Last week, I had an informal meeting with my mentor, Andrew McAlliste , to discuss my career goals and opportunities in open-source and work with my CV. The conversation gave me clarity about my professional direction and helped me map out a strategic plan for the next 12-18 months.
Weighing My Options: DevOps vs. Full Stack
One of the main topics we discussed was whether to pursue DevOps or full stack development. Both paths have their pros and cons:
DevOps Considerations:
The compensation is typically excellent
Production issues can require immediate attention, even during personal time
On-call rotations can impact work-life balance
Provides exposure to infrastructure and deployment processes
Full Stack Development Considerations:
More moderate but still competitive salary
Better work-life balance generally
Greater opportunities for networking and building connections
Allows for gaining experience across different technologies
Setting a Timeline for Growth
After careful consideration, I've decided to give myself 12-18 months to develop new skills and explore different areas. During this period, I plan to:
Experiment with DevOps tools and methodologies
Contribute to open-source projects as much as possible in different org
Push myself out of my comfort zone
Be mindful of my limitations while avoiding overconfidence
After that timeline, I’ll have a clearer answer to the question of whether I should go abroad for my master's or continue working remotely/physically.
Remote Work and Work Environment
Finding a remote position is one of my goals, but I recognize that it requires exceptional skills and self-discipline. My experience at Scribe-data has shown me the importance of a positive work environment:
Working with the "Wiki-People" has been enjoyable and motivational
Their gentle approach and supportive working culture pushes me to expand my boundaries
In contrast, my previous part-time job had chaotic management that made work unpleasant
This contrast helped me realize I hadn't fully understood what a healthy work environment looks like before in my past part-time job. I really am very grateful to them.
Building a Meaningful Career
To find a good community and organization, I understand that I need to work hard for recognition. Some key principles I want to follow:
Prioritize work that supports humanity rather than just focusing on money (which is why I've ruled out a gaming industry career)
Focus on making connections with good people
Remember that my career is just beginning
Find purpose through collaboration and creating value for others
Moving Forward
As I look toward Open-Source opportunities, I know there's much to consider. The most important step now is investing in myself—developing both technical skills and professional relationships that will serve as the foundation for my future.
Andrew reminded me that career growth isn't linear, and that's okay. What matters most is finding work that aligns with my values while providing the lifestyle I desire. Previously I thought that I came late in tech industry or open-source, which was a wrong though from me.
Also, as my career is just starting, I believe that connecting with great people, working with them, and making a positive impact for the humanity will give me purpose in life. Please pray for me.