What are the most common career paths for IT infrastructure design professionals?

- Systems Architect - Network Architect - Cloud Solutions Architect - Data Center Architect - Storage Architect - Security Architect - Virtualization Architect - Infrastructure Project Manager - IT Consultant - DevOps Engineer - IT Director or CTO

- Common IT infrastructure design career paths: network engineer, systems engineer, cloud architect, security architect, and data center architect. - Other options: IT management, IT consulting, and sales engineering.

- Common IT infrastructure design and operations career paths: Linux System Admin, systems engineer, Storage Architect , Storage Administrator , Backup Operation Design and Operations , and data center architect. - Other options: IT management, IT consulting, sales engineering, solution Architect

Many individuals aspire to secure a position as a DevOps engineer. I continue to emphasize the value of becoming an infrastructure engineer, as it provides the fundamental knowledge of core services. This foundational understanding is particularly critical in environments where cloud platforms do not abstract the underlying infrastructure. With the growing trend of companies shifting away from the cloud or embracing hybrid architectures, having expertise in both core infrastructure and emerging trends can be highly advantageous.

To launch a career as an IT Infrastructure Engineer, begin by building a foundational knowledge in IT through online courses and certifications in key areas like security and networking. Gain practical experience in entry-level roles and aim for advancement into positions like Senior IT Infrastructure Engineer or IT Infrastructure Architect, which require leadership and comprehensive technical skills. Specializing in high-demand areas such as cloud computing or cybersecurity can also lead to significant growth opportunities, with continuous learning and professional development as pivotal elements for success in this dynamic field.

Technical Knowledge - Conocimientos Técnicos; - GNU/Linux (RedHat, Rocky Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, SystemD, Docker, Podman, AppArmor, SELinux) - Kubernetes / K8S - WireGuard, OpenVPN - AWS, Azure, GCP - JavaScript, Python, Bash, Rust - FortiNet, PfSense Soft Skills - Habilidades blandas; - Documentation - Documentación - International Standards Compliance - Cumplimiento internacional con estándares

At this level, you may find yourself either working alone or with a team responsible for administering a specific service. This situation offers advantages as it allows you to become highly proficient in that service. It's essential to diversify your knowledge to prevent stagnation. Show respect to your colleagues and customers and strive to automate processes whenever possible.

The best way to get into any area in IT is to get work experience under your belt. Start contracting, put in your time in the trenches (helpdesk), and get a general understanding of all areas of IT so you can make an informed decision on the direction you want to take your career. This experience also shows employers that you're trustworthy and can take on greater risk sysadmin roles and other responsibilities. In my experience you can teach someone anything in IT, skill is rarely the issue. When I hire I'm looking for that confident, reliable person that I know has a handle on things even when I'm not around.

While it is important to bring in a variety of technical skills depending upon the scope or nature of work, it is also important to focus on soft skills like communication, co-ordination, documentation etc. The boundaries are getting redefined for technical skills in IT Infrastructure administration where more specialized career paths like Site Reliability Engineering are also getting evolved. It is important to build a passion for the tech that you are interested in and then get specialized in one or two areas once you gain experience.

Learn concepts and application of project management processes. In consultancy, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of your field. You often find yourself as the expert in the room, and clients rely on your advice. Familiarizing yourself with best practices, especially in architectural aspects and their application, is essential. Listening carefully to your clients' specific needs before offering your opinions is equally important. While technology remains consistent, its implementations and usage can vary significantly from one organization to another.

The ability to quickly grasp the technical elements of a client's environment is key for these types of professionals. Familiarity with various platforms in categories such as: Cloud Providers, Hypervisors, Email filters, SIEMs, Logging/Data Visualization and others is essential.

A consultant is the figure that presents the highest level in terms of infrastructure, he must have extensive knowledge of the technologies in multiple cloud providers and also have extensive knowledge in cybersecurity, which involves norms, controls and standards to guarantee that what you are recommending is under standardized regulations and below good industry practices.

Probably one of the final steps, in addition to the Director of Infrastructure Manager, this is a leadership position. As an Infrastructure Architect, you holistically define the vision for your infrastructure, collaborating with engineers and other professionals. Technically, you need to be highly knowledgeable, but don't underestimate the importance of soft skills. Time management, prioritization, project management, active listening, empathy, effective delegation, and other attributes are essential for engaging and leading a successful team.

I was gonna answer literally what this section says: IT Infrastructure Manager. Great career path for those looking to use their technical infrastructure experience and expertise to lead and manage a team.

IT Infrastructure Manager can be seen as the strategic lead behind the scenes, ensuring that a company's technology infrastructure, on-prem and cloud, operates seamlessly while paving the way for technological growth. This role is a critical junction of maintenance and forward-thinking, requiring a careful balance of resource management, budgeting, and timely execution. They keep an eye on performance and security, advocating for the infrastructure's needs and potential. By effectively communicating with stakeholders and translating tech jargon into business insights, an IT Infrastructure Manager aligns the nuts and bolts of IT with overarching business objectives, turning technical tasks into strategic milestones.

These career paths offer a wide range of opportunities for IT infrastructure design professionals, and individuals can choose the path that aligns with their interests, expertise, and career goals. Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with technology trends are essential in this dynamic field.

IT infrastructure offers various lateral paths to transition into different roles, such as moving into a DevOps role, software engineering, data analytics, or machine learning. The knowledge and skills you've acquired in understanding infrastructure serve as a strong foundation for pursuing these other roles. You're already equipped with the necessary fundamentals.

Cloud Solutions Architect: With the growing adoption of cloud computing, cloud solutions architects design and implement cloud-based infrastructures using platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. They are responsible for optimizing cloud resources and ensuring that applications and services run efficiently in the cloud. Security Architect: Security architects specialize in designing security measures and controls to protect an organization's IT infrastructure. They work on creating secure network designs, access controls, encryption, and data protection strategies.