Hey everyone! I'm looking for some guidance because I'm a bit confused about my career direction. I currently work as an Automation QA specializing in Python and I've found myself really intrigued by DevOps. I've talked to a few folks in the field, and their experiences have inspired me to consider making the switch. However, I'm not super experienced yet—only about a year in QA and around 3-4 months in automation testing—so I have a few questions I hope you can help me with:
1. Does it really matter if I don't have a strong development background? I studied it in university but haven't worked much in that area.
2. How important is programming for DevOps? What's the best language to learn—Python, Go, or something else?
3. Is it feasible to move into DevOps from QA? Is this path worth pursuing? I prefer not to stay in QA, but I'm worried about finding a job in DevOps without a lot of dev experience.
4. What kind of pet projects should a beginner in DevOps aim for?
I do have some experience with Docker (just the basics), virtual machines, and writing YAML for CI/CD (even worked with secrets). If there are any of you who have made this switch, I'd love to hear your stories too!
1 Answer
Definitely go for it! The switch from QA to DevOps is pretty common, and a lot of it is about mindset rather than just coding skills. Python is a great choice for DevOps, plus try to kick off some pet projects like automating deployments or establishing CI/CD pipelines. Remember, your degree isn't what matters most—it's your problem-solving skills and willingness to learn!
What do you think is the best way to start quickly? Should I dive into Kubernetes now?