The tech world is filled with exciting and dynamic career paths, but if you’re looking for a field that combines technical expertise with problem-solving, collaboration, and impact, DevOps is an ideal choice. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom looking to re-enter the workforce or simply wanting to pivot into a rewarding and in-demand career, DevOps has a lot to offer.

In this blog post, we'll explain what DevOps is, why it's such an exciting career field for women, and how you can get started in DevOps, even if you're just beginning your journey into tech.

What is DevOps?

At its core, DevOps is a cultural and technical movement in software development and IT operations that aims to improve collaboration between development (Dev) and operations (Ops) teams. The goal is to streamline the software development lifecycle, reduce the time it takes to get products into production, and ensure that systems are more reliable, scalable, and secure.

DevOps professionals work on automating processes, managing infrastructure, and ensuring that software is continuously developed, tested, deployed, and monitored. This results in faster releases, better quality products, and increased collaboration across teams.

The DevOps process typically includes:

1.    Continuous Integration (CI): Developers continuously integrate code into a shared repository.

2.    Continuous Delivery (CD): Code is automatically tested and deployed to production environments.

3.    Automation: Repetitive tasks, such as testing and deployment, are automated to improve efficiency and reduce human error.

4.    Monitoring and Feedback: After deployment, continuous monitoring ensures that the system is running smoothly and gives feedback for improvements.

In short, DevOps is about making development and deployment faster, more efficient, and more collaborative.

Why DevOps is Perfect for Stay-at-Home Moms

If you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to break into tech, DevOps offers several advantages that make it an attractive career option:

1. Flexibility and Remote Opportunities

DevOps is known for its flexible work environment, and many companies offer remote or hybrid work options for DevOps professionals. As a stay-at-home mom, the flexibility to work from home or manage your own schedule is invaluable. Whether you're working part-time or full-time, you can balance your career in DevOps with your family responsibilities. The demand for DevOps engineers is high, and many companies understand the importance of offering flexible working conditions to attract top talent.

2. High Demand and Job Security

DevOps has become an essential part of the tech industry. Companies across the globe are adopting DevOps practices to remain competitive, and the demand for DevOps professionals continues to rise. According to recent data, the demand for DevOps engineers has been growing at an exponential rate, with companies offering higher salaries and excellent job security for skilled professionals. For stay-at-home moms who are ready to get back into the workforce, DevOps presents an opportunity to enter a fast-growing, high-demand field that promises stability and long-term career prospects.

3. No Need for a Traditional Development Background

One of the great things about DevOps is that it doesn’t require you to have a traditional software development background. While DevOps professionals need a basic understanding of coding, there is a strong emphasis on systems administration, automation, and process improvement. This means that if you have a background in IT, system administration, or even project management, you may find a natural fit in the DevOps world.

Additionally, the skills required in DevOps are often transferable from other fields, especially those involving problem-solving, attention to detail, and multitasking. As a stay-at-home mom, you’ve likely honed many of these skills in managing a household, organizing schedules, and troubleshooting issues — all of which are highly valuable in the DevOps field.

4. Great Earning Potential

DevOps professionals are among the highest-paid roles in the tech industry, with salaries that are significantly higher than the national average. In the U.S., the average salary for a DevOps engineer is well over $100,000 annually. As a stay-at-home mom looking to contribute financially to your family, DevOps offers a lucrative opportunity to earn a competitive income while enjoying the flexibility of working from home.

5. Opportunity for Growth and Learning

The world of DevOps is constantly evolving, with new tools, technologies, and best practices emerging all the time. This creates exciting opportunities for learning and growth. Whether you're interested in mastering new programming languages, working with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, or diving into automation tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Jenkins, there’s always something new to explore in DevOps. This dynamic and evolving nature of the field means you can continue to build your expertise and move up the career ladder in a rewarding way.

How to Get Started in DevOps

If you’re ready to jump into the world of DevOps, here’s how you can start:

1. Learn the Basics of DevOps

The first step to entering DevOps is learning the foundational skills. Here are some of the key areas you should focus on:

• Linux and Systems Administration: Many DevOps tools and processes are built around Linux servers. Familiarizing yourself with Linux commands and system administration is essential.
• Version Control: Tools like Git are essential for managing code changes in DevOps environments.
• Scripting and Automation: Learning languages like Bash, Python, or Ruby can help you automate tasks.
• CI/CD: Understand how continuous integration and continuous delivery work and the tools involved, like Jenkins and GitLab.
• Cloud Platforms: Familiarize yourself with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Containers and Orchestration: Learn how containers (using Docker) and orchestration tools (like Kubernetes) are used in DevOps.

There are many free and affordable resources to help you learn these skills. Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Pluralsight, and freeCodeCamp offer courses specifically focused on DevOps and related tools.

2. Hands-On Practice

Theory is important, but practical experience is key in DevOps. Set up your own personal projects, experiment with cloud services, and automate simple tasks using scripting. You can also contribute to open-source projects or collaborate with others on GitHub to practice your skills.

3. Get Certified

While not strictly necessary, certifications can help you stand out and demonstrate your commitment to learning. Consider certifications like:

• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
• Google Professional DevOps Engineer

4. Build a Portfolio

Even as a beginner, you can build a portfolio of projects that showcase your skills. Document your learning process and share your experiences on platforms like GitHub, where potential employers can see the code you’ve written and the projects you’ve worked on.

5. Network and Join DevOps Communities

Join DevOps-related communities to learn from others, share knowledge, and discover job opportunities. Some great places to network include:

• DevOps Subreddits (e.g., /r/devops)
• LinkedIn Groups
• DevOps Meetups
• Slack Channels (e.g., DevOps Chat)

Conclusion: The Future is DevOps

For stay-at-home moms who are ready to return to work or start a new career, DevOps offers an exciting, flexible, and highly rewarding path into the tech world. With its high demand, job security, and the ability to work remotely, DevOps provides an excellent opportunity to build a fulfilling career while still being present for your family.

By mastering the core skills, getting hands-on practice, and staying updated with the latest tools and technologies, you can break into the world of DevOps and join a community of professionals who are shaping the future of technology.

At The Coding Mum, we’re committed to helping you succeed. If you’re ready to take the leap into DevOps, we’re here to support you every step of the way!

Ready to get started? Start learning, practicing, and exploring the world of DevOps today!