From Junior to DevOps/Cloud Engineer: a journey of growth and teamwork

In this series, we’ll put the spotlight on Devoteam G Cloud’s experts who are always at the forefront of driving progress in the exciting and rapidly evolving Google Cloud world. In this article, we will delve into Marija’s journey, Cloud Consultant at Devoteam G Cloud Serbia. Currently, she is very engaged in the company’s activities as a volunteer for programming workshops for girls and planning to take certifications for GCP Professional Network engineer and Google Authorized Trainer.

A quick look into the life of Marija’s as a Google Cloud DevOps Consultant

I’m working as a Cloud DevOps Consultant at Devoteam G Cloud Serbia since 2021 where I help our customers as a trusted advisor, working closely with teams to leverage Google Cloud technologies and best practices to enhance collaboration, streamline software delivery, improve system reliability, and drive innovation.

I’m currently mainly working on cloud infrastructure and security assessment projects.

How did you get to this position?

At the end of my last year at faculty and after the internship, I was looking for an entry-level job. I was specifically interested in backend development or DevOps positions. I had heard of Devoteam before but wasn’t aware that they had a strong focus on cloud technologies. Coincidentally, during the student’s conference, WATFOI, I had the opportunity to speak with one of Devoteam’s recruiters. I was thrilled to discover that they had open junior cloud positions available because such job posts were quite rare at the time. After our conversation, I promptly sent my CV and proceeded to go through the interview and technical test. Soon enough, I started working at Devoteam as the second junior in the DevOps team.

After joining Devoteam as a Junior cloud consultant, I embarked on an exciting journey in the world of DevOps and cloud technologies. As part of the DevOps team, I worked on various projects, honing her skills and gaining valuable experience.

Throughout my journey, I remained committed to expanding my skill set and staying abreast of the latest advancements in cloud technologies and DevOps practices. I pursued certifications in Google Cloud, further validating my expertise. Actively participating in knowledge-sharing sessions within the DevOps team, I contributed to the growth of the team and fostered a culture of continuous learning.

Committed to success

Overall, my journey as a DevOps and cloud consultant at Devoteam G Cloud has been immensely rewarding. Through my involvement in various projects and my dedication to learning, I have evolved into a skilled professional proficient in cloud technologies, DevOps practices, and infrastructure automation. My commitment to delivering high-quality solutions has contributed to the success of the team and the satisfaction of the clients I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

What is the best thing about your job?

Colleagues. Teamwork.

I think that having great colleagues makes the job easier, more fun and less stressful. 

As a woman, what do you notice about IT being a man’s world?

I wouldn’t say that IT is a man’s world. (Look at Nana Janashia, Stephanie Wong, and many other women that are rocking IT). 

In our company I think we have a pretty similar number of male and female employees. Many job opportunities for females can be find here.

How do you think it can be ensured that more women choose a career in tech?

Well, I think that events like Code4girlz are very important, because they are meant for younger girls to get to know the IT world. 

In addition to events like Code4girlz, there are several other strategies that can be implemented to ensure that more women choose a career in tech: early exposure and education done through initiatives like coding camps, workshops, and extracurricular programs, prominent female role models and mentors as providers of guidance, support, and inspiration to young girls interested in the field, creating inclusive work environments where women feel valued, respected, and supported and many other ways and initiatives.

What advice would you like to give to women considering a career in IT?

The same as I would give to anyone. Find what you like and work on your skills. If you’re always looking to improve yourself, the opportunities will come.

What’s the best professional advice that you ever received?

Don’t get too stressed about the things you cannot impact.

We all experience imposter syndrome. 😉

What advice would you give to women entering the workfloor?

Being productive doesn’t mean working non-stop. In order to be really productive we need a rest as well. Good luck!

What challenges would you like to take in the (near) future?

I would like to work on more challenging infrastructure projects. Also, I am planning to take certifications for GCP Professional Network engineer and Google Authorized Trainer. Not job related: I want to participate in some OCR race.