DevOps for Women: History and Advice from a Senior Engineer

A Senior DevOps Engineer at Awem Games is responsible for optimizing and automating software development and deployment processes. Key responsibilities include managing cloud infrastructure, monitoring systems, and implementing CI/CD practices to improve teamwork efficiency. The position requires deep knowledge of system administration, networking technologies, and containerization, as well as excellent scripting skills. An important aspect of the job is collaborating with developers to improve testing and product delivery processes. Experience with tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms is an asset. A Senior DevOps Engineer at Awem Games plays a key role in ensuring the stability and scalability of gaming solutions, which directly impacts the quality of user experience.

His hobbies include cycling, exploring the architecture of Belarus, reading, and running.

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I have experience working in various companies and positions, including outsourcing. I also completed management training, which helped me expand my knowledge in this area. Over the past couple of years, I have been actively developing my career, learning, and obtaining certifications, which has become one of my main passions. My focus on professional growth and continuous learning allows me to remain competitive in the job market.

How I Came to DevOps

I was embarrassed to share this story for a long time when I worked at the middle level, but when I became a senior, I decided to tell everyone. At my first job in IT, I managed all processes together with a colleague. Among our responsibilities were DevOps tasks, which took up almost half of our working time. This experience became an important stage in my professional development and helped me better understand how to integrate DevOps approaches into the team's daily work.

Six months later, a significant event happened - I deleted the production server. Yes, I deleted it, not shut it down, because we are talking about production servers that stored important code. This decision was the result of careful analysis and the recognition of the need to optimize work. Deleting production allowed me to focus on improving development and testing processes, which ultimately increased the quality of the product and simplified the team's future work.

It sounds pretty bleak. Even though we didn't have a million users, the results were disappointing. I deleted all the virtual machines and set a timer for January 1st, hoping for changes. However, I forgot about it. When I remembered January 3rd, it turned out there was nothing left.

When I was just starting my career, I faced a serious problem that I couldn't solve on my own. Finally, I decided to reach out to my boss, who was the same age as me now. To my surprise, he reacted calmly. Instead of firing me or yelling at me, he said, "I understand, these situations happen. We didn't create an effective system ourselves. Let's figure it out and fix it."

We restored all the data and developed an effective backup system, as well as implemented additional safeguards to prevent a similar situation from happening again. This experience prompted me to consider moving into DevOps, as I became interested in the problem-solving process. Deleting the production system was a key moment in my career.

In IT, there are two types of specialists: those who create new solutions, and those who optimize and structure existing ones. I belong to the second category, and it is these professionals who become DevOps engineers. These specialists play a key role in ensuring the efficient operation of software development and operations. They focus on process automation, improving collaboration between teams, and implementing best practices, which contributes to faster and higher-quality product delivery.

Can a girl work in DevOps?

I am an engineer working in DevOps. Although this profession is still not so common among girls, I hope for this to change. Gradually, there is a growing interest among women in technology and engineering, which contributes to their increased presence in this important field.

Everything we have is largely determined by two factors - social environment and family. In my family, there were no stereotypes that "this profession is not for girls." However, in social environments, for example, at university, I often encountered the opinion that girls have no place in professions such as DevOps or systems administration. The maximum acceptable roles for women, according to those around me, were limited to development, testing, or business analytics.

When I worked at the middle level, many people wanted to know how I became a DevOps engineer. There are prejudices that women can't be system administrators or DevOps engineers. However, when I reached the senior level, questions about my career path ceased. Perhaps this is due to my accumulated experience, or perhaps to changing trends in the industry. It is important to note that women are successfully working in technical fields, and their contribution to DevOps should not be underestimated.

I never seriously pursued system administration, as it's not really my field. DevOps, unlike system administration, emphasizes working with cloud services and virtual machines. However, installing and configuring operating systems such as Windows and Linux is something that not only men but also women can do. Although I don't have much knowledge of hardware, I know women who are passionate about this field and can even solder. This confirms that there are no gender barriers in IT, and women can successfully tackle technical tasks.

DevOps work is truly associated with a high degree of responsibility, and the stereotype that women can't handle such tasks is outdated. In practice, we see many women successfully working in responsible roles: doctors, financial directors, scientists, and many others. These examples prove that women are capable not only of bearing responsibility but also of achieving success in high-tech and complex fields. It is important to develop a culture of equality and support women in various industries, including DevOps, where their contribution can be invaluable.

