Switching from DevOps to SWE Role

New / Eng
XHMD28

New Eng

XHMD28
Apr 18, 2021 6 Comments

Out of college, my current company is the first job I had. I was promised ML projects and lot of development opportunity, although they were a IT consultant company specializing in DevOps. They offered good money and so I went with it. They were lies. Close to two years into this company, I don't know if I even have any good DevOps experience. On top, I don't even enjoy it that much. I always wanted to be a developer. I held many internship in SWE position. I specially loved some of the works I did with MongoDB and kafka.
After college, I've been working on my own project to keep up the developer mindset.
I really want to switch to development, but I hardly have the experience. I know I probably have to start back from an entry level position. I've been on leetcode trying to get back into solving those algorithm questions.
Now I know that money isn't everything. You gotta do what you enjoy and I really wanna go back to development.
I was wondering if anyone has switched from DevOps to development after being in DevOps for multiple years. What was the experience like? How did you go about searching for jobs and how did you prep for the interviews?

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TOP 6 Comments
  • Adobe
    LPnq36

    Go to company page Adobe

    LPnq36
    That was my exact same experience. I started out in DevOps right out of college almost 3yrs ago but I actually enjoyed it. I learned a lot and (in the beginning) felt like I had some interesting challenges to work on. DevOps skills are also very in demand so I went into the position with the intention of learning as much as possible.

    I ended up wanting to switch to development though because after a year and a half, I wasn’t coding nearly as much as I wanted to be. As much as I hate having to leetcode, I picked it back up a couple months before starting to apply to positions early this year. I cold applied and reached out to recruiters when I felt ready. I had no problem getting interviews but I had to work a lot harder to do well in the coding rounds.

    Long story short, it took me a couple stressful months to find the right place but I’ll be starting a development position soon. So pivoting from DevOps is definitely possible.
    Apr 18, 2021 1
  • You are on right track. Personal projects and leetcode. Lot of companies will ask LC. The only difficulty part will be resume screening. I know Amazon, Facebook, google will take you regardless of background if you can pass the LC interview.
    Apr 18, 2021 2
    • New / Eng
      XHMD28

      New Eng

      XHMD28
      OP
      Exactly. That is the biggest hurdle I have. I know I have done a lot for my personal project, but not sure how add them in my resume. Like how do I prove to companies that I actually know stuff to get that initial phone screen or hackerank interviews. The FANG companies are the only exceptions
      Apr 18, 2021
    • I guess try Amazon and once you have swe on your resume leave after 1 year to find something better. Or ask your current employer to give some dev projects.
      Apr 18, 2021
  • Amazon
    WRtt76

    Go to company page Amazon

    WRtt76
    Name and shame lying company?
    Apr 18, 2021 0