is that DevOps covers practices such as CI/CD along with tools like Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes, and Linux, while AWS is the cloud platform used to host and operate those systems. Would it make sense to study a DevOps path and an AWS course side by side, or is there a better combined option?
If I built a portfolio showing these tools and documented deployment, monitoring, rollback, and access control—and could explain the choices clearly—would that be enough to have a realistic chance of entering the industry without a formal degree?