How to Learn DevOps
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DevOps jobs are becoming some of the most in-demand roles in the country. According to the Tech Hiring Survey, the top three disciplines IT recruiters look for are web development, DevOps, and machine learning. DevOps combines development and operations to describe a philosophy of communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
On the one hand, DevOps encompasses software development, automation, and infrastructure. On the other hand, it includes building trust and cohesion between developers and systems administrators. The goal is to create a reliable environment to build, test, and deploy software. In other words, DevOps isn’t a specific technology or coding language.
Still, coding skills are essential for DevOps jobs. The Tech Hiring Survey found that Java, Javascript, and Python are the top three languages recruiters need. Enrolling in a coding bootcamp in one of these popular languages could help build a foundation for a career.
A DevOps bootcamp and certification could lead to a career with one of the top technology companies.
Coding Bootcamps
DevOps jobs don’t fall into one specific career track. Professionals come from backgrounds in software development, infrastructure, and systems administration. If you’re thinking about how to learn DevOps, a reputable coding bootcamp is one way to get started.
A DevOps bootcamp is an intensive program that can last from eight weeks to a year. Unlike a four-year degree in computer science, bootcamps focus on specific skills and preparing students for work upon graduation. The best DevOps bootcamps also provide career services to help graduates find a job.
What is a coding bootcamp like? It depends on whether you choose an online or on-campus program. On-campus programs provide a traditional classroom experience. Some programs may have online assignments, making them a hybrid format. An online program may include real-time remote sessions, live instruction, and collaboration, similar to a classroom experience.
Most bootcamps require some previous education or experience, and many offer free entry-level courses. Learners may need to attend mentorship meetings, study groups, live discussions, and workshop sessions. There are also part-time and self-paced programs that offer study groups, cohort meetups, and periodic check-in with the instructor.
Find the Right Coding Bootcamp For You
Online Courses
Consider online courses when you’re figuring out how to learn DevOps, especially if you’re a beginner. Online courses help students build programming skills and learn to solve real-life problems in software development. These days it’s easy to find online courses, from free and inexpensive workshops to certificate courses.
Plus, various platforms offer subscriptions so that learners can explore their interests or complete entire certifications. It’s still important to research to ensure the course or certification is worth the time. Look for courses that offer hands-on learning and partner with top tech companies, universities, and industry leaders.
DevOps engineers need basic programming skills. They also need an understanding of networking architecture and cloud platforms. Learners can prepare for a DevOps bootcamp with courses in web development and JavaScript fundamentals.
Here are a few additional ideas for inspiration.
- Introduction to DevOps: This nine-hour Coursera class by IBM is a beginner-level course with a shareable certificate upon completion. Students learn basic IT literacy, the DevOps culture of shared responsibility, and study DevOps concepts such as building resilient code. This foundational class is a path to multiple professional specializations, such as the IBM DevOps and software engineering professional certification.
- DevOps Culture and Mindset: DevOps Culture and Mindset is a 15-hour intermediate class by the University of California, Davis. Learners can audit it for free or purchase the course to be able to complete assignments and receive a certificate. Students learn DevOps grounding principles, how this role helps improve collaboration, ideas regarding systems thinking, continuous improvement, and feedback loops.
- Getting Started with DevOps on AWS: Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a free DevOps engineering learning plan for students with basic IT and cloud computing skills. Learners study concepts of DevOps on AWS using discussions, demonstrations, and interactive content in this free 60-minute course. The class is part of the engineer learning plan and exam readiness for AWS-certified DevOps professionals.
- DevOps Foundations: Students get a DevOps overview focusing on the culture, various methodologies, and tools to transition into DevOps. Learners review infrastructure automation, continuous delivery, and reliability engineering in this beginner-level LinkedIn course. Studies include exercises, quizzes, and learners receive a downloadable certificate to share on their LinkedIn profile upon completion.
- Azure DevOps: This series of courses from A Cloud Guru provides a hands-on learning experience with live Cloud Playground, Azure, GCP, and AWS sandboxes. Students learn how to set up and use Azure tools and prepare for developer and administrator associate certifications with practice exams. The novice course is 42 lessons long, with over three hours of video instruction.
Online Courses vs. Bootcamps
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Coding Bootcamps to Learn Database Design
Clarusway
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $18,000
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
Career Services
Evening & Weekend options
Clarusway offers a 14-week long DevOps Engineering bootcamp for those interested in entering the field. Applicants can take a 15-day trial run of the course, which is encouraged since the bootcamp is not designed for beginners. The course provides hands-on experience with Jenkins, Terraform, Nexus, and Prometheus. In total, there are over 114 hours of instruction followed by 54 hours of Career Management Services (CMS).
The CMS includes resume and LinkedIn assistance and interview training. All students at Clarusway will complete a capstone project that can be used in job interviews. Tuition payment options include ISAs, student loans, and installment payment plans.
The data science bootcamp dedicates three weeks to work on databases using SQL, SQLAlchemy, and SQLite. Students learn to use SQL with Python, learn intermediate SQL queries, and how to extract, transform, and load data.
devCodeCamp
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $8,900
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Self-Paced
Career Services Evening & Weekend Options
The Full Stack Development Flex bootcamp, provided by devCodeCamp, is a self-paced program designed for beginners or career changers. Although the bootcamp is not DevOps-specific, it incorporates essential DevOps lessons within its curriculum. In the final module, students will learn about the Software-Development Lifecycle (SDLC), how to use AWS and Docker, and how to set up a deployment and testing environment.
