If you’re in your first year of engineering and aspire to become a DevOps engineer, this guide is for you. I’ll share a step-by-step plan that you can follow, inspired by advice from senior, Ritesham Shastri (LinkedIn).
Here’s how you can do it:
First Year: Build the Basics
DevOps is not typically an entry-level role. It demands a strong understanding of foundational concepts like networking, Linux, and system automation. According to Ritesham, imagining a fresher managing a high-stakes system—like one handling $10 billion worth of transactions per second—is risky and unrealistic. You need to prepare yourself step by step to handle such responsibilities.
Start with the following:
Learn Linux: Familiarize yourself with the Linux command line and system administration basics. Tools like Bash scripting are essential for automating tasks.
Understand Networking: Study core networking concepts like DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, TCP/IP, and load balancing.
Experiment at Home: Set up a small cluster using old devices or a Raspberry Pi. Deploy simple applications like a voting app, and learn to make them highly available.
Learn Version Control: Master Git and understand how to manage code repositories.
Second Year: Hands-On Experience
By your second year, aim to get hands-on experience in system operations and basic automation. Here are some practical tasks:
Automation: Use shell scripting to automate repetitive tasks.
Build Failovers and Backups: Experiment with creating failover mechanisms and backup solutions for your small cluster.
Deploy Applications: Practice deploying containerized applications using tools like Docker.
These exercises will strengthen your understanding of how systems work and how to manage them effectively.
Third Year: Master Cloud Platforms
The third year is the perfect time to dive into cloud technologies. As Ritesham suggests, start exploring platforms like AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Azure. Many of these platforms offer free credits and labs for students.
Focus on:
Cloud Basics: Learn services like EC2, S3, and RDS on AWS, or their equivalents on other platforms.
Certifications: Aim for certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate. They not only validate your skills but also make your resume stand out.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Get familiar with tools like Terraform and Ansible to automate infrastructure deployment.
Final Year: Real-World Experience
By your final year, your focus should be on gaining industry exposure. Seek internships with companies that align with your interests in DevOps.
What to achieve:
Practical Experience: Work on real-world projects during your internship, focusing on cloud architecture, CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring tools.
Refine Your Resume: Highlight your certifications, hands-on projects, and internship experience.
The Result: A DevOps-Ready Professional
By following this structured approach, you’ll not only build a strong foundation but also gain practical experience. As Ritesham points out, when you introduce yourself after completing this journey, you’ll confidently say:
"Hi, I’m "Your Name", an AWS Certified Cloud Solutions Architect with experience in DevOps practices. I’ve been involved in cloud architecture design, migration strategies, and working closely with stakeholders, Agile methods, and Scrum."
Notice how this introduction highlights skills and experience rather than your college or graduation year. By the time you graduate, your expertise will speak for itself.
Final Thoughts
DevOps is a demanding yet rewarding field. With the right preparation, starting from your first year, you can position yourself as a skilled and confident professional by the time you enter the job market. A big thanks to Ritesham Shastri for his invaluable advice. It serves as a guiding light for anyone aspiring to excel in DevOps.
Remember, it’s all about consistency, curiosity, and hands-on learning. Good luck on your journey to becoming a DevOps engineer!