Hey everyone! I'm a new Jr DevOps looking to make the most of my free time to sharpen my skills. I've got a homelab set up with a Proxmox server running various VMs, including media server containers, a networking host with VyOS, and AdGuard. I've set this all up but haven't touched it much lately. I'm really passionate about Linux but feel like I've plateaued in my learning. I've dabbled in programming, primarily using Python and Bash, but haven't really found any standout projects to delve into. What do you all suggest I focus on to learn new things on the side? I know DevOps is a broad field with different tools for different companies, but what kinds of activities or resources have you found particularly helpful or wished you had engaged with earlier?
5 Answers
Consider reading the books listed on teachyourselfcs.com. They're high-quality and provide important context about computer science that many devs skip over. Additionally, getting started with AWS could be a useful way to diversify your knowledge, just be cautious about spending too much if you're new to it.
Try to avoid overly focusing on work stuff when you're off the clock. Engage in hobbies like board games or books just for fun, and do outdoor activities. Establishing a good work/life balance early on will help you avoid burnout later. But if you're inclined to work on projects, that's totally okay too—just don't forget to enjoy life outside of it all!
I get the importance of balance, but I believe diving into side projects can really supercharge your career. Sometimes it’s the only chance you get to really learn new skills.
True! But life shouldn't only revolve around work. Gotta enjoy the journey too.
Check out IXIMIUZ Labs for a deep dive into containers; it's a solid resource, and the founder really deserves our support!
Thanks for the tip! Just checked the site and it looks fantastic, appreciate it!
If you're looking for some hands-on experience, try setting up a multi-node Kubernetes cluster using kubeadm and Calico in Proxmox, and experiment with network configurations like VXLANs and BGP. Also, don’t hesitate to experiment by breaking things in your lab to learn how to fix them!
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Yes, sharpen your skills, but also make time for sports, finding friendships, and just enjoying life. You're young, explore a bit beyond tech!
Absolutely! Each experience, not just technical ones, helps you grow a lot as a person.
I like this idea! Understanding data structures, formal logic, and database theory has helped me tremendously in my 20-year career. Not just learning tools, but grasping the theory makes adapting to different technologies much easier.