How I Would Begin My Cloud & DevOps Journey in 2025

Hey Cloud Enthusiasts,

Last week, I was delivering an internal session on Emerging Technology Trends & Their Business Impact, and an interesting question came up from one of our employees:
“How would you start your Cloud and DevOps engineering journey if you had to start over?”

This got me thinking about the best possible path for anyone looking to break into or restart their journey in this ever-evolving field. Here’s exactly how I would do it:

Step 1: Master the Fundamentals

Before diving into tools and platforms, a strong foundation is essential.

• Linux & Shell Scripting

  • Learn Linux command-line basics (file systems, networking, permissions).

  • Practice shell scripting (Bash) for automation.
    

• Networking & Security Basics

  • Understand DNS, TCP/IP, HTTP, VPNs, Firewalls, and IAM concepts.

  • Learn security best practices (IAM, RBAC, encryption, compliance frameworks).
    

• Programming

  • Pick Python or Go for scripting and automation.

  • Learn infrastructure as code (IaC) using Python (e.g., Boto3 for AWS).

Step 2: Deep Dive into Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Cloud is the backbone of modern DevOps. I would focus on AWS first, then explore other cloud providers.

• Get hands-on with AWS (or GCP/Azure)

  • EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, RDS, Lambda, CloudWatch, CloudFormation/Terraform.

  • Learn AWS networking (VPC, Route 53, ALB, Security Groups).

  • Deploy sample applications to cloud (e.g., a simple web app on EC2 + RDS).
    

• Certifications (Optional but Useful)

  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

  • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (once experienced)

  • Google Cloud Associate Engineer (for multi-cloud exposure)

Step 3: Master DevOps & Infrastructure as Code

Once I have a solid cloud understanding, I would focus on automation.

• Containers & Kubernetes

  • Learn Docker (build images, manage containers, compose).

  • Learn Kubernetes (deployments, services, Helm, Kustomize).

  • Set up a local Kubernetes cluster using Kind, Minikube, or K3s.

  • Explore managed Kubernetes (EKS, GKE, AKS).
    

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

  • Terraform (write and apply basic configurations).

  • AWS CloudFormation (for AWS-specific automation).
    

• CI/CD Pipelines

  • Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, or ArgoCD.

  • Automate builds, tests, and deployments.

  • Implement blue-green and canary deployments.
    

• Observability & Logging

  • Learn Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana).

  • Implement logging and monitoring for Kubernetes clusters.

Step 4: Work on Real-World Projects

After learning, real-world projects will reinforce knowledge.

• Join Open Source Projects

  • Contribute to CNCF projects (Kubernetes, ArgoCD, Prometheus).

  • Improve documentation, fix bugs, or add features.
    

• Build Personal Projects & Labs

  • Deploy a full-stack app using Terraform + Kubernetes + AWS.

  • Set up a CI/CD pipeline for automated testing and deployment.

  • Monitor an application with Prometheus and Grafana.
    

• Freelancing or Volunteering

  • Work on small projects for startups or NGOs.

  • Offer DevOps automation solutions on Fiverr, Upwork, or GitHub.

Step 5: Get a DevOps Job or Start Consulting

• Apply for DevOps Engineer, SRE, or Platform Engineer roles.

• Build a strong LinkedIn and GitHub profile showcasing projects.

• If experienced, offer consulting services to companies.

How I Would Accelerate My Growth

1. Follow Top DevOps & Cloud Blogs (AWS Blogs, CNCF updates).

2. Join DevOps Communities (Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn, DevOpsDays).

3. Attend Meetups & Conferences (AWS re:Invent, KubeCon, DevOpsDays).

4. Never Stop Automating! The key to DevOps is continuous learning and automation.

Final Thoughts

If I had to start over, I would learn fast, build projects, and network aggressively. The industry is evolving, and mastering Cloud + Kubernetes + Automation is the best way to build a high-paying, future-proof career in DevOps.

What do you think? How would you start your DevOps journey in 2025? Let’s discuss!

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