The Kubernetes Journey That Changed Everything

Before joining Microsoft in 2018, I used to pass certifications on a 3-week schedule.

By the time I joined, I had completed most of the major Microsoft certifications. During my first year, I kept a similar pace while working through the app and data tracks. It took more than I expected to balance study with real-world customer engagements.

My personal story

But Kubernetes certifications were always different.

They’re deeply hands-on, and it’s a perfect blend of technical depth and strategic thinking.

I still remember passing my first CKA. It was intense! I was so focused on the terminal that I leaned too close to the screen… and the remote proctor had to pause me multiple times to remind me to keep a proper distance from the camera.

That moment stayed with me.

From working with customers to meeting incredible Kubernetes enthusiasts through tech events like hashtag#OpenHacks and hashtag#KubeCon, the journey kept evolving.

Eventually, I had the opportunity to author not one, but two Kubernetes books with Packt.

It’s now been 3 years since the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Exam Guide by Packt was first published. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the Kubernetes (Official) release ( can’t stress enough that’s the world’s 2nd largest open-source project), serving as a CNCF Ambassador, and joining the TAG Developer Experience leadership team, and now I’m aiming to serve on the KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Program Committee.

And honestly, it feels like just the beginning, and the best is still ahead.

Today, the tech industry is shifting fast: AI boom, layoffs, reorganizations across big tech. Unfortunately, many things are outside our control.

But as always, every challenge brings new opportunities.

The only way to predict the future is to invent it.

If we don’t focus on what we can control: learning, building, growing. Then how can we be ready when the right opportunity comes?

I’m grateful for the support from the cloud-native community, and I hope this gift from The Linux Foundation & Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) will help more people unlock opportunities and grow in their own cloud-native journey.

Free learning resources

Here’s my blog : If I were about to get started on Kubernetes in 2026

And some free learning resources from my fellow CNCF ambassadors :

✅ Understand Kubernetes visually with Aurélie Vache. Simply explained every bit of Kubernetes, Istio, Docker, etc.
https://lnkd.in/dxCncTtj

✅ The Kubernetes Course 2025 by Saiyam Pathak
https://lnkd.in/dWy7Zzu5

A creator of many high-quality learning resources, such as this in-depth Kubernetes CKS playlist:
https://lnkd.in/d64GpH7U

✅ If you’ve attended hashtag#CloudNativeUniversity sessions at hashtag#KubeCon + hashtag#CloudNativeCon, check out Chad M. Crowell‘s Kubernetes 101 course:
https://lnkd.in/dGm2mRjQ and many hands-on labs: learning by doing is key

✅ Make a vow to attend the CNCF Kubernetes Book Club
: A powerful space to learn directly from cloud-native authors and, just as importantly, to give back by sharing what you learn with the community.

✅ YouTube channel where he covers the latest Kubernetes and cloud-native topics (SUB2 to keep you in the loop )
👉 https://youtube.com/@kubesimplify
📘 Free CKA & CKS books
👉 CKS Book: https://saiyampathak.gumroad.com/l/cksbook
👉 CKA Book: https://saiyampathak.gumroad.com/l/cka

✅ Free kubectl cheat sheet & mini tutorial course
👉 https://subscribe.kubeskills.com
✅ An entire year of daily Kubernetes labs
👉 https://daily.kubeskills.com
✅ CKA exercises to quiz yourself on exam-related questions
👉 https://github.com/chadmcrowell/cka-exercises
✅ Hands-on labs from Killercoda (CKA-focused)
👉 https://killercoda.com/cka
✅ Practice exams
👉 https://killer.sh
✅ Run Kubernetes labs locally with Sailor
👉 https://sailor.sh
✅ CKA Community Chat on KubeSkills
👉 https://community.kubeskills.com/c/cka/
✅ Kind Kubernetes course
👉 https://community.kubeskills.com/c/getting-started-with-kind-kubernetes
✅ Kubernetes 101 course
👉 https://community.kubeskills.com/c/101-course
✅ GROW: Create a GitHub repository of work while learning CKA
👉 https://github.com/kubeskills/grow

And don’t forget his CKA Book Course on KubeSkills (FYI – 75% off with code: NEWYEAR):
https://community.kubeskills.com/c/cka-book-course-videos

Let’s keep building!

🚀 Motivated to ace CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA, KCSA, LFCS, LFCE, and LFCA and get one step closer to becoming a Kubestronaut or even a Golden Kubestronaut? Use coupon code CLOUDMELON to get 30% OFF valid on all Linux Foundation training courses and certifications!