How do I switch from old sysadmin stuff to IaC?
Sysadmins with years of legacy experience feel majorly behind when trying to re-enter the job market without large-scale cloud infrastructure or modern tool proficiency. This leaves them stuck relying on basic manual workflows while struggling to transition into full-time DevOps roles.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Setting up local environments using tools like LocalStack and Terraform to practice basic syntax and configuration.
- 2Reviewing Agile and scrum project management for communication
- 3Getting certifications to pass the HR filter
- 4Taking the AWS essentials or practitioner course
- 5Setting up an enterprise-lite production network at home using an outdated PC and nested virtualization
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I worked in an environment that supported a lot of bespoke and legacy systems, so most of my work was unfortunately clickops, and re-entering the job market makes me feel like I am majorly behind.”source ↗
“at the end of the day I was just copying syntax to put together a basic .tf file.”source ↗
“How can I get to the point where I am proficient with IaC? I would love to re-enter the workforce with a bit more of a modern skillset but I feel like I am so far behind.”source ↗
“I’m not particularly keen on agency work and would like to transition into a full-time infrastructure/DevOps/sysadmin role for my next job.”source ↗
“For context, I’ve worked with Linux servers, Nginx, deployments, server migrations, databases, Bash scripting and production troubleshooting, but I don’t have much experience with things like large-scale cloud infrastructure.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 14How to keep hostnames and IPs when migrating domain controllers
- 6Why do departing engineers leave behind broken, half-baked systems?
- 10How to migrate scary legacy software nobody wants to touch
- 7How to handle being the only IT person at a company
- 11Why is keeping up with software updates so exhausting?
- 10Why is setting up NetSuite so confusing?