"Before my transition into DevOps I thought that one’s career was directly linked to what one had studied. Fortunately, I was wrong. With the right program and the right attitude, you can completely switch your career and change your future!"
Ana is one of our successful graduates,
having completed both the DevOps Bootcamp and the DevSecOps Bootcamp 🙌
Meet Ana 👋
Hi, I'm Ana Pedra, and I'm a Cloud DevOps Engineer at Spitch. I'm originally from Spain 🇪🇸, but living and working in Switzerland.
Spitch is a global provider of B2B and B2C Conversational AI solutions.
One of my main responsibilities is to deploy Spitch solutions for clients using container orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker, and Podman, while also implementing and managing cloud-based infrastructure (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) through Infrastructure as Code (Terraform).
Changing Career from Senior Manufacturing Engineer...
For 8 years, Ana had built a successful career in the medical devices industry. She was a highly skilled MSc Manufacturing Engineer with a high salary.
But even after reaching professional milestones, she felt unfulfilled.
She craved work that challenged her creativity, aligned with her passion for technology, and offered continuous growth.
Her motivation grew as she learned about significant impact DevOps professionals have on software quality and delivery speed.
These inspired her to transition to DevOps, and later, she added DevSecOps to her skill set to address the growing importance of security in software development.
Let's explore her unique journey 👇
What did you do professionally before starting to learn DevOps?
I was a Senior Manufacturing Engineer in the Medical Devices field, where I worked for many years.
Eventually, I began to feel stuck and realized I needed a change.
That’s when I discovered that a career in Tech aligned more closely with my aspirations.
What motivated you to switch to DevOps and later add DevSecOps to your journey?
I have always wanted to break into the tech industry, and I was particularly drawn to the variety of tools in DevOps and the continuous learning opportunities it offers. 🤓
Additionally, I appreciated how DevOps professionals can significantly impact business outcomes by enhancing software quality and fast delivery.
Editor's Note:
One thing is for sure: In DevOps, you have endless opportunity for continuous growth 😄👇
Why did you choose TechWorld with Nana Bootcamps for both DevOps and DevSecOps? What struggles or motivations led you to enroll?
I was looking for a program that didn’t just focus on theory, but also gave me the chance to practice with hands-on exercises.
Nana’s bootcamp felt like the perfect fit, because it had exactly what I needed to build my skills.
Before this, I had tried other training programs in Data Science and Data Engineering, but I struggled to find good options for DevOps. Often their curriculum was narrower than Nana's bootcamp.
Also I already knew Nana from her YouTube videos, which helped me understand tools like Docker and Kubernetes. So I knew the quality of work.
That’s why choosing her bootcamp felt like the obvious next step for me. The broader scope and I had the confidence that it was going to be a good program
What did you enjoy most about the DevOps Bootcamp? And what stood out for you in the DevSecOps Bootcamp?
What I enjoyed most was the wide range of topics it covered.
It included everything from Linux/bash scripting, Git, Gradle, and npm to Cloud & IaaS, Artifact Repo Managers, Containers, CI/CD, Kubernetes on AWS, IaC with Terraform, Python, Configuration Management with Ansible, and Monitoring with Prometheus...
That's literally EVERY technology I needed to start working as a DevOps engineer. That's very rare. In other bootcamps they always miss some critical tools, like Kubernetes or Ansible or Monitoring tools.
I also loved the hands-on exercises. They were challenging, but just right for getting practical experience with the tools I had just learned.
This advanced bootcamp was the perfect continuation to further deepen and expand my skills to become a real expert in the field :)
“What stood out to me was the sheer number of tools available to apply security to your DevOps pipelines. When I started the bootcamp, I wasn’t aware of many of these tools.
Editor's Note: The goal is NOT to learn as many tools as possible. However, they add up, when integrating security in each and every layer from Application security, Container security, Cloud security, Kubernetes security, Secrets management, Access Management, Compliance etc. Download the syllabus for DevOps or DevSecOps a full overview.
Additionally, I gained a deep understanding of the critical role security plays in DevOps and how dangerous it can be when not applied correctly.
Real Talk. How has the knowledge from both programs prepared you for real-life work? What type of projects are you now working on?
Currently, I am engaged in projects involving complex deployments using Kubernetes, Docker, and Podman, as well as advanced security practices in the cloud.
I am also implementing Istio to ensure secure service-to-service communication with mutual TLS (mTLS) encryption, fine-grained access control, and comprehensive policy enforcement, while enhancing observability through built-in metrics, logs, and tracing.
