By Hafsa Rizvi

You're sitting at a tea shop scrolling through job sites, and suddenly every other posting mentions "DevOps Engineer - High Salary!" Your cousin who studied IT is now working remotely for a Singapore company and buying the latest iPhone while you're still figuring out your career path. The question hits you - can someone like me actually do DevOps?

The short answer? It depends on what's between your ears, not what's on your degree certificate.

The Great DevOps Myth Buster
Let's address the elephant in the room first. Half the people think DevOps is some mystical IT wizardry that requires a computer science degree from the University of Colombo and ten years of coding experience. The other half thinks it's just another tech buzzword they can master over a weekend YouTube binge.

Both groups are wrong.

DevOps is fundamentally about solving problems - specifically, the problem of getting software from a developer's laptop to users' hands efficiently and reliably. Think of it like coordinating a wedding in Colombo during monsoon season. You need backup plans, clear communication, proper timing, and the ability to handle chaos when things inevitably go sideways.

Who Actually Belongs in DevOps

• The Problem Solver: Meet Sandali. She studied accounting but spent her free time figuring out why her family's WiFi kept dropping during Zoom calls. She researched, tested different configurations and eventually set up a mesh network that works perfectly. That curiosity and systematic approach to problems? That's DevOps DNA.
• The Logical Thinker: Rohan never touched a computer until university, but he was the guy everyone asked to troubleshoot their phone issues. He approaches problems methodically - identifies the issue, researches solutions, tests systematically, and documents what works. His background in mechanical engineering taught him systems thinking, which translates beautifully to DevOps.
• The Process Improver: Chamika worked at a garment factory, constantly finding ways to streamline production workflows. She noticed bottlenecks, suggested improvements, and coordinated between different departments. Replace "garment production" with "software deployment" and you've got a DevOps engineer.
• The common thread? These people see problems as puzzles to solve, not obstacles to avoid. They don't give up when something breaks - they get curious about why it broke and how to prevent it next time.

Who Should Think Twice

• The Quick-Fix Seekers: If you're looking at DevOps because someone mentioned the salary potential and you're hoping to fast-track your way to financial freedom without putting in serious effort, this field will humble you quickly. DevOps requires patience, continuous learning, and genuine interest in understanding how systems work.
• The Blame-Game Players: In traditional IT environments, when something breaks, there's often finger-pointing between development and operations teams. DevOps engineers are the peacekeepers who fix issues regardless of whose "fault" it is. If you're someone who says "that's not my job" or looks for others to blame when things go wrong, this role will be frustrating for everyone involved.
• The Surface Skimmers: DevOps touches everything - cloud platforms, scripting, monitoring, security, networking. You don't need to be an expert in all areas immediately, but you need genuine curiosity about how things connect. If you're someone who memorises steps without understanding why they work, you'll struggle when faced with unique problems.

The Linux Gateway Drug
If you want to do DevOps seriously, you need to get comfortable with Linux. It's not negotiable, like trying to be a tuk-tuk driver without knowing Colombo roads.

But here's the encouraging part - Linux isn't as scary as it looks. Start with Ubuntu on an old laptop or use virtual machines. Spend time in the command line daily. Install software, manage files, and understand permissions. Think of it as learning a new language - awkward at first, but eventually becomes second nature.

The best DevOps engineers I know didn't start with massive IT backgrounds. They started with curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to break things (safely) to understand how they work.

Your DevOps Journey Starts Here
Whether you're a fresh graduate, career changer, or someone stuck in a job that doesn't excite you, DevOps offers genuine opportunities. The Sri Lankan tech market is hungry for skilled DevOps professionals, and remote work opportunities mean you can work for international companies while living here.

But success requires honest self-assessment. Do you enjoy solving complex problems? Are you comfortable with continuous learning? Can you stay calm when systems fail at 2 AM? If yes, welcome to the club.

If not, there's no shame in choosing a different path. The tech industry is vast, with room for everyone's unique strengths.

DevOps isn't about having the perfect background - it's about having the right mindset. The rest, you can learn.