Hey folks! I hope you're all doing great. I've been diving into DevOps and cloud tech for about three months now and have reached an intermediate level in areas like Linux, Bash scripting, Git, AWS, Docker, CCNA fundamentals, Ansible, and Terraform. My background is actually in Food Engineering, not computer science, and before this, I focused on building algorithmic trading systems. A friend pointed out that my skills from trading could be related to DevOps.
I've had some experience managing servers for running my trading bots, which introduced me to tools like Python, GitHub, and Linux. Right now, I'm working on containerizing these bots with Docker to ensure they run smoothly across different environments. I'm also planning to get AWS, Azure, and CCNA certifications soon and hope to start applying for jobs by May, with a goal to land my first role by August.
I'd love to hear what you think about my transition—do you see having a degree in Food Engineering as a disadvantage in DevOps? Also, what skills or projects should I focus on to improve my chances of scoring a junior DevOps position? Thanks a lot for your insights!
3 Answers
Honestly, your experience with algorithmic trading is a boon for a DevOps path. You've already dealt with automation, servers, and deployment issues, which gives you an advantage! Your degree might not matter as much as demonstrating your real-world projects. Focus on showcasing your work with containerizing your bots, using CI/CD, and automating infrastructure. Also, tools like Runable can help you structure these processes while building your portfolio.
I have a friend who's doing well as a quant, and he doesn’t have the best coding skills. It seems like you don't necessarily need certifications; the key is to show you can code professionally. For DevOps, the bar is pretty low, so just ensure that you understand Python at a professional level and can demonstrate Terraform and Ansible knowledge, along with basic Linux troubleshooting.
Thanks for keeping it real! It’s reassuring to know my background could be a stepping stone. I will definitely put more focus on project work, and your point about coding standards is noted. I believe getting certs will help me get through HR filters, but I also want to enhance my code quality. Your advice is invaluable!
Are you making good money from your trading algorithms? If so, why not just stick to trading? I mean, I know some firms hire quants based on great strategies, and you might get lucky there as well! But if you really want DevOps and you're in New York, I could help pass your CV around.
I've been trading with my bots for a few years now, and it's been my main income. I primarily trade on higher timeframes, which gives me a lot of free time. That’s why I’m looking for something more stable in the long run. I'm based in Istanbul, but once my CV is polished, I’d love to send it over!
Thanks for the insights! That's encouraging to hear!