u/ktpat1992

Hey everyone!

I'm looking for some advice on the best path forward in my IT career.

A little background: I previously worked in logistics as a freight broker/logistics coordinator for about 6–7 years. I eventually decided to switch careers because, in my experience, the hours were pretty brutal, and I wanted something with better long-term growth and work-life balance.

I made the jump into tech through a nonprofit organization (NPO) that offered IT training, where I learned the fundamentals and earned my CompTIA A+ certification. I also have a A.S in computer science.

Since then, I've started experimenting with Linux, self-hosted cloud services, networking, and building out my own home lab for CCNA and self-hosted cloud services. I've really enjoyed the hands-on side of things, especially figuring out how different systems and services work together.

I'm currently working as a data collection operator for autonomous vehicles, where we use Linux-based laptops as part of our daily operations. The pay and benefits are great (although the PTO could definitely be better, lol), so I'm not necessarily in a rush to leave. However, I want to continue developing my technical skills, gaining practical experience, and making myself more marketable for future opportunities.

The nonprofit I attended also offers additional IT courses for free, including a CCNA course starting February 19, which I've already signed up for.

My biggest interests are Linux, cloud infrastructure, AI, and networking, and my long-term goal is to transition into a cloud engineering role, ideally as efficiently as possible without skipping important fundamentals.

I'd love to hear from people already working in cloud engineering, DevOps, infrastructure, or related fields.

• Is CCNA a good next step, or should I prioritize Linux, AWS, or Azure certifications?
• What practical skills or homelab projects would make me more competitive for cloud engineering roles?
• Are there any certifications, courses, or learning resources you'd recommend?
• Given my background and current position, what would be the most realistic path toward becoming a cloud engineer without taking a significant pay cut?

I'm open to suggestions, constructive criticism, and hearing about other people's experiences making a similar transition.

P.S. I have ADHD and currently don't take medication for it, although I plan to start treatment soon. If anyone has ADHD-friendly study methods or resources that helped them stay consistent while learning IT, I'd appreciate those suggestions as well.

Thanks in advance for any advice!