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Ask HN: How to make extra money with Kubernetes knowledge?

25 points by throwawaycka ↗ HN
My main expertise is Kubernetes. I have CKA and CKS certificates. I have a full time job but it is not demanding. I have too much free time. I plan to find another, more demanding position for a better compensation package. On the other hand, I want to learn whether there is another way to make money with side projects. I tried Upwork a few times but haven't gotten hired yet.

I think k8s knowledge is harder to sell when we compare it with app/web development knowledge.

What do you think?

15 comments

[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 43.8 ms ] thread
Ambolia
I think it may be difficult to find small tasks building infrastructure. Most companies probably want somebody that is on top of it for the long term and takes care that everything is running ok. Maybe if you market yourself as a consultant to come in and fix their mess when they run into problems and can't get something working? But not sure if Upwork is the best for that.

Anyway in Upwork you will have to probably take a few shit works that pay almost nothing to get a couple of five stars.

neximo64
What level of Kubernetes knowledge? Are you able to make custom apps on the control plane?
throwawaycka
What do you mean by custom apps? If you mean operators/controllers, yes.
curiousObject
There’s demand for Kubernetes skills of course. But your issue is trust and reputation. That is what you must build. Kubernetes is not the problem. As others said you can accept a few less paid assignments to grow your reputation. But only a few.
thisismerica
Introduce kubernetes at your current job. Make sure no one understands why it's needed or how it works. Stick around for a few months and then threaten to quit if they dont hike your pay. If it backfires, you dont have to worry, you already are looking for a new job anyway.
grugagag
This is mercenary, it happens frequently in this industry
mdekkers
> threaten to quit if they dont hike your pay We always fire on the spot when this situation comes around, and it does depressingly often. It doesn’t matter how transparent and up front you are about pay, routes to increases, etc. there is always some fool that thinks they have made themselves indispensable and will demand money (or power) or else… That’s blackmail and bullying and we don’t do that sort of thing. Nobody is indispensable.
pawelduda
While I agree with you, I think parent was being sarcastic
quickthrower2
Gonna have to be consulting for companies using k8s for the first time. Or write a book about it.
jasfi
You could write a book and sell it on Gumroad and/or Amazon.
3np
Use your time to help FLOSS projects with infrastructure pro-bono? (You mention "compensation package" but have you considered focusing on something not for the sake of money?)
nealio
Create your own Kubernetes tooling that makes it easier to use, and sell a premium version + consulting services to accompany them. You could roll this into your own managed Kubernetes hosting service.
ipaddr
Video course! SAAS product?
thiago_fm
Why don't you try to find partners to maybe build a side business?

You could either sell services or build a product with them.

I want to build a side business and would be happy to not have to take care of servers and infrastructure.