Hey everyone! I'm a software support engineer with about a year of experience, and I've been diving into DevOps for the last six months, hoping to land a junior DevOps role. I started with basics like Linux and networking, and I've since learned about containers. I even took a DevOps Bootcamp that helped me earn my RHCSA certificate. I'm now planning to achieve two more certifications by the year's end but I'm tangled up on what to focus on among RHCE, AWS DVA-C02, CKA, and Hashicorp Terraform. I feel like RHCE might be the way, but I rarely hear it mentioned in DevOps discussions. What do you guys think? I'd love your insights! Just a quick note: I get that some might say these certs aren't worth it, but in my area, they're crucial for job prospects. Thanks for any help!
5 Answers
I’d say instead of getting too caught up in certifications, focus more on building relevant GitHub projects. Create a repo for setting up a Kubernetes cluster or a CI/CD pipeline—something that showcases your skills practically. Certifications just prove you've memorized information, but practical experience will really show that you know what you’re doing and can tackle real challenges on the job.
Totally agree! Working on practical projects not only boosts your resume but also helps you learn so much more effectively.
Honestly, RHCE might not have much staying power these days. With AWS, solutions architecting skills are in high demand over just development skills. CKA is a solid certification nowadays. But really, the key is less about certs and more about your ability to demonstrate skills practically. When I’m hiring, I look for problem solvers, not memorization champs.
RHCE is definitely practical and could provide some doors if you lack experience. But don’t forget about the bigger picture—it's essential to build experience. The more you work on your hands-on skills, the better it will serve you in your career pursuit.
That's true! Building practical skills should come first, then the certifications will just enhance your profile.
Agreed! Certification is helpful, but real-world application is what matters.
If you’re eyeing a DevOps position soon, check out the job listings that appeal to you and see what skills they require. Don't waste too much energy on certifications—they're not a magic bullet. Consider a cloud certification based on what's trendy in your area and brush up on programming skills, especially in Python and Go. You'll be more competitive that way!
This is super useful advice, thank you! I'm currently building skills in Kubernetes and Terraform while also gearing up for the CKA certification.
I love that you're focusing on programming too—it's so important in the DevOps space, especially with tools built in those languages!
Rather than stressing over the next certification, focus on creating practical projects. Set up a full application on Kubernetes, get comfortable with tools like Helm for deployments, and use infrastructure as code for automation. Trust me, hands-on experience will teach you way more than any cert would.
Great point! Sometimes it's easy to just chase the certs, but having hands-on projects makes a big difference.