I've been working as an SDET for about six years, and unfortunately, I've been laid off. I'm exploring new career paths and thinking about transitioning into DevOps. I have a solid grip on Python and a decent understanding of CI/CD principles. At one of my previous roles, I even created a test and deployment pipeline using Jenkins. However, I notice that many DevOps positions seem to require extensive skills. I have a few questions:
1. What skills should I focus on learning to break into DevOps?
2. I'm considering getting the free OCI associate certification—do you think that's worthwhile?
3. What's the difference between DevOps and SRE roles?
1 Answer
If you're looking to move into DevOps, start by showcasing your current skills. I transitioned from SQA Analyst to SDET to DevOps myself. Consider starting an open-source Python project on GitHub and building out a CI pipeline. Deploy it using AWS and manage it with Terraform. Learning some basics of Kubernetes will help, too. I recommend using K3s for local practice and setting up an Elasticsearch node with ECK. Also, shell scripting is essential, and knowing tools like Vector or Telegraf can be handy. Networking knowledge is crucial, too, as many troubleshooting issues often stem from networking problems. To land a job, aim for a small startup that may value your QA experience. Be prepared to wear multiple hats and take initiative—it's key!
This is all super helpful, thank you! I'm pretty comfortable with Jenkins and GitHub Actions, but I struggle with Docker and AWS deployment, so I'll focus on those areas. Any specific certifications you think I should pursue?