How to learn DevOps in 2025 – Complete Guide and Resources

Last updated: January, 2025 • 13 min read

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the best ways to learn DevOps, from recommended books and courses to finding expert mentors who can accelerate your learning journey.

Before diving into learning DevOps, a word of caution: While there are many resources available online, it's important to follow a structured learning path and avoid getting overwhelmed. Having a clear goal and roadmap will help you stay focused and make steady progress.

If you're looking for a more guided approach, you may want to check out our DevOps mentors who can help create a personalized learning plan and provide expert guidance throughout your journey.

Getting started with DevOps

In this guide, we'll cover:

Let's explore each of these areas to help you create an effective learning path for mastering DevOps.

How can I start learning DevOps?

Getting started with DevOps is very achievable with the right approach and resources. Here are some key steps to begin your learning journey:

  1. Start with fundamentals. Begin by learning the core concepts and principles of DevOps. This builds a strong foundation for more advanced topics;
  2. Take online courses. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer structured DevOps courses for beginners. These provide guided learning with hands-on practice;
  3. Read documentation and books. Official documentation and recommended books can deepen your understanding of DevOps concepts;
  4. Connect with a mentor. Our experienced DevOps mentors can create a personalized learning plan and guide you through your journey efficiently.

Can I learn DevOps on my own?

While self-study is possible, having expert guidance can save you months of trial and error and help you avoid common pitfalls. Here's what to consider:

  1. Self-paced learning. Online resources and tutorials let you learn at your own speed, but it can be challenging to know if you're on the right track;
  2. Community support. Join online communities and forums to get help, though responses may vary in quality and accuracy;
  3. Professional mentorship. Working with a DevOps mentor provides personalized feedback, industry insights, and accountability to keep you progressing;
  4. Structured approach. A mentor can create a customized learning path based on your goals and current skill level.

Can I learn DevOps in one month?

While you can grasp basic concepts of DevOps in a month with dedicated study, becoming proficient typically takes longer. Here's a realistic timeline:

  1. First month. Master fundamental concepts and basic principles of DevOps;
  2. 3-6 months. Develop intermediate skills and work on increasingly complex projects;
  3. 6-12 months. Build advanced knowledge and professional-level expertise;
  4. Accelerated learning. Working with one of our expert DevOps mentors can significantly speed up this timeline through focused guidance and industry best practices.

Learning Resources for DevOps

One of the most effective ways to build a strong foundation in DevOps is through carefully selected learning resources. Let's explore some key materials that can help you master this field.

Essential Reading Materials

Books remain one of the most comprehensive ways to learn DevOps in depth. They provide structured knowledge and detailed explanations that are often missing from online tutorials. Here are some recommended reading approaches:

  • Start with beginner-friendly books that introduce core concepts and fundamentals
  • Progress to intermediate texts that cover more advanced topics and real-world applications
  • Keep reference books handy for looking up specific concepts and techniques

Online Learning Platforms

Online courses provide structured learning paths with hands-on practice. Here are some recommended platforms and course types:

  • Interactive courses - Learn by doing with coding exercises and projects
  • Video tutorials - Watch expert instructors explain concepts step-by-step
  • Practice exercises - Reinforce learning through hands-on challenges

Recommended Courses for DevOps

DevOps on AWS

DevOps on AWS specialization teaches you how to use the combination of DevOps philosophies, practices and tools to develop, deploy, and maintain applications in the AWS Cloud. Benefits of adopting DevOps include: rapid delivery, reliability, scalability, security and improved collaboration. The …

Introduction to DevOps

DevOps skills are in demand! DevOps skills are expected to be one of the fastest-growing skills in the workforce. This course can be a first step in obtaining those skills. Introduction to DevOps explores DevOps as a cultural movement, including building a business case for DevOps, the essentials…

DevOps 101

This free course is designed to introduce you to the world of DevOps and explain the very basics of CI/CD, pipelines, automation, and more. Whether you're a rookie engineer dreaming of becoming a DevOps pro, or you're an IT professional who's tired of not knowing what this "DevOps" thing your colle…

Certified Kubernetes Administrator

This exam is an online, proctored, performance-based test that requires solving multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes. Candidates have 2 hours to complete the tasks. Candidates who register for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam will have 2 attempts (per exam regi…

Get help with your learning journey

Learning through online courses can be challenging. Get 1:1 guidance from an experienced mentor who can help you stay accountable and answer your questions along the way.