All students at devCodeCamp enjoy the benefits of instructor support, career support, and a strong alumni network. Companies that have hired devCodeCamp graduates include Facebook, Amazon, and Alaska Airlines.
Nucamp
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $1,540
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
Career Services Evening & Weekend Options
Nucamp boasts a 16-week coding bootcamp designed to turn students into Back-End, SQL, and DevOps developers by the end. Learners will engage with a multitude of programs, languages, and software, such as Python, Docker, Flask, Django, and AWS. The last section, of three, focuses on software engineering with DevOps, where students will additionally practice using Agile.
Students will work on their own time throughout the week but attend an instructor-led workshop on Saturdays. Nucamp offers deferred tuition plans and payment installations. They also provide multiple scholarships for their coding bootcamps. Nucamp claims that 79% of its graduates find employment in the tech industry within 90 days.
Get the Qualities You Want in a Bootcamp
We use icons to make browsing bootcamps easy for you. Use this breakdown to quickly identify program qualities you are looking for.
Accepts GI Bill®
Accepts the GI Bill® as funding for tuition.
Also Available In Person
This online bootcamp also offers in-person options.
Career Services
Offers career services to help you land your dream job after graduation.
CIRR Member
This bootcamp is a current member of the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting. Learn more at cirr.org.
Evening & Weekend Options
Bootcamps are offered during convenient evening and weekend hours.
Job Guarantee
Employment is guaranteed as soon as you finish your bootcamp.
Money-Back Guarantee
Tuition is refunded if you don't land a job within a given time frame after graduation. Visit the bootcamp website for terms and conditions.
Start for Free
No deposit is required to get started. Begin your bootcamp for $0.
Methodology
Bootcamp Ranking Guidelines
At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.
DevOps Jobs
Once you know how to manage an SQL database, you will have a good shot at landing one of these database design jobs: data analyst, SQL developer, or database administrator.
DevOps Engineer
The term DevOps comes from a collaboration of development and operations — DevOps engineers must have a strong familiarity with both. The job also requires coding, infrastructure management, and system architecture knowledge. These professionals must be adept in their DevOps skills, such as management, communication, and scripting. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t project the job growth of DevOps engineers specifically, it projects that jobs for software developers will grow 22% within the next decade.
Median Annual Salary
$122,997
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers
Software developers create computer applications and underlying device and network systems, while software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems and solve them. Software engineers oversee projects and plan the work. The BLS projects a 22% increase in software developer jobs between 2020 and 2030, with around 189,200 annual openings.
Median Annual Salary
$110,140
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Database administrators make sure that their companies’ databases run well. They design and build databases based on user needs and ensure their organizations’ data is secure. These professionals design databases that enable users to find the information they need quickly and easily. They also upgrade and perform maintenance on databases as needed.
Median Annual Salary (May 2022)
$131,490
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and oversee other IT professionals, including software developers and computer systems analysts. These professionals help determine information technology goals and implement computer systems to reach organizational goals. The BLS projects an 11% increase in positions for these professionals between 2020 and 2030, with around 42,400 openings annually.
Median Annual Salary (May 2022)
$159,010
What Are the Benefits of a DevOps Certification?
The demand for DevOps skills is growing. Professionals with a certification proving their proficiencies to potential employers are more likely to find opportunities. Certifications illustrate a potential hire has the knowledge and communication skills necessary to fill the role.
Getting certified for platforms like AWS, IBM, or Salesforce also adds value to your resume. Your earning potential grows as you acquire new skills in coding, software development, and administrative services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Learning R Programming
DevOps will take time and commitment if you’re new to software development. It’s a tactical approach to close the gap between software development and operations rather than a specific technology. The top soft skills you need for DevOps are communication, collaboration, and active listening.
DevOps professionals need to understand cloud technology and be skilled in one or more coding languages. Python, Java, and Javascript are among the most popular languages to learn at a coding bootcamp. Remember that DevOps is a professional journey, so you need to be flexible and continuously build hard and soft skills.
Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn, and A Cloud Guru offer free introductory courses. Students can open a paid subscription to complete specializations and earn certificates once they try a class. Check if the DevOp bootcamp you’re interested in has free introductory courses to prepare you for an intensive program.
Students who thrive with hands-on learning can access free courses that utilize Azure, Cloud Playground, and GCP sandboxes. Another way to learn DevOps for free is to go straight to the platform, such as AWS. The AWS structure takes learners from getting started on the platform to exam certification readiness in four short courses.
If you’re a complete beginner, take a free course and learn about DevOps culture and best practices. Next, consider a coding bootcamp to learn a popular programming language like Python. If you want a more general education, try a DevOps bootcamp that covers topics like network architecture, network security, and deploying software.
Ultimately, the best way to learn DevOps is to commit to continuous education. DevOps professionals are generalists who understand the best practices that help development and operations teams collaborate. To that end, build foundational knowledge in core processes, technical tools, and emerging technologies.
Feature Image: Nitat Termmee / Moment / Getty Images
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Updated January 11, 2021