🚀My Journey from System Admin to Vice President of Cloud: Lessons Learned Along the Way

How resilience, risk-taking, and lifelong learning shaped my journey from System Admin to Cloud Leader.

Hey everyone, I’m Dnyaneshwar Sonawane. For those of you meeting me for the first time, I’m currently the Vice President of Cloud at HotelKey, and I’ve been in the cloud and DevOps space for over 14 years. But before I got here, my journey was a bit of a rollercoaster, and I wanted to share it with you—not just the wins but the risks, challenges, and lessons I’ve learned along the way.

When I started my career back in 2011 as a System Admin, I had no idea that one day I’d be leading cloud architecture for a company. To be honest, my life looked very different then.

🌱 The Early Days

I was born in a small village in Jalgaon, and life wasn’t exactly easy. I lost my father when I was just 4 months old. By the time I was 16, I’d lost my mother as well. It was a tough time. To support my mother and help with my educational expenses, I worked at a chemist shop during school. It wasn’t a glamorous job, but it taught me the importance of grit and responsibility early on.

Even after losing my mother, I knew I had to keep pushing forward. I worked while studying and eventually completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees while holding down a full-time job as a System Admin at SmartData. That was where my career began.

🚀 Turning Points

My career has been shaped by a few key turning points:

• In 2008, I met my wife in college. That experience really made me rethink how I approached my life and career. Falling in love gave me the push I needed to focus on securing a better future. I realized that if I wanted to build something great for myself and my family, I needed to take my career seriously and aim higher.

• In 2011, I got my first real job as a System Admin. That was the first step toward building my career in tech, and it was a proud moment for me. It felt like all my hard work was finally paying off.

• In 2013, I joined GlobalLogic. This is where I first learned DevOps, and it was a game changer. I moved from being a Linux Admin to a Senior Engineer, and eventually, I became a DevOps Lead. This transition is where I truly fell in love with cloud technologies and DevOps practices.

• But the biggest turning point came in 2016. I decided to leave GlobalLogic, which was a big MNC, to join HotelKey—a startup that was in its early days. Now, I’ll be honest with you: it was a risky move. I had just welcomed a newborn into my family, and leaving the security of an MNC for a startup felt like jumping into the unknown. But I saw an opportunity to dive deeper into AWS and DevOps, and I took it. That decision changed my career completely. In just a few years, I went from DevOps Lead to Vice President of Cloud, gaining a wealth of expertise in AWS and DevOps.

💡 Lessons Along the Way

Here are a few lessons I’ve picked up along the way that I think could help you too:

• Invest in your learning: Early on, I made a decision that I would never be cheap when it came to learning. I’ve spent a lot on my education, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Whether it’s earning certifications like AWS and Terraform, or just picking up a new skill, always keep learning.

• Take calculated risks: Joining HotelKey was a huge risk, but it opened doors I couldn’t have imagined. If there’s an opportunity that feels right, even if it scares you a bit, it’s worth considering.

• Resilience pays off: The challenges I faced early in life—losing my parents, working to support myself—taught me resilience. This resilience has been a key factor in my career success.

• Surround yourself with the right people: My family, friends, mentors, and managers have played a huge role in my journey. I couldn’t have done it without them. Build a support system of people who believe in you.

🌟 Where I Am Now

Today, I’m in a position where I can give back and help others build their own Cloud and DevOps careers. I’m passionate about helping beginners and freshers, just like I was at the start of my journey. I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re just starting out, and my goal is to make that process a little easier for you.

Whatever your current situation is, I want you to know that it’s possible to grow and build a successful career in Cloud and DevOps. You just need the right mindset, guidance, and a commitment to keep pushing forward—no matter the challenges.

🎯 What’s Next?

In the coming posts, I’ll be sharing the key foundational skills you need to succeed in Cloud and DevOps, plus actionable steps to get you closer to your career goals.

But for now, I want to hear from you. What’s been your biggest challenge so far in your Cloud and DevOps journey? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it!