Get to know Samah
This week’s Kubestronaut in Orbit is Samah Eddaoudi! As a recent graduate in networks and telecommunications, Samah transitioned into the field of DevOps and cloud engineering, building on her strong technical foundation. During her studies, an internship introduced her to the world of DevOps, where she developed a keen interest in Kubernetes (K8s). Recognizing its significance, she pursued and achieved five certifications to become a Kubestronaut.
With the support of her company, techmyteam, Samah earned all five certifications in less than six months—completing the first on August 30, 2024, and the last on December 13, 2024! Her journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and she is eager to continue contributing to the DevOps and cloud engineering communities.
If you’d like to be a Kubestronaut like Samah, get more details on the CNCF Kubestronaut page.
When did you get started with Kubernetes and/or cloud-native? What was your first project?
I embarked on my Kubernetes journey during my initial internship, where I was introduced to the platform by colleagues. My first project involved deploying a microservices-based application on a Kubernetes cluster, which provided me with hands-on experience in container orchestration and management.
What are the primary CNCF projects you work on or use today? What projects have you enjoyed the most in your career?
In my current role, I serve as both a Kubernetes administrator and developer. I prepare and manage Kubernetes clusters, deploying client applications by selecting appropriate resources to ensure each project’s microservices operate securely and in isolation within the same cluster. One of my most cherished projects was my first significant endeavor as a DevOps intern, which I also discussed during my engineering thesis. Although it was less complex than my current projects, I found it particularly rewarding because it marked the beginning of my journey into Kubernetes. I built and managed the cluster, deploying applications across development, testing, and production environments, thereby experiencing firsthand the benefits of Kubernetes in managing application lifecycles securely and in isolation within a single cluster. I use plenty of CNCF projects in my daily tasks—including Kubernetes, Helm, ArgoCD, Istio, Harbor, and containerd. Most of CNCF tools and projects are key components in my architectures for ensuring high availability and secure infrastructures.
How have the certs or CNCF helped you in your career?
The CNCF certifications have been instrumental in validating my expertise and enhancing my credibility in the industry. They have opened doors to advanced roles and projects, allowing me to contribute effectively to cloud native initiatives.
What are some other books/sites/courses you recommend for people who want to work with k8s?
For those looking to deepen their Kubernetes knowledge, I recommend the following resources: Kubernetes Official Documentation, CNCF Training and Certification and KodeKloud.
What do you do in your free time?
During my free time, I mostly play video games, but when I have more energy, I like to learn about new DevOps tools and technologies. As a recent engineering graduate, I feel like there is a lot to learn, and I enjoy the learning process.
What would you tell someone who is just starting their K8s certification journey? Any tips or tricks?
I encourage everyone interested in learning more about Kubernetes (K8s) to pursue it. While it may seem challenging at first, it’s a complex tool, not a complicated one. We should approach building our knowledge as if assembling a puzzle or following a fishing line; identifying the starting point is crucial for a correct beginning. Certification programs offer the best roadmaps, enabling us to learn step by step until the puzzle is complete. Once accomplished, you’ll find that K8s becomes an open book, allowing you to explore and experiment freely.
Today the cloud native ecosystem is way more than Kubernetes. Do you plan to get other cloud native certifications from the CNCF?
Absolutely. I plan to pursue additional CNCF certifications to broaden my expertise in the cloud native ecosystem. Certifications such as the Certified Argo Project Associate (CAPA) and the Istio Certified Associate (ICA) are on my radar, as they align with my interests in continuous delivery and service mesh technologies.
What else would you like to share in this feature?
I would like to emphasize the importance of gaining in-depth knowledge of Kubernetes (K8s), as it serves as the foundational cornerstone of cloud native technologies. By preparing for and obtaining K8s certifications, you acquire comprehensive knowledge that enables you to explore various tools and solutions, as well as customize your own within a K8s environment.