Hey everyone! My girlfriend has recently completed her Bachelor's in IT in Austria, focusing on DevOps. She had a background in music education before switching to IT after being inspired by my work. Unfortunately, finding a job has been tough for her, especially since most junior roles seem to require 2-3 years of experience and we're noticing a preference for hiring senior candidates. She doesn't have any internships or professional experience yet. We're looking for insights specifically for the EU job market.
Here are some questions we have:
* Are there true entry points into DevOps right now?
* Would getting cloud certifications (like AWS, Docker, etc.) be beneficial?
* Do personal projects actually matter when applying, or do companies prioritize professional experience?
* Should she consider starting with sysadmin or cloud support roles instead?
* Is there any sign of improvement in the job market?
Thanks in advance for any advice or real-world experiences you can share!
5 Answers
I’d definitely recommend applying for sysadmin or cloud support roles. They align well with the ops side of DevOps and can provide valuable experience. Plus, since she likes working on the infrastructure side, these roles could be a good fit!
DevOps is often misunderstood and the job market can be tough. But it’s not impossible! Encourage her to apply for any IT role available to gain experience, and prioritize learning on cloud platforms. It’s definitely a long journey, but starting somewhere is crucial.
I agree! The first IT job doesn’t have to be glamorous; it just needs to get her in the door.
Exactly! Once she gets that foot in, more doors will open up for her.
DevOps positions typically aren’t entry-level jobs. Most professionals in this field start out as sysadmins or developers first. Your girlfriend might have better luck beginning her career in a junior sysadmin or helpdesk role before transitioning into DevOps down the line. It’s important to gain the foundational experience first, especially in a tough market like the EU.
Exactly! Sysadmins handle a lot of the necessary tasks that help build the right skills. Many DevOps engineers come from that background.
I have to agree with you both. It's crucial to understand the basics before jumping into a more complex field like DevOps.
Based on my experience, certifications like AWS or Docker can certainly help but they won’t replace hands-on experience. Projects from GitHub or personal projects can definitely showcase her skills. Companies do like to see self-initiated work, especially if she can speak about what she learned.
Absolutely! I’ve seen projects make a big difference in interviews as they show passion and practical knowledge.
Right, showing application of skills is key! Also, any experience, even if it’s just personal projects, is valuable.
In Austria, many companies aren’t hiring for DevOps directly unless you have experience. It’s often more about who you know, so networking through local meetups or cloud events could help. Don’t underestimate the power of connections!
Networking really does make a difference! I found my last job through a meetup.
Thanks, I’ll encourage her to get involved in meetups.
Yeah, cloud support could be a great starting point. It might be less competitive than a dedicated DevOps role right now.