r/Cloud • u/Unique-Ferret-612 • 4d ago

Deciding between Devops, Software Engineering, or Data Analytics

I'm currently working in a Google Cloud migrations role, but I feel that it is very niche because not that many companies use Google Cloud. I have multiple certifications Azure, Google Cloud, and CCNA. I have been in tech for 6 and a half years. I've worked in help desk, system administration, and cloud admin/migration roles.

I'm deciding between applying to cloud admin, devops, or switch to data analytics. I am having trouble getting any interviews when applying. I'll have some recruiters from linkedin for devops roles. They will ask about Terraform, Kubernetes, KQL, Azure, AWS, AD, vmware, kubectl command, yaml commands, powershell, pipelines, Azure Devops artifacts, etc all in the same interview. It can be overwhelming and it feels like a test where you never know what they will ask. I worry about on call work with devops roles. Devops does feel like the next step.

I'm looking because my current company has done a layoff a year for the past 4 years. The workload has been really high with 3 to 10 projects at a time plus other goals. Most of the other jobs I interview for are for smaller startupish companies that I don't trust the stability of long term.

I have had some friends suggest data analytics because they said the interviews and daily work may be more straight forward and not as difficult as devops. My biggest worry is if I'll even be able to get an interview for a data analytics role, or if I'd have to take a pay cut. I make around 100k in my current role. What's bad is there's no opportunity for promotion at my current role because I'm on a really small team within a small division.

Would it be possible for me to switch to data analytics? Would data analytics actually be better work life balance and interview wise, or are my friends just being overly helpful? A third option is software engineering, but I hear horror stories online of leetcode and whiteboard interviews. However, there are more jobs for software engineering positions. Based on my situation what type of roles would you suggest I apply to Devops, SWE, or Data Analytics?

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u/Cold_Arachnid_2617 4d ago

The roles you are skilled in. It appears you are playing certification Pokémon

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u/Unique-Ferret-612 4d ago

So should I lower the amount of certifications I put on my resume? The only thing was I paid for and took those tests throughout years of working different jobs.

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u/Grouchy_Big3195 4d ago

Just stick with cloud admin, you can look for azure administrator jobs since that what you have and basic IT skills, you can’t go wrong

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u/nian2326076 3d ago

Moving into data analytics from your current role can work, especially with your tech background. Just be aware that pay cuts might happen during the switch. Check out typical salaries in your area to get a better idea. Analytics interviews might be less intense than devops, but make sure you're ready for the different skills required.

LandOffer.ai lists job openings in different fields. You can narrow your search by role and location to help find the right fit.

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u/Unique-Ferret-612 2d ago

It's tough because linkedin doesn't list the salary for a lot of roles now. I have been working in tech for 6 years. My first degree was in kinesiology. I don't know if I would have to get a masters in data analytics or an MBA? I thought of getting a powerbi cert. I don't know if that would make a difference, because I feel like my other certifications were never brought up much in interviews.

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u/sookkl 1d ago

Is cloud not have that many roles to grow and have growth in this domain itself because was thinking to switch to cloud from non tech 🤔?Any suggestions!

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u/Unique-Ferret-612 1d ago

I don't get as many interviews as a few years ago. I have been scared to switch to data analytics because I've applied for 15 analytics roles earlier this year and didn't get one interview.

With Devops and SRE roles I got some interviews. However, they were very intense. They would ask where to go in the Azure portal to do things, what specific git command to something, and to give specific Terraform and Kubernetes script examples. Like, who can remember a whole script off the top of their head? They would list a lot of things in the job description that seemed exhaustive including: Terraform, Kubernetes, Azure, AWS, VMware, Powershell, Python, Prometheus, Grafana, Git, CICD, etc. It felt overwhelming.

What's worrying me is I think the pay would be higher for cloud roles than analytics, but the interviews and job duties are so difficult, I feel like I would have to make the job my life to get an interview.

What areas of cloud are you thinking of switching to? What do you currently do for work?

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u/sookkl 1d ago

Currently have 4 year of experience in operation. Was thinking to join as cloud support or Jr. Cloud engineer and then switch to devops and all mostly in aws or azure.

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u/moader 4d ago

Should just skip right to plumbing

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u/WetFishing 3d ago

I laughed out loud at this. I have the golden handcuffs as a devops engineer but I wish there was a fast path to become an electrician.

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u/moader 3d ago

I've had golden hand cuffs for both ( oil and gas engineer which is just fancier plumber ), and platform/DevOps in high finance. Unless you can corner some specific use case, I'd go plumbing/electrician TBH

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u/AnimatorExciting7941 4d ago

No one can decide what's the best for you. That shall be your sole decision. And when you make it, stick to it