What should I know before starting as a DevOps Engineer?

Before embarking on a DevOps career, it’s essential to build a strong foundation in both software development and system operations. Mastering key concepts like automation, CI/CD practices, configuration management, and common DevOps tools such as Git, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms is critical for success.

1. Foundations of Development and Operations:
   Understanding how the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) works and how it connects with operations ensures seamless collaboration between development and ops teams.

2. Process Automation:
   Automation is at the heart of DevOps. It’s crucial to be proficient in scripting (using languages like Python or Bash), building automation pipelines (with tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions), and implementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with tools such as Terraform or Ansible.

3. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD):
   Knowing how CI/CD accelerates development cycles and supports reliable, frequent software delivery is essential. These practices automate testing, integration, and deployment workflows.

4. Configuration Management:
   Using configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, Chef, or SaltStack ensures consistent and reliable infrastructure provisioning across environments.

5. Core DevOps Tools and Technologies:

• Git: A version control system that’s vital for collaboration and code history tracking.

• Docker: Enables containerization of applications for consistent deployment across platforms.

• Kubernetes: A container orchestration platform that simplifies application scaling and infrastructure management.

• Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP): Familiarity with cloud services is fundamental for deploying and managing scalable infrastructure.

6. Soft Skills:
   In addition to technical knowledge, strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities are key to thriving in a DevOps environment.

7. DevOps Culture:
   Embracing DevOps values—such as collaboration, continuous improvement, transparency, and trust—is critical for delivering consistent value and innovation.

8. Operating Systems:
   A working knowledge of operating systems, particularly Linux, is required for infrastructure management and deployment.

9. Programming Languages:
   Being comfortable with at least one programming language, such as Python or JavaScript, is essential for automation, scripting, and extending tool functionalities.

Finally, I encourage you to follow my personal blog serversitte.hashnode.dev, where I openly share my journey as a DevOps engineer — my achievements, my failures, real-world case studies, and the tech stack I've used throughout the years. I document everything that has shaped this path into the most rewarding experience of my life. Whether you're new to DevOps or a seasoned practitioner, you'll find valuable, practical, and honest insights based on real industry experience.