I've been a backend developer for about four years, mainly dealing with legacy code by building APIs and fixing bugs. Recently, I decided to switch to a DevOps role, so I studied Docker, Terraform, Kubernetes, and AWS, eventually earning my AWS Developer Associate certification. Now that I've landed a position as a DevOps engineer, I'm finding it really tough. I'm relying a lot on AI to get things done, but I lack a deep understanding of what I'm doing. I want to learn and improve, but I'm unsure where to start. My previous studies only provided a general overview, and my small projects didn't prepare me for real-world scenarios like managing large Kubernetes clusters or multi-account infrastructure with dependencies. Should I start from the basics? What books or courses would you recommend to help me build the required knowledge?
5 Answers
Congrats on landing the role! My advice is to 'fake it till you make it.' Use AI as a resource to help with tasks. For anything that requires specific expertise, don't hesitate to delegate to someone more experienced.
Are you part of a team? You should definitely have an onboarding process to familiarize yourself with company practices. Knowing your company’s stack will drastically help your learning curve. After that, focus on how things fit together.
It's normal to feel overwhelmed in your first DevOps role! Embrace the challenge. Make it a point to ask questions and be curious. That's how you’ll learn and adapt more quickly.
This is typical for any new job, especially in tech. My advice is to tackle one new topic each week. As you dive deeper, things will start to connect. Don’t hesitate to take notes and ask for help when needed.
Relying on AI is common, and feeling like an imposter is also part of the journey! Identify the key areas you need to master, and focus on those. For AWS, there's plenty of documentation out there. Try to engage with AWS tutorials and work with a sandbox account if possible. Don't shy away from asking for mentorship—it can be invaluable!

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