I'm feeling really lost trying to figure out what DevOps actually means as a career path. It's not a straightforward role, right? Different companies have varying expectations: some want knowledge of monitoring tools, others emphasize cloud skills, and some even require security expertise. It's overwhelming!
I've always enjoyed coding and making new things, and I thought platform engineering would be a good blend of that and DevOps. But then I get mixed signals—some say coding isn't necessary while others suggest I should learn Python or Go.
In essence, I'm confused about what to study to improve my skills and where it might lead me in my career. Can anyone help clarify?
5 Answers
Coming from a software development background, I've picked up skills along the way without diving too deeply. Ultimately, you need to be versatile. If you want a successful DevOps career, focus on being a problem solver. Learn to identify issues within systems and how to resolve them, regardless of the tools you use. The different definitions of DevOps can be dizzying, but what employers want is someone who can connect development teams with infrastructure.
Couldn’t agree more! Focus on what you enjoy most in tech, and let that guide your learning.
DevOps is about ensuring systems are running smoothly. Basically, you help developers by managing deployment processes, monitoring, and fixing things when they break. Just be aware that things can get chaotic—systems evolve, and you need to troubleshoot issues regularly. It can be a very dynamic role!
DevOps often isn't a starting role for newcomers. You typically transition into it from positions like software development or systems administration. In every place I've worked, the definition of DevOps was unique. There was one instance where I ended up doing IT support, development, and release management all in one job!
Absolutely agree! I found myself in a similar position—beginning as a junior in DevOps was a stroke of luck for me, thanks to some internships. Honestly, I realized that it's not typically a role meant for newcomers.
Right, usually you learn one side, either dev or ops, then you get a feel for the other to blend both skill sets.
I like to think of DevOps in a family context. Think of project managers as the 'moms' ensuring the development team stays fed and on track. Developers are like 'kids' who have a narrow focus. DevOps roles are like the 'dads,' helping bridge gaps in understanding and keeping everything running. So yes, learn coding, understand systems, and be prepared to keep learning!
I think the best approach is to practice coding while also understanding DevOps principles. Sometimes code isn't a hard requirement, depending on the organization. To maximize your chances, maybe list your top companies and explore their job postings for the roles you're interested in. Notice which skills seem to appear often and focus on those!
Exactly! Pick a problem and tackle it completely. Automate something annoying or build a deployment pipeline. That's how you really learn the ins and outs of DevOps.