This document provides an overview of how to become proficient in Kubernetes. It discusses how Kubernetes skills are in high demand but difficult to obtain experience in. It suggests identifying existing technical skills that relate to Kubernetes concepts like containers and microservices. It recommends practicing expansion learning by focusing on small gaps in knowledge. Adopting small daily habits like using containers as the default command line can help build skills. Non-technical "DevOps" skills like communication, problem solving and teaching are also important for Kubernetes roles. Certifications may help get initial opportunities but cultural adoption of Kubernetes requires patience and leadership. The profile of a successful Kubernetes practitioner can vary widely.

1. HOWTO Become
Kubernetes Proficient

2. Agenda
◻ VP of Engineering @ ReactiveOps
◻ Background in operations
◻ DevOps and engineering culture enthusiast
◻ Manage a team of 15 SREs for 25+ production
Kubernetes infrastructures
◻ Hiring manager focused on Kubernetes talent
github.com/sairez
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Hi! I’m Sarah
@szelechoski @sarahz

3. Agenda
☐ Hard to find
○ This is all very new (yes, really)
○ No real “pipeline”
○ Rare opportunities to learn on the job
☐ Very valuable right now
○ Market is hot. High demand talent
○ Companies are piling on responsibility
○ Can justify high salaries
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Kubernetes Talent in Today’s Market

4. Agenda
☐ Folks out there is all different niches of technology that have strong, relevant skills
○ Network engineers, operations folks, developers, educators
☐ Need Chances to
○ Apply skills to a new syntax
○ Learn on the job
○ Be supported by culture and executive buy-in
☐ Raw material is
○ undervalued
○ not well understood
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Kubernetes Potential in Today’s Market

5. “People are so eager to learn because they see it’s a
growing tool/skillset, but also don’t know how to get
the experience at their current work.”

6. Agenda
☐ Identify technical skills and experience you currently have that are relevant/different
☐ Practice expansion learning
☐ Change small habits in your daily workflow
☐ Understand non-technical skills which are valuable in the transition
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Transitioning existing skills into the Cloud Native/Kubernetes Space

7. Identifying Relevant Skills

8. Agenda
☐ Containers : Operating systems, Virtual Machines, Configuration Management
☐ Languages & Frameworks : Anything goes, Application architecture patterns
☐ Microservices : Dependencies, Service Discovery, Interfaces, Messaging
☐ API: Interfaces, Plug-in architecture, HTTP, Networking, Transactions
☐ Stateful/less: DBA, Key-value, Caching, Storage, Secrets management
☐ Isolation: Security, Networking, Compliance, Organizational responsibilities
☐ Cloud Infrastructure: Local development, Datacenter, VMWare, Sysadmin, Scripting
☐ DevOps: Collaboration, Teamwork, Service mindset, Education
☐ Automation: Chef/Ansible/Puppet, Terraform, Scripting, CI/CD
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Cloud Native Skills
https://thenewstack.io/10-key-attributes-of-cloud-native-applications/

9. Agenda
☐ Infrastructure
☐ Networking
☐ Security
☐ Authentication/Authorization
☐ Resource Management
☐ Scaling
☐ Application Architecture & Patterns
☐ Build & Deploy
☐ Logging & Monitoring & Observability
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Kubernetes Skills

10. Agenda
☐ Cooperation & Collaboration
☐ Shared Responsibilities
☐ Empathy & Compassion
☐ Broad Understanding
☐ Flexibility
☐ Education
☐ Constant Improvement
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DevOps Skills

11. Expansion Learning

12. Agenda
☐ Identify topic you wish to understand
☐ Which current skills
○ Relevant
○ As close as possible
☐ Focus on the delta
☐ , yet
☐ #daily30
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Expand your knowledge

13. Agenda
➢ I would love to understand CI/CD.
➢ I know how to test and deploy an application manually.
➢ What is the difference between integration and testing?
➢ What is the difference between deployment and continuous
deployment?
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Example

14. Small Habits

15. Agenda
☐ Choose a skill you would like to learn
☐ Identify the first step in that learning process
☐ Design a small change to your daily workflow to integrate this skill
☐ Practice this small habit every day
☐ Note the sticking points and lessons learned
☐ Integrate back in to your expansion learning
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Practice Daily

16. Agenda
➢ I would love to be able to learn about containers/Docker
➢ The first step is understanding what a container is and how to use it
➢ I will build a basic container and use it as my command line
➢ This will be my command line for 30 days
➢ I will keep a log of the lessons I learn
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Example

17. What Makes you Hireable?

18. Non-technical Skills

19. Agenda
☐ Problem Solving
☐ Ability to Learn and Teach
☐ Ownership/Integrity
☐ Communication
☐ Conflict Resolution
☐ Decision Making
☐ Continuous Improvement Mindset
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Often More Important than Technical Skills

20. On Certifications

21. Agenda
☐ Yes and No
☐ Some certifications mean more than others
○ Certified Kubernetes
○ AWS/GCP
☐ It will help you get that first hook
☐ It will help make your last argument
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Do They Mean Anything?

22. Be Prepared

23. Agenda
☐ Kubernetes adoption requires
○ Cultural change
○ Manager/Executive/Org buy-in
☐ As a practitioner
○ You will have to fight the good fight
○ Be patient, kind and compassionate for change
○ Shoulder a lot of responsibility
○ Are often lonely
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Kubernetes Adoption Requires Change

24. Successful Practitioner

25. Agenda
☐ It’s a spectrum!
○ Developer
○ Systems
○ Operator
○ Educator
☐ Kubernetes is a shared language intended to change the way we work
☐ Apply what you know to new problems
☐ Bring your own experience and make it valuable
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What does a Kubernetes Practitioner Look Like

26. Thanks!