DevOps Evangelist

Interested in DevOps Evangelist role? With a master's degree in Computer Science, you can either take a direct path into this career or pivot towards this field from an adjacent career with the right kind of upskilling or reskilling. Gaining hands-on experience in relevant tools such as Kubernetes will put you well on your way towards becoming an effective DevOps evangelist.

What is the role of a DevOps evangelist?

DevOps evangelists are responsible for promoting and spreading the adoption of DevOps (software development and IT operations) culture and practices within an organization. They oversee the implementation of DevOps principles, tools, and techniques, ensuring its effective integration throughout the organization.

By doing this, DevOps evangelists aim to improve collaboration, communication, and coordination between development and operations teams, leading to faster and more efficient software development and delivery.

Key responsibilities of DevOps evangelists

• Developing and presenting training programs, workshops, and presentations to educate stakeholders about DevOps practices, tools, and benefits.
• Leading and facilitating the implementation of DevOps principles and practices within the organization, including cultural change and process improvement.
• Collaborating with product development and IT operations teams to identify and resolve bottlenecks and improve the software development and delivery process.
• Promoting and evangelizing DevOps best practices externally at conferences, meetups, and online communities.
• Working to build an active community that shares knowledge and expertise in DevOps.

DevOps evangelists often specialize in a particular DevOps tool or methodology. They are passionate about sharing their knowledge and helping others to improve their DevOps practices.

How to become a DevOps evangelist

Becoming a DevOps evangelist typically requires a strong understanding of DevOps principles, tools, and practices. A master's degree in Computer Science or a related field is a common educational path, particularly if you're transitioning from an adjacent career.

Experience in software development, IT operations, or a similar role is also valuable. Additionally, strong technical writing, presentation, and facilitation skills are essential.

If you are new to DevOps, there are many online courses and resources available to help you learn the basics. The courses listed above can provide valuable hands-on experience in Kubernetes and other important DevOps tools.

Career growth and prospects

DevOps evangelists can play a vital role in helping their organization adopt and implement DevOps practices. As DevOps becomes more widely adopted, the demand for skilled DevOps evangelists is likely to continue to grow.

With experience, DevOps evangelists can advance to leadership roles, such as DevOps manager or DevOps director. They may also choose to specialize in a particular area of DevOps, such as cloud computing or security.

Transferable skills

The skills that you develop as a DevOps evangelist are transferable to a variety of other roles, including:

• Software development manager
• IT operations manager
• Project manager
• Technical writer
• Consultant

Day-to-day responsibilities

As a DevOps evangelist, your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Developing and delivering training programs on DevOps principles and practices.
• Meeting with stakeholders to discuss their needs and challenges with DevOps adoption.
• Automating DevOps processes and procedures.
• Writing and publishing blog posts, articles, and other content about DevOps.
• Speaking at conferences and events about DevOps.

No two days are exactly the same for a DevOps evangelist. You will need to be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of your organization.

Challenges

As a DevOps evangelist, you may face a number of challenges, including:

• Helping non-technical stakeholders to understand the benefits of DevOps.
• Overcoming resistance to change from traditional IT and development teams.
• Getting buy-in from senior management for DevOps initiatives.
• Measuring the ROI of DevOps initiatives.
• Keeping up with the latest DevOps trends and technologies.

These challenges can be overcome with the right mix of technical skills, business acumen, and interpersonal skills.

Projects

As a DevOps evangelist, you may work on a variety of projects, including:

• Developing and implementing a DevOps training program.
• Creating a DevOps community of practice.
• Automating a DevOps pipeline.
• Implementing a DevOps toolchain.
• Presenting on DevOps at conferences and events.

These projects can help you to build your skills and expertise in DevOps, and to demonstrate your value to your organization.

Personal growth opportunities

As a DevOps evangelist, you will have the opportunity to learn about the latest DevOps trends and technologies. You will also develop your leadership, communication, and presentation skills.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in your organization. You can help your team to improve their productivity and efficiency, and to deliver higher-quality software faster.

Personality traits and interests

If you are considering a career as a DevOps evangelist, you should have the following personality traits and interests:

• A strong interest in technology and software development.
• A passion for sharing your knowledge and helping others.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to think strategically and to see the big picture.
• A strong work ethic and a commitment to continuous learning.

Self-guided projects

If you are interested in becoming a DevOps evangelist, there are a few self-guided projects that you can complete to better prepare yourself for this role:

• Build a personal DevOps portfolio. This could include developing and deploying a DevOps pipeline, or creating a blog or website about DevOps.
• Contribute to open source DevOps projects. This is a great way to learn about DevOps and to gain experience in working with others on DevOps projects.
• Attend DevOps conferences and meetups. This is a great way to network with other DevOps professionals and to learn about the latest trends and technologies.

These projects can help you to build your skills and knowledge in DevOps, and to demonstrate your commitment to this field.

Online courses

Online courses can be a helpful way to learn about DevOps and to prepare for a career as a DevOps evangelist. The courses listed above can provide you with a solid foundation in DevOps principles, tools, and practices.

These courses can also help you to develop the skills that you need to be successful in this role, such as leadership, communication, and presentation skills.

However, it is important to note that online courses alone are not enough to prepare you for a career as a DevOps evangelist. You will also need to gain hands-on experience in DevOps projects and to develop your soft skills.

If you are serious about a career as a DevOps evangelist, then online courses can be a valuable tool to help you get started. However, you should also consider supplementing your online learning with real-world experience.