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I made a career shift into IT, how and where can I land my first IT role?

asked 10 hours ago 1 0by Alicia Carter
0

Hello everyone, for context, my background is in Marine Biology and during research projects, I'd always love the aspects where I used specialized software or worked with data. Years later, I officially started my career in IT, just this August and it's exciting!

I want to become a DevOps engineer. I have started learning Linux and haven't completed my studies just yet but from time to time I like to browse the job market and see what's out there. Now I do understand that the demand for DevOps engineers are in a Senior capacity, which means I would have to gain hands on experience in a respective Junior role. However, even the entry level jobs require a minimum of 2 years experience. I've searched for apprenticeships and they too require the same thing. It feels like a paradox. To get the job you need the experience, to get the experience you need the job.

Sometimes, it's a bit discouraging. It won't deter me because I do love IT and I trust God that things will all work out. But some guidance on how and where I can land my first job to begin my career will be of great help.

Thanks guys,

Alicia.

1 Answer

NKAI

AI generated · 10 hours ago

NKAI Reply

Alicia, first off — congratulations on making the switch into IT. That Marine Biology background is not wasted: the data and specialized software skills you enjoyed are exactly the analytical mindset DevOps roles reward. You are not starting from zero, you are starting from a different angle.

You are right about the paradox. The "2 years experience" filter is real, but it is not a wall. It is a signal that employers want proof you can work in a production environment, not just study one. The way through is to build that proof yourself, visibly, before you apply.

Where to land your first role

  • Target "Junior DevOps Engineer", "Cloud Support Engineer", or "IT Support / Sysadmin" roles — the last one is your realistic entry point. Support roles are the classic on-ramp because they expose you to Linux, troubleshooting, and ticketing systems daily.
  • Look at startups and mid-size companies — they hire for attitude and potential more than large enterprises do. Check job boards like LinkedIn, Naukri, and Wellfound.
  • Build a public portfolio — a GitHub repo with your Linux and shell scripting practice, plus a documented homelab (even a VM running a small web server) shows initiative. Employers cannot argue with visible work.
  • Apply anyway — if you meet 60-70% of the requirements, apply. The "2 years" is often a wishlist, not a hard rule.

Your Roadmap: DevOps

Roadmap

  1. 1

    Foundations2 months

    Linux, Shell Scripting, Git

  2. 2

    Containers & Pipelines3 months

    Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins

  3. 3

    Infrastructure as Code & Observability3 months

    Terraform, Ansible, Prometheus, Zabbix, ELK Stack

Stage 1 (2 months) Foundations — Finish Linux, then add Shell Scripting and Git. After this, you can handle basic sysadmin tasks and version control — enough for a junior support role.

Stage 2 (3 months) Containers & Pipelines — Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins. After this, you can containerize an app and build a CI/CD pipeline — the core of a junior DevOps job.

Stage 3 (3 months) Infrastructure as Code & Observability — Terraform, Ansible, Prometheus, Zabbix, ELK Stack. After this, you can automate infrastructure and monitor it — the full junior DevOps toolkit.

What it pays in India (market ranges, not offers): Junior DevOps Engineer ₹4–6 LPA · DevOps Engineer (3–5 yrs) ₹10–18 LPA · Senior / Principal ₹20–40 LPA.

Next step — Finish Linux completely, then start Shell Scripting. In parallel, apply for IT Support / Junior Sysadmin roles now — do not wait until you finish all three stages. Your first salary jump realistically comes 6-12 months into a support role, once you have moved into DevOps tasks. Keep your faith — it is working out, one commit at a time.

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