Hey everyone! I just graduated and started my journey as a platform engineer. After two months of training in AWS, Kubernetes, Linux, and Docker, I jumped into the job. Now, six months in, I still feel overwhelmed and there's so much I need to learn. I'm finding it tough to keep up with work and often have to tackle new technologies I'm not familiar with.
I need to understand both the infrastructure and the application side to solve issues, but I often feel clueless and find myself asking what feel like silly questions to my seniors. I know this is part of the learning curve, but it's frustrating because I overthink tasks and end up taking longer than I should.
The product I'm working on is complex and really getting my head around it seems like it could take ages. I want to be helpful to my team and get past this steep learning curve as quickly as possible. What should I focus on, and what are some realistic goals for me at this point? Any advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
I can relate to your experience! It’s a big field, and you won’t know everything right away. Just keep pushing and your skills will improve with time. Don't hesitate to ask questions or for help from your teammates. Set realistic timelines for your learning, and you'll see progress!
Hey, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed! Just remember, every new platform engineer goes through this phase. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, focus on understanding one aspect deeply at a time. Maybe look into structured mentorship programs to help you out!
Yess! That sounds like a good plan!
At my place, we’re not expected to be super productive in the first 6-12 months. Just take your time, ask for help, and don't forget to document what you learn. You'll get the hang of it soon enough!
You're doing great for someone who's fresh out of college! It's completely normal to feel confused at times. Your seniors should be patient and supportive, just keep communicating and you'll gain the experience you need. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the encouragement!
You're not alone, I switched roles too and had to start from scratch! Focus on the building blocks and remember that it all takes time. The more you work on projects, the more things will start to click. Hang in there!
So true! It helps to hear that things will eventually start making sense.
Thanks! It feels good to know I’m not alone in this.