I've been freelancing in infrastructure, cloud, and operations for about 3-4 years and co-founded a private limited company, but I'm closing it down due to some compliance and sales challenges. I don't have a formal degree but have gained practical experience that includes Windows configurations, Linux server setups, email security management, DNS setup, application deployment using Docker, and various cloud services like AWS and Azure. I'm interested in knowing if this experience aligns more with DevOps or Cloud Engineering roles, or if it still leans heavily into system administration. Plus, what skills do you think would be important for someone like me? Currently, I'm considering starting in IT support roles as that's a common entry point. Any resume tips would also be appreciated!
2 Answers
You've got a solid foundation here, especially with your knowledge in email security and server setups. Even without a degree, a lot of companies value hands-on experience over formal education. Focusing on real-world projects can significantly boost your employability. I’d suggest digging into system design concepts too; understanding how to architect solutions is key in this field.
It really varies by company. For some places, your experience would qualify you for a junior DevOps role at the very least. If you're looking to enhance your profile, consider building a small project. For instance, you could set up infrastructure on DigitalOcean, integrate CI/CD pipelines for Docker containers, and deploy them onto Kubernetes using Terraform. There are great resources like roadmap.sh/devops for a structured learning approach. Just keep it hands-on to solidify your skills!
Absolutely! It's all about putting your experience to good use. Certifications can also help fill in that educational gap and keep you competitive in the job market. Just remember, always keep learning—it’s a fast-paced industry!