Hey everyone! I'm nearing the end of my Computer Science degree and I'm feeling a bit torn between two career paths: frontend development and DevOps/cloud. Here's where I stand:
**Frontend:**
- Skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Some experience with React (though I haven't completed many standout projects yet).
**DevOps/Cloud:**
- Skills: Linux (comfortable with command line), Docker, Kubernetes (I can deploy apps to a basic K8s cluster), and some AWS experience (like EC2 and S3).
I genuinely enjoy both areas, but I need to decide which one to focus on over the next few months to become job-ready. Considering demand in the job market and my current skills, which path would be the smarter choice? If you have any tips on how I can make myself stand out or any project ideas, I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks a ton!
5 Answers
After 20 years in this field, I say learn everything you can! Don’t limit yourself to just one path. Dive into areas you’re unfamiliar with, and you’ll grow immensely. Picking a specific path might box you in, and I don’t think that's the way to go!
If you’re aiming for a job, mastering Go is a great move! It opens up opportunities on modern development teams and could give you a competitive edge in both DevOps and development roles. As for frontend, many tools are now simplifying that area.
Ultimately, just follow your interests. Focus on what truly captivates you!
From my experience, hiring fresh graduates in DevOps can be tricky because it often requires deeper domain knowledge. I’d recommend you focus around 75% on frontend and 25% on DevOps. Knowing how your service works is a game changer, and having skills in CI pipelines could really help you stand out. Over time, you can always shift more toward DevOps if you find you enjoy it!
Honestly, consider what excites you the most. DevOps isn’t the easiest entry point. As a CS graduate, looking for Software Engineering roles might make more sense for you right now.
I see your point, but I think frontend might fade a bit, while DevOps/cloud skills will remain in demand. Aiming for an Ops role could be a solid strategy, allowing you to transition into DevOps later.