View all recommended courses for DevOps →

Learning Communities and Support

Having the right support system is crucial for learning DevOps. Here are some ways to get help:

  • MentorCruise Community - Join our active community of learners and mentors to get support on your journey
  • 1:1 Mentorship - Get personalized guidance from our expert DevOps mentors
  • Work Reviews - Have experienced DevOps mentors review your work and provide detailed feedback
  • Discussion Forums - Connect with peers to share knowledge and ask questions

Ready to accelerate your learning? Find a DevOps mentor who can guide you through these steps and provide personalized support.

Expert Guidance

Learning DevOps is more effective with expert guidance. Our mentors provide:

  • Personalized Learning Plans - Get a customized roadmap based on your goals and current skill level
  • Industry Best Practices - Learn professional standards and workflows
  • Career Development - Get advice on job searching, resume building, and career advancement

Want more options? Browse all 86 DevOps mentors to find the perfect match for your goals.

Professional Certifications

Earning certifications can validate your DevOps skills and boost your career prospects. Here are some recommended certifications:

DevOps Foundation (DOFD)®

Hosted by devopsinstitute.com

As DevOps adoption continues to grow and drive digital business success, organizations and their teams need to ensure they have the needed skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality software solutions quickly, exceed customer expectations and outpace competitors.

To maintain the highes…

DevOps Engineering Foundation℠

Hosted by devopsinstitute.com

An engineering approach is critical to DevOps journeys. This certification validates understanding of the foundational knowledge, principles and practices from a technical perspective needed to engineer a successful DevOps solution.

To maintain the highest quality learning for our commun…

Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert

Hosted by learn.microsoft.com

As a DevOps engineer, you’re a developer or infrastructure administrator who also has subject matter expertise in working with people, processes, and products to enable continuous delivery of value in organizations.

Your responsibilities for this role include delivering Microsoft DevOps …

DevOps Leader (DOL)®

Hosted by devopsinstitute.com

Leading people through a DevOps evolution requires new skills, tools, innovative thinking, and transformational leadership to be successful.

To maintain the highest quality learning for our community, DevOps Institute Certifications expire two years from the date of completion. Members c…

Our mentors can help you prepare for these certifications through:

  • Exam Preparation - Get structured guidance to master certification topics
  • Practice Tests - Work through sample questions and mock exams
  • Study Planning - Create an effective study schedule to achieve your certification goals
  • Hands-on Practice - Apply certification concepts through practical exercises

View all recommended certifications for DevOps →

Career Guidance

Beyond technical skills, succeeding in DevOps requires strategic career planning. Our career mentors provide:

  • Industry Insights - Get insider knowledge about DevOps roles and companies
  • Career Strategy - Build a roadmap to reach your professional goals
  • Resume & Portfolio Review - Optimize your professional materials for DevOps positions
  • Interview Preparation - Practice technical and behavioral interviews with experienced professionals
  • Salary Negotiation - Learn to advocate for yourself and negotiate competitive compensation

Ready to accelerate your DevOps career? Connect with a career mentor to start building your professional future.

Quick Summary

  • 🎯 Best for: beginners and intermediate learners
  • ⏱️ Learning time: 11 certification paths available
  • 💰 Required investment: Courses, books and mentorship to certification (~$500)
  • 🎓 Prerequisites: None
  • 🔗 Related fields: JavaScript, Backend, AWS, Cloud