Our Cloud Operations Support Engineer Intern, Namarta Kumari, describes her career move into tech and what she learned in her four months at Symbiote.

Hello, I'm Namarta, a passionate AWS certified cloud technologist with a passion for cloud security and a love for the graceful art of Odissi dance. Two years ago, over a casual coffee, a friend sparked my curiosity with a simple question about cloud technology. At that moment, I could hardly imagine that this simple conversation would radically pivot my career path from banking into the tech sector.

The leap from banking to tech

My journey into technology was unexpected yet profoundly fulfilling. Originally equipped with a Masters in International Relations, I ventured into the banking sector, where I delved into numerous roles in different teams before finding myself enjoying the role of financial crime analyst at NAB. It was there, amid the complexities of event correlations and transaction monitoring, that my curiosity for tech was ignited. The tools were not just tools; they were gateways to a new world of possibilities I had yet to explore.

Driven by this newfound passion, I began to network and upskill relentlessly. My efforts culminated at the tail end of last year when I was shortlisted for, and participated in, the Digital Skills Program's AWS Restart initiative. This program not only sharpened my skills but also opened the door to an incredible opportunity—an internship at Symbiote.

Recently, I embarked on a transformative journey as a Cloud Operations Support Engineer Intern at Symbiote, a company renowned for its innovative solutions in cloud infrastructure and security. This Insight reflects on my experiences, the skills I've honed, and the invaluable insights I've gained through this role.

My internship at Symbiote: the beginning of my DevOps journey

From my first week at Symbiote, I was immersed in learning new technologies and tools. As someone who sees the big picture, I wanted to understand DevOps principles and infrastructure model that Symbiote uses, and how these are deployed and managed. It marked the beginning of a significant learning curve.

I began by exploring Ansible, Terraform and Packer, which were crucial for managing our infrastructure. Symbiote values creativity and innovation, evident in the dedicated environment provided to experiment with code and test locally before any sort of deployment. Through a sample application project, I learned how these technologies integrate to support customers efficiently.

I also gained insights into different deployment models and the intricacies of our code repositories under the guidance of my manager. Handling real issues became part of my daily routine early on, as I managed Zendesk tickets related to AWS support.

Deep diving into infrastructure and security

Throughout my internship I developed a strong foundation in infrastructure management. Creating repositories, applying Terraform configurations and understanding complex functions like conditional expressions and meta-arguments were just the beginning. My troubleshooting skills were honed through understanding the criticality of accurate configuration and robust security practices.

I learned about the concepts of virtual hosting via Apache and content management through Cloud Flare. Security enhancements were a significant part of my role. I updated SSL certificates and tackled AWS RDS upgrades, learned about security threats like MIME sniffing and clickjacking attacks. These experiences underscored the importance of maintaining robust security measures in managing cloud infrastructure.

Gaining project management insights

As the weeks progressed, my role expanded into project management areas. I participated in workshops, sprints, and retrospectives, which gave me with a comprehensive view of Agile project management and its application in technology projects. Discussions focused on the performance of cross-functional teams, highlighting milestones achieved, identifying roadblocks, and appreciating team contributions. We engaged in brainstorming sessions to explore potential process improvements.

My technical skills advanced as I managed application configurations using Ansible and Packer and dealt with complex projects involving database security and compatibility updates. I also learned about the value of change management, implementation and documentation.

Things I absolutely loved about interning at Symbiote

From the beginning, my onboarding journey at Symbiote was smooth and welcoming. My manager, Owen, provided constant support throughout these four months of learning. When I was stuck troubleshooting a ticket and felt overwhelmed, Owen was always approachable. He helped me learn from my mistakes and offered valuable guidance. His feedback, “Namarta, you need to slow down a bit. We understand that all these tools and technologies are new to you, and gradually you will gain more experience,” highlighted the supportive culture at Symbiote. This environment allowed me the space to think, break problems into smaller chunks and iteratively test solutions.

Another aspect I absolutely loved was the flexibility. Owen often said, “You have a life to live outside of work too,” which allowed me to bring my whole, real self to work. The company genuinely appreciated my passion and commitment to dance, enabling me to participate in four full-show dance performances while learning new technologies.

Symbiote also supported my goal of acquiring the AWS SysOps Associate certification by providing flexibility and exposure to the right resources and technologies.

Thanks to Symbiote, I learned about application support in a proactive way, focusing not just on fixing problems as they arose but on seeking continuous improvement with sustainability and efficiency at the core. Every interaction with team members consistently highlighted the culture and value of teamwork.

I was fortunate to work with amazing colleagues in the testing, solution design, DevOps and UX/UI teams, gaining insights into their roles and contributions to projects. My brief stint with the UX team helped me understand the process of information architecture in website design. Observing UX interviews led by the UX lead emphasised how much Symbiote values stakeholder and end-user perspectives to provide user-intuitive applications. I also worked on synthesising and analysing data via a Similarity Matrix to find commonly grouped card pairings, informing the information architecture of a website.

Final thoughts

Reflecting on my time at Symbiote and my transition into the technology sector, I am overwhelmed with a profound sense of achievement and gratitude. Symbiote isn't just a workplace; it's a launchpad for innovators and a sanctuary for those brave enough to pivot their careers.

Transitioning into tech is inherently challenging—it demands resilience and a readiness to face continual learning curves. What makes Symbiote exceptional is its supportive environment. Here, vulnerability isn't just accepted; it's encouraged as a part of the learning process. Mistakes are seen as opportunities, and guidance is always a question away.

My path has been anything but conventional. As an immigrant, I've held various roles, each teaching me resilience and adaptability—qualities that proved invaluable as I navigated the uncertainties and doubts of a new industry. Yet, in this journey, the enduring truth I've encountered is the permanence and necessity of tech skills for the future. Regardless of age, gender or life stage, transitioning into tech is not only possible—it's increasingly essential.

For anyone stepping into the tech world or seeking their first tech role, I wholeheartedly recommend Symbiote. Here, your potential and passion for technology are not only recognised but also actively nurtured. The team at Symbiote is not just supportive and knowledgeable; they are profoundly empathetic, creating an ideal environment for anyone looking to learn, grow, and excel in their tech career.