How Can I Gain More Experience in DevOps?

With over 20 years in the field, I can say 'real DevOps' can vary widely depending on your tools and platforms. Questions you might want to consider are: What tech stack are you using? AWS? Kubernetes? Docker? Adding skills in Python or Terraform could be beneficial too. It's crucial to have a personal lab to experiment without risking company resources. Just remember that what works for your current job might not be applicable for the next role, so keep learning and building!

I totally get where you're coming from! I've faced similar challenges in my job where the DevOps exposure was limited. To grow your skills, consider taking on freelance gigs if time allows, since that can provide real-world experience. If that's tough, try building a homelab at home with some old hardware or Raspberry Pis. You can install Linux, set up k3s, and practice CI/CD pipelines. It’s a great hands-on way to learn and can help you directly apply concepts in your current job. Whatever you're learning in videos, try to recreate those projects yourself. That's really where the magic happens.

Definitely look into Kubernetes, Docker, Infrastructure as Code (like Terraform), and a CI/CD system, as these are essential tools in modern DevOps. Don't forget to work on a programming language for coding challenges too, but focus on the easier and mid-level problems. Having some hands-on experience and stories from past projects can really set you apart. A key takeaway: experiments and failures at home can lead to much better skills in the workplace.