How to Start a DevOps Career with No Experience
With companies racing to release software faster and more reliably, DevOps has become one of the most in-demand career paths in tech. But what if you're new to the field, or even to IT in general? Can you really break into DevOps with no experience?
The answer is: Yes, absolutely. Many successful DevOps engineers today started from scratch—with no prior experience in automation, scripting, or cloud. What matters most is your willingness to learn and your ability to understand the core concepts that make DevOps so powerful.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting a DevOps career with no experience.
1. Understand What DevOps Is
DevOps isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a culture and a set of practices that bring together software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). The goal is to shorten the development lifecycle while delivering high-quality software continuously.
Before diving into tools, learn what DevOps means. Study its principles: automation, collaboration, continuous integration (CI), continuous delivery (CD), and monitoring.
Resources:
Read “The Phoenix Project” or “The DevOps Handbook”
Watch introductory videos on YouTube or Coursera
2. Learn the Fundamentals of IT and Development
You don’t need to be an expert developer or sysadmin, but basic knowledge in both areas helps.
Focus on:
Linux basics and command-line operations
Networking concepts (DNS, IP, ports, HTTP/S)
Version control systems (especially Git)
Scripting (Bash, Python, or Shell)
Basic understanding of how software is built and deployed
3. Master Key DevOps Tools
You’ll be expected to work with a wide range of tools. Start with the essentials:
Version Control: Git, GitHub/GitLab
CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions
Containers: Docker
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform, Ansible
Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
Monitoring & Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack
Choose one tool in each category, learn it well, and gradually expand your toolkit.
4. Build Real-World Projects
The best way to learn DevOps is by doing. Set up mini-projects such as:
A CI/CD pipeline with Jenkins and GitHub
Deploying a Dockerized web app to AWS or GCP
Using Terraform to provision cloud infrastructure
Monitoring an application with Prometheus and Grafana
Document your projects and upload them to GitHub or a personal blog—employers love seeing practical work.
5. Take a Structured DevOps Course
A structured course can speed up your learning curve. Look for training that includes:
Hands-on labs and cloud access
Real-time project experience
Industry-recognized certifications (like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or Docker Certified Associate)
Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or official cloud providers offer great starter content.
6. Apply for Internships, Support Roles, or Junior DevOps Positions
Even without formal experience, you can start applying for roles such as:
DevOps Intern
Junior DevOps Engineer
Technical Support with DevOps tasks
System Administrator (with DevOps responsibilities)
These entry-level roles offer valuable exposure while building your confidence.
Conclusion
Breaking into DevOps without experience is absolutely doable. With consistent learning, hands-on practice, and a passion for problem-solving, you can position yourself as a strong candidate in this high-demand field. Start small, build your foundation, and grow step by step—your DevOps journey starts now.
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