Hey everyone! I'm currently a computer science student and trying to find the right career path for myself. I'm not really into web development and definitely don't see myself building visually appealing websites. I have a history of rooting phones and installing custom ROMs as a hobby, and I'm just starting to play with Linux commands in a virtual machine. However, I struggle with data structures and algorithms and I'm not familiar with JavaScript frameworks, which feels like the trend everyone around me is following with the MERN stack.
I've been looking into SysOps and DevOps roles, but I'm curious if there are enough job opportunities for fresh graduates in these fields. If so, what's the best way to kick off my journey? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Don't overthink it! I was in your shoes once and thought web development wasn't for me. I ended up learning React just to land a job, and it wasn't half bad! Once I got into the industry, I pivoted to what I really enjoyed, like backend and DevOps work. Plus, all the random Linux stuff I did as a hobby turned out to be incredibly useful. Just get started in the field, and everything will fall into place for you!
Focus on learning tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, Docker, and GitLab—along with Python and C. Familiarize yourself with CI/CD processes and play around with Docker containers. Trust me, being well-versed in Linux will really help your job security compared to typical web dev roles. You'll find a lot of companies value practical skills over just theory.
DevOps or SysOps would be a great fit for you, especially since you seem to enjoy working with systems rather than the UI. Start with mastering Linux, Git, and Docker, and dabble into a cloud platform. Build some projects to showcase on GitHub and don't hesitate to apply for internships. Certifications are nice but optional; hands-on experience speaks volumes.
I think you might want to consider starting with roles in systems administration, networking, or help desk positions. These will allow you to learn the systems where you work and eventually move up. DevOps is kind of like a final boss class; you have to gather skills from various fields like Linux admin and cloud infrastructure to really succeed in it. Luckily, many intermediate roles nowadays can teach you a lot of the skills needed for DevOps.
That sounds right! Plus, jumping into things like Cloud Sec could be a great option too since it's one of the few engineering roles that seems safe from being automated.
Make Linux your go-to operating system! Get comfortable with the shell and configuring setups. After that, you can dive into compiling code for your interests. It's a solid foundation for whatever path you choose next!
Exactly! If you start down that path, you might find you really enjoy it.