My mother is a chief accountant, which is a very responsible job. The chief accountant and director are the first to bear responsibility if problems are identified by the tax authorities. In our modern world, women often take on significant responsibilities, and this situation is becoming the norm.

Surprisingly, none of the employers I interviewed with asked me traditional female questions like: "When are you getting married?" or "When are you having children?" This was a real relief, especially considering that many of my friends from other professional fields face similar questions. The absence of such personal questions in interviews underscores a progressive approach to evaluating candidates based on their professional qualities and experience, and not their personal lives.

When applying for a new job, colleagues are often surprised that a woman works as a DevOps specialist. However, this surprise quickly disappears.

What my work day looks like

When I worked in an office, my work schedule included daily meetings, but now we just communicate on Slack at set times. This transition from traditional meetings to digital communications has significantly simplified the process of information exchange and increased work flexibility.

This is what my workplace looks like Photo: Ganna Novikova's personal archive

Desktop Screenshot: Ganna Novikova for Skillbox Media

I have a Kanban board where I plan my tasks for the week. Every morning, I write down what I plan to do, update the task status, and prioritize tasks. When incidents or errors arise, I prioritize them and deal with them first. This helps me manage my time and resources effectively and ensures that all planned tasks are completed. This approach to work organization minimizes risks and increases productivity.

I have a colleague, a middle engineer, with whom we collaborate on specific tasks. I periodically provide him with advice and recommendations. I also need to regularly coordinate with the developers, as the main goal of my work is to optimize their processes and create a comfortable working environment.

What tools do I use in my work?

Kubernetes. This is my main tool. I am so interested in working with it that I even got certified, and did it actually of my own free will, and not at the request of the employer. The title of Certified Kubernetes Administrator is already interesting to recruiters, and Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist is even a little more than required by the vast majority of vacancies.
Pipelines in GitLab for developers.
Istio service mesh for managing distributed applications.
Amazon Web Services for virtual servers and cloud databases.

Soft skills play an important role in my professional activity. I have well-developed interpersonal skills, which, in my observations, is quite typical for many women in our industry. I often noticed how developers, competing with each other, avoided communication, even when they needed to clarify details. In such situations, I became the liaison, helping to establish communication and resolve any issues that arose. This highlights the importance of soft skills in technology, where effective communication can significantly improve team productivity.

There is a common belief that DevOps engineers are more toxic than developers. However, from my experience, I can say that this is not true – I don’t recall any toxic colleagues on my team. On the contrary, DevOps engineers often need to find common ground with developers, which requires a high level of diplomacy and communication skills. This interaction is essential for the successful completion of projects and the achievement of shared goals.

As you move toward a senior position, soft skills become increasingly important. At this stage, it is essential to be able to effectively discuss various problems and solutions with the development team. The ability to argue your point of view and find common ground with colleagues is becoming a key aspect of successful work. Developing communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to interact constructively will help not only in solving current problems but also in creating a productive atmosphere within the team.

How to acquire the necessary skills

For a successful start in DevOps, it is important to have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of the Linux operating system, including its architecture, existing processes, and firewall principles. Necessary skills include a confident proficiency in Bash and Python, the ability to write scripts, and the ability to work with files. A full list of required skills and certifications includes: knowledge of system administration, experience with containerization (e.g., Docker), an understanding of CI/CD principles, and experience with cloud technologies. Possessing these skills will significantly increase your chances of a successful career in DevOps.

Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Kubernetes certifications are now available through Udemy courses, where tuition is only $10. I personally learned Kubernetes through this platform. I also recommend checking out the free AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner course, which is a great start to understanding the fundamentals of cloud technologies. These certifications will help you improve your skills and improve your career prospects in cloud computing.

Learning Linux is an important step for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of IT. There are many resources, both paid and free, including courses on platforms like Udemy and tutorials on YouTube. Personally, I learned Linux by installing it on my computer and figuring out the system myself. You can install Linux as a second operating system on a hard drive, in a virtual machine, or in Docker. This approach allows you to gain practical experience and better understand the functionality of Linux.

Mastering Bash and Python scripts is an important step for developing and automating processes. You can learn the basics by reading various articles, for example, on the Habr platform, which offers high-quality materials on Bash. It's also worth paying attention to the tasks available in search engines by searching for "Bash scripting and Python scripting interview questions." Interviews often include tasks involving parsing files and changing their names using scripts. Solving such tasks not only helps you prepare for interviews but also significantly improves your practical programming skills, which will be useful later in your career.

When working with cloud services, scripts are an integral part of automation and data management. For example, I recently developed a Python script that interacts with a cloud service. This script allows you to retrieve environment variables, check their compliance with a specified list, and identify those that are missing from this list. The script then removes unnecessary variables via an API. Using such scripts significantly simplifies the data management process and increases work efficiency.

Algorithm problems are an important aspect of interview preparation, although they are often not asked. However, knowledge of algorithms is useful for solving practical problems and improving programming skills. It's recommended to practice on platforms like LeetCode, which offers a variety of challenges of varying difficulty. This will not only help you prepare for interviews but also deepen your understanding of algorithms and data structures. Working with monitoring and metrics is an important part of IT infrastructure management. We recommend checking out Google's SRE Books, which covers key aspects of this topic. Referring to this book during an interview can positively impact your impression with employers and demonstrate your expertise in Site Reliability Engineering. A proper understanding of monitoring and metrics helps improve system efficiency and service quality.

Who is a DevOps engineer suited for?

Key personal qualities for a successful career are perseverance and tenacity. These qualities allow for a deeper understanding of the problem and effective identification of minor errors, especially in the early stages of a professional career. In addition, a willingness to work irregular hours is important, especially when unexpected difficulties arise. Developing these qualities contributes to increased efficiency and professional growth.

Every engineer faces situations where they are required to work on weekends or evenings due to unexpected issues. This makes maintaining a work-life balance challenging, and many, including myself, strive for it, but don't always succeed. The most important quality in our profession is responsibility, as we are responsible for the smooth operation of servers and must monitor their condition. Our job is to ensure the stability and reliability of systems, which requires constant attention and a willingness to resolve issues at any time.

In DevOps, you're faced with a wide range of tasks, including testing, development, and security. This provides excellent opportunities to transition into related fields, and many professionals become developers. However, it's important to remember that to succeed in DevOps, you need at least a basic understanding of all of these areas. This multidisciplinary approach allows you to effectively solve problems and adapt to rapidly changing market demands.

The DevOps engineering profession is ideal for women. I value the opportunity to work among smart and talented people from whom I can draw knowledge and experience. Every day in this field brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. If working with operating systems, servers, and cloud technologies interests you, don't listen to the doubts of others and boldly choose the path to DevOps. This field offers many opportunities and promotes the development of professional skills.

The profession is suitable for people of both genders and offers numerous opportunities for career advancement. In just a few years, you will be able to outpace your competitors and take a respectable position in a successful company. If your chosen profession does not meet your expectations, there is always the opportunity to move into a related field and continue developing. This makes the specialty a universal choice for those who strive for professional success and personal happiness.

How to become a senior and where to go next

My colleague rightly noted: "A senior is a specialist who is assigned a task, and he himself finds the optimal solution, without asking unnecessary questions." At the age of almost 26, I reached the level of senior. This path took me five and a half years, and I must admit that is quite a long time. There were times when I put things off, even though I could have been more efficient, achieved results faster, and taken on additional responsibilities more often.

Becoming a senior IT professional is possible in 3-4 years, and I know many capable professionals who have achieved this. Achieving this goal requires significant self-education, but there are no jobs in IT that don't require it. Continuously developing skills, learning new technologies, and participating in projects are key factors for career advancement.

Don't be afraid to change jobs. In my observations, women are less likely to make this decision. Often, a team gets used to you and values you, but doesn't provide opportunities for growth and development. I myself faced a situation where I was stuck in one position and struggling with burnout. Instead, I should have simply changed jobs. Moving to a new position can open new horizons and lead to professional and personal development.

Changing companies becomes less daunting each time. In IT, this is a popular career development method that promotes professional development and income growth. Moving to a new job not only allows you to master new technologies and approaches but also expand your professional network, which opens up additional career opportunities.

I am looking to grow as a team lead because I have strong communication skills and am ready to actively develop in this area. My high empathy allows me to sense the mood of my colleagues and recognize when someone is experiencing difficulties or thinking about quitting, even if it is not noticeable to others.