Breaking into platform engineering and DevOps often feels like navigating two extremes. When I started, I bounced between perfect, predictable, and easy to follow sunshine tutorials, and the messy realities of production, where overwhelming systems and uncertainty left me stuck and, at times, spiraling into procrastination. That gap shaped my early years and still shows up when I mentor today.

It’s a bit like stepping into the Upside Down: confusing, chaotic, and full of unexpected challