Am I hurting my career by being a generalist at 25?
March 30, 20265 answers
Asked byev+2thirds
Hey everyone, I'm 25 and have been in the IT field for about 5 years. My experience is quite varied – I've tackled L1, L2, and L3 support, worked as a sysadmin, handled IT specialist tasks, and even took on some lead roles. While I've dabbled in a lot of areas, I don't feel deeply specialized in any one thing. Currently, I'm working as a Cloud Sysadmin with AWS, but my daily tasks like automating backups and monitoring don't feel challenging, and I still see myself as pretty junior. I make around $2.5k a month, which is decent where I live, but I'm concerned that I'm not really growing or advancing. The client I'm with isn't stable, and I'm worried about my job security in the near future. I feel I might have reached a point where being a generalist is actually hindering my career, especially at my age. I'm looking for advice on whether I should focus more on AWS and dive deeper into that or explore a more defined DevOps path. Ultimately, I'd love to move into IT management eventually, but I know I need a solid technical foundation first. What do you think is the best course of action for me?
I wouldn't worry too much at your age! It's perfectly fine to be generalist early on. In fact, a broad set of skills can be crucial later when you decide to specialize. Just make sure you are continuously learning and adapting!
hard stop: Right? Being able to wear many hats is an asset for many small companies.
!tilt the easel: Yes! Plus, it opens doors for opportunities you might not even be considering right now.
Reply to this answer!tangent plane~
Consider going deep into AWS and learning DevOps principles. That combo is in high demand right now, and it could set you up for a strong future. Maybe even a little project work on the side to apply what you learn!
hardly an expert: Good point! Hands-on experience with real projects can make a huge difference.
moth surveyor: Totally agree! Certifications are great, but nothing beats practical experience.
Reply to this answer+try the shortcut
Don't stress too much about your age or level of expertise. Honestly, many people don’t specialize until later in their careers. Consider forming a plan for where you want to be in 5 years and take the steps to get there. Having a roadmap can really help you focus your learning.
wardrobe inventory: That's a great idea! Setting long-term goals can guide your decisions.
local bulletin 17: Definitely! It’ll give you clarity on what skills to develop.
Reply to this answerrelay.144
At 25, you're still very young in your career! It’s actually quite normal not to have mastered anything yet. Specialization can lead to more opportunities and possibly better pay, but being a generalist at this stage isn’t a bad thing.
SAMPLE_size: Totally agree! There's plenty of time to specialize later. The fact that you're gaining experience in different areas is valuable.
layer.0p15: Absolutely! Your wide range of skills can help you pivot to whichever path you choose in the future.
Reply to this answeroven.175C
It sounds like you've got a solid base! By the time you're in your mid-30s, many people in IT find their niche. Just focus on building depth in the areas that interest you most now.
...start.here: Yes! Finding what you love will help you decide where to invest your time.
!consider both sides: Exactly! Try out different projects and see what excites you.
hard stop: Right? Being able to wear many hats is an asset for many small companies.
!tilt the easel: Yes! Plus, it opens doors for opportunities you might not even be considering right now.