An interview with Ramesh Kumar
A special thanks to one of our CNCF Ambassadors, Ramesh Kumar for inspiring us to create the Kubestronaut program. We recently interviewed Ramesh to ask about how the Kubestronaut program came to be. If you’d like to be a Kubestronaut like Ramesh, get more details on the CNCF Kubestronaut page.
How did you come up with the Kubestronaut idea?
In 2017, CNCF released the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam. I was among the first few people to study day and night to pass it. It was an exhilarating journey filled with passion and excitement. The CKA exam lit a fire in me—it was unlike any other exam, being a hands-on, scenario-based challenge. That unique aspect made it thrilling. The following year, in 2018, came the Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) exam, which was just as exciting.
A fun fact: the late and excellent Dan Kohn sponsored my CKA and CKAD exams. In 2019, during KubeCon San Diego, I hosted a roundtable QA session on certifications. Dan Kohn observed my enthusiasm and excitement and suggested I start a study group to help others, especially students, kickstart their Kubernetes careers and certification goals. That suggestion led to me becoming an author for several Kubernetes certification exams, starting many workgroups in the Sacramento area and a few online groups. I also launched a meetup for Kubernetes certifications and workshops like CKA/CKAD to help spread the word about CNCF and its incredible resources.
Around 2021, after taking and getting all upcoming Kubernetes certifications, I wanted to create something special for those who achieved CNCF and Kubernetes certifications—a program that would recognize their accomplishments and inspire and motivate others to set ambitious goals. I shared this idea with Chris Aniszczyk, and he found it intriguing and worth implementing. The idea initially originated in November 2022 during KubeCon Detroit. It kept evolving for a while, and by February 2024, we had the perfect name: “Kubestronaut.” My journey deeply inspired the concept, where I often felt like an astronaut navigating
Kubernetes’s vast, uncharted territory. I wanted others to experience that same sense of exploration and discovery but with guidance and a supportive community to help them succeed.
Why did you think people would be so excited to be Kubestronauts?
The Kubernetes community is one of the most dynamic and enthusiastic groups in tech. People are always eager to learn, contribute, push boundaries, and help others grow, encourage, and support one another. I’ve found many amazing mentors in this community and had the opportunity to be both a mentee and a mentor. This level of collaboration and growth is only possible with CNCF communities.
Being a Kubestronaut is very special. It’s a sense of achievement, fulfillment, and inspiration. The Kubestronaut initiative is unique in its focus on Kubernetes/CNCF education, certifications, and fostering a sense of community among learners. Hands-on certifications like CKA, CKAD, and CKS, along with foundational exams like Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and Kubernetes and Cloud Security Associate (KCSA), provide learners with opportunities to deepen their knowledge across different levels and domains. These certifications help participants develop hands-on skills and theoretical understanding, supporting their personal and professional growth. By incorporating diverse certifications, the Kubestronaut initiative empowers individuals to build expertise in Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies.
What else would you want people to know about the program?
The Kubestronaut is a unique initiative focused on Kubernetes education, certification, and fostering a sense of community among learners. It is designed to be inclusive and community-driven, emphasizing growth through learning, collaboration, and mentorship. One of the program’s highlights is the opportunity to connect with experts in the field, exchange ideas, and be part of a global network of Kubernetes professionals. We aim to make Kubernetes more accessible and rewarding for anyone, whether just starting their cloud-native journey or advancing their existing skills.
CNCF certifications and programs have a profound impact. For example, one of our community members, a chef with 18 years of experience, transitioned into the tech industry within 18 months by earning Kubernetes certifications. His journey is a powerful reminder of how these certifications can change lives. Programs like Kubestronaut and Kubernetes can inspire growth and open new opportunities, regardless of where you start. I can’t wait to see how many more lives will be impacted through the Kubestronaut initiative. This initiative is about empowering everyone to reach their full potential.
What are the primary CNCF projects you work on or use today? What projects have you enjoyed the most in your career?
At Apple, we always think big, whether it’s about scale or innovation. Currently, I work extensively with Kubernetes, which is central to my projects, particularly in managing cloud infrastructure at scale. I also engage with Helm for package management, Prometheus for monitoring, Grafana for dashboarding, Flux for continuous delivery (CD), and Emissary Ingress (formerly known as Ambassador) for service proxies. These CNCF projects are fundamental to building and operating cloud-native architectures in my work. Managing applications requires a lot of standards and security enforcement, and I always take these aspects very seriously, ensuring they are handled with deep precision.
In terms of what I’ve enjoyed the most, Kubernetes has always been my passion. It’s a continuously evolving platform, and working with it has been incredibly rewarding. Prometheus and Grafana have been exciting to work with, mainly because of their robust monitoring capabilities and how they empower teams to gain real-time insights into their systems.
How have the certifications helped you in your career?
I’m a big believer in learning, training, and certifications because they provide a clear path, goal, and target. Certifications offer a structured roadmap, helping you gain deep knowledge in specific areas. While certifications may not make you a complete master in a subject, they provide a strong foundation and clear direction for continuous learning and growth.
The CNCF certifications— KCNA, CKA, CKAD, KCSA, and CKS – all have been pivotal in my career. These certifications validated my skills and pushed me to develop a deeper understanding of Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies. They helped me transition into roles where I could build, manage, and operate complex Kubernetes environments at scale.
The certifications also opened doors for me to engage with the broader cloud-native community, participate in discussions, and collaborate on meaningful projects. More importantly, they gave me the confidence to share my knowledge with others, leading to my involvement in mentoring and creating educational programs like Kubestronaut. These certifications have played a key role in elevating my career, expanding my network, and connecting me with opportunities that align with my passion for Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies.
More about Ramesh
Ramesh Kumar is a passionate advocate for cloud-native technologies with a deep background in Kubernetes and DevOps. Ramesh works at Apple as a Systems Architect, building and managing the next generation of cloud infrastructure and has had the opportunity to run and operate hundreds of applications from the ground up, ensuring they meet CNCF standards for cloud deployments. Over the years, he’s worked on various Kubernetes-related projects in education and hands-on enterprise-grade implementations. He’s also a teacher and enjoys mentoring others in navigating the rapidly evolving Kubernetes landscape. Ramesh is dedicated to fostering the communities that grow through shared learning and practical experiences. And he has a pretty unique email at Apple: Kubernetes@apple.com!