Career Path: How to Become a DevOps Manager
High-tech fields are becoming more complex as new technologies emerge, with IT roles and sectors crossing paths, merging and beyond to meet the needs of products and services. DevOps is one such occupation, coming from a need for a bridge to be built between developer and operations teams in high tech companies that deliver new software. DevOps Managers are essential in keeping their DevOps engineer teams motivated and on track to deliver assigned projects. Experts agree that DevOps is evolving and continue to grow, with plenty of opportunities for DevOps Managers.
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Career Path: How to Become a DevOps Manager
High-tech fields are becoming more complex as new technologies emerge, with IT roles and sectors crossing paths, merging and beyond to meet the needs of products and services. DevOps is one such occupation, coming from a need for a bridge to be built between developer and operations teams in high tech companies that deliver new software. DevOps Managers are essential in keeping their DevOps engineer teams motivated and on track to deliver assigned projects. Experts agree that DevOps is evolving and continue to grow, with plenty of opportunities for DevOps Managers.
Getting Through the Door
Seeking to obtain a starting position as a DevOps Manager takes a mix of education and experience. This usually begins with holding an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field. Having worked previously as a systems manager, an IT project manager, a database administrator and so on will help the hiring manager understand your skill level is where it needs to be to successfully undertake a DevOps Manager role. Standout traits may include:
- Specializing in writing code with a focus on correcting cloud platforms.
- Experience with integration technology.
- Automation is second nature.
- An aptitude for cloud coding languages
- A deft hand with different operating systems
Finding a company with a large dedicated IT operations sector can also help you make entry as a DevOps Manager. These large enterprises are more likely to have expansive DevOps teams with employees of varying experience levels.
Degrees and Experience
Though a DevOps Manager may need any number of educational and experience level depending on the hiring company, most DevOps Managers typically have a degree in computer science or a related field. Some companies may require graduate studies, but this is something that may come later and not while attaining an entry-level. Often times, employers like their DevOps Managers to have certification in DevOps to gain a thorough grasp on DevOps philosophies.
DevOps Managers gain experience by working through the ranks as a DevOps engineer or through other IT specialties, such as in programming and database admin. Being able to display a proficiency with various technical tools and languages, especially those listed above, as well as having leadership experience is key to gaining entry into a DevOps Manager role.
Working as a Junior Level DevOps Manager
DevOps Managers at the junior level have already successfully completed countless software deployments. Daily, they guide cross-functional teams through the submitting projects. They are beginning to be trusted with more responsibilities from their bosses and may work with more IT staff, whom they oversee and help guide with DevOps procedures. As they move from the junior level to the senior, their skills must continue to sharpen, thrive with fostering a positive and collaborative work environment amongst teams and ensure their technical fluency keeps evolving as well.
Moving up the Ranks
With motivation and determination, DevOps Managers can certainly ascend to any level they want to in their career. This often involves the ability to demonstrate enthusiasm for the work, taking the time to understand the work colleagues do, sharpening your interpersonal skills and constantly checking in on the latest and greatest technology trends. These are just examples of the many ways a skilled DevOps Manager can move up the career ladder. In general, showing your interest in your work and your colleagues, going the distance to take on new responsibilities and taking calculated risks are great ways to show your employers you are ready for the next step.
Advance Your Career: How to Become a Senior Level DevOps Manager
DevOps Managers who strive to attain a senior position need several years of working experience and personal drive. Though the world of DevOps can seem confusing, DevOps Managers geared towards a senior position seem to make their work appear effortless, never breaking a sweat as they manage several engineers and various colleagues across different IT departments and their work. Completing assigned projects and going beyond obvious responsibilities can help guide you towards a path to senior level status. Taking opportunities to further bring your team together in a more efficient manner is one example. Uncovering a technological shortcut and saving your company time and money is another means to move ahead and prove yourself indispensable.
Study the Core Fields
Having a working understanding of the various fields at work around you will give the DevOps Manager a better understanding of their colleagues, the company as a whole and invariably, the relationship of it all to their own position. In the DevOps world, relatable fields include frontend, backend and full-stack developers who build and maintain applications; mobile engineers, who create application software for mobile devices; data engineers, who wield an arsenal of technologies to build and maintain data structures and many more. By understanding these professions and how they develop software, deploy applications and create databases will make you a better DevOps Manager.
Invest in Yourself
Just like how investing time in core fields related to DevOps Management can make you a better DevOps Manager, so too can investing time in yourself. Consider obtaining a graduate or postgraduate degree at some point during your career, particularly as you try to move forward in levels. Keep an eye out for online certifications and training you can attend remotely, so as to not disrupt your workday. These kinds of experiences help broaden your knowledge of DevOps Management field and make you a more competitive employee. Not only will your employers appreciate this, but so will you.
Don’t Stop at DevOps Management
The field of DevOps Management can open the door to other roles that can keep your interest piqued. Because DevOps is such a complex and ever-changing field, being adaptable is key to the continued success of a DevOps Manager. Staying attuned to the trends in the IT world is a way of understanding advances in tech and how it may affect your company and software deployments. This can be done by subscribing to online tech journals and attending area conferences relating to advancements in IT. Also, take every chance to network with other professionals in the DevOps world so you can hear about industry trends before they hit, using these cutting-edge tools, programs and languages in your own operations. Having the ability to stay flexible in this diverse field is another great way of expanding your knowledge base beyond that of DevOps Management, so make sure to enjoy opportunities as they arise.
DevOps Manager Job Description
DevOps Managers guide teams to the successful submission of IT projects. They follow an approach that fosters collaboration, as opposed to dissecting and partitioning departments. DevOps Managers have to be technical, creative, logical and wear many hats in their role. Under the guidance of a skilled DevOps Manager, companies can find their product releases to be of the highest quality and deployed with lightning speed. They will also enjoy DevOps engineers who are thoroughly motivated and understand the goal of each project and the business at large.
At a time when there are many misperceptions in the tech world, having a DevOps Manager on board is set to make a company more efficient, profitable and considered a force to reckon with.
What We Need Your Help With
- Helping the entire IT department operate more efficiently.
- Guiding projects through every phase successfully.
- Making coordination between departments more effectual so as to avoid delays and miscommunications.
- Utilizing a number of current and emerging technologies to assist in workflow.
- Assessing team member strengths and weaknesses.
We Look For
- A consummate team player.
- Someone who can juggle many balls at once.
- When pressure mounts, you’ve only begun to hit your stride.
- A desire to keep learning new tricks.
These Would Also Be Nice
- Going above and beyond general responsibilities.
- Identifying weak areas in hardware, software and operations and implementing better alternatives.
- Top-notch interpersonal skills.
- The ability to balance optimizing the needs of the client with those of the business when engaged in external projects.
Senior DevOps Manager Career Paths: Where to Go from Here
DevOps Managers at the senior level are a respected member of their field and have spent years utilizing DevOps methodologies to help their IT departments thrive. A senior position may be the crowning achievement a DevOps Manager has always hoped for, or they may see it as an opportunity to try new ventures.
For DevOps Managers wishing to move on to a new but relatable career, this is most often seen in a switch to several fields. Some DevOps Managers thrive on achieving business goals and so a move to be a business operations manager may be a natural choice. Others may enjoy the more hands-on, technical aspects of DevOps Management, so moving on and working as an industrial designer may be a dream come true.
DevOps Management isn’t going anywhere fast, so it is conceivable that a senior DevOps Manager will be happy to stay where they are until retirement, mentoring junior colleagues and watching technology revolutionize before their eyes.