These tasks require a comprehensive understanding of both DevOps and DevSecOps principles, all of which were thoroughly covered during the bootcamps, which enables me to work on such complex projects.
“The hands-on projects and practical training provided by these bootcamps have been instrumental in preparing me for the complexities of real-world environments.”
I also played a key role in migrating a large-scale application from Docker to Kubernetes by debugging dozens of configuration issues, preventing deployment delays and sparing the client significant headaches.
"My colleagues were impressed by how quickly I could tackle complex DevOps challenges and contribute meaningfully to projects, considering my short time in the field 😊"
You secured a Cloud DevOps Engineer role. Congrats! 👏
How did these bootcamps contribute to landing the job?
The knowledge I gained from the bootcamps was invaluable in preparing me for technical interviews!
In today’s highly competitive job market, these interviews are challenging, and you need to know your stuff. 🫡
Interviewers extensively questioned me about Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Networking, Terraform, Version Control, Ansible, and CI/CD - all topics that were comprehensively and very well explained in the bootcamp. So I felt well prepared to answer them.
The hands-on projects were particularly valuable, as they gave me the confidence to discuss my practical experience with these tools during interviews.
When asked about my specific projects, I could draw from real examples I had built during the bootcamp.
This practical foundation, not only enabled me to answer technical questions with confidence, but has been crucial in enabling me to work effectively on any project
Has there been a significant difference in your earnings in this new role?
My journey is somewhat unique, as I was already in a senior position in my previous career and earned a good salary.
However, I must admit that my salary as a DevOps Engineer was significantly higher than what I earned in my first role in my previous career.
Furthermore, the salary prospects in this field appear very promising, especially once you gain a few years of experience, as my research has shown.
Editor's Note:
What unique insights did you gain from the DevSecOps Bootcamp specifically?
It gave me unique insights into how to seamlessly integrate security into DevOps pipelines.
I learned how to automate security checks, detect and remediate vulnerabilities, and secure cloud infrastructures, particularly within AWS.
The specialized training equipped me to take on additional responsibilities, such as implementing secure CI/CD pipelines, managing secrets effectively, and ensuring compliance through automated scanning and remediation processes.
What recommendations or tips would you give to someone starting their journey in DevOps or DevSecOps?
I know that getting into a career in DevOps or DevSecOps is challenging. But at the same time it's incredibly rewarding!
So here are my key recommendations, which I think will help guide your journey 😊
✅ Build a Strong Foundation
Start by developing a solid understanding of software development, IT operations, and security principles. Earning relevant degrees or certifications, such as the Certified DevSecOps Practitioner, can be highly beneficial.
✅ Gain Practical Experience
Engage in hands-on projects, internships, or lab environments to apply your theoretical knowledge. Practical experience is essential for mastering the tools and workflows commonly used in the industry.
✅ Learn Automation and Scripting
Proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Bash is critical for automating tasks and processes in DevOps and DevSecOps roles.
✅ Develop Soft Skills
Strong communication and collaboration skills are crucial, as DevOps and DevSecOps roles often involve working with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration and robust security.
Feel free to share anything else about your experience!
Before transitioning into DevOps, I believed for many years that a person’s career was inherently tied to what they had studied.
Thankfully, I discovered that this isn’t true.
"For anyone feeling unfulfilled in their current career, here’s the good news: with the right program and mindset, it’s entirely possible to change your career completely and build a new future."
Take tech, for example. Even in challenging job markets, it’s possible to break in—as I did.
With hard work and a solid educational program to guide you, you can achieve your goals and go as far as you want.
It’s possible. You can do it.
If I could make this change, so can you! 😊
Do YOU want to upskill in DevOps or Cloud?
Ana's success story is proof that with the right mindset, dedication, and learning resources, you can transform your career and achieve your goals.
Whether you’re new to DevOps or looking to deepen your expertise, the DevOps Bootcamp might just be the push you need to get to the next level 🚀
So if you too, want to level up your skills with tremendous career opportunities, that's exactly what we do best. We've already helped 1,000s of engineers on this journey with our Bootcamps! 🤗
We can help you go from absolutely zero DevOps knowledge to becoming a senior engineer, who is proficient in DevOps within just few months, with our meticulously structured, fully up-to-date DevOps Bootcamp 🚀
Before starting with the DevOps bootcamp, you can download the extensive syllabus to see how our program can help make YOUR CAREER DREAM come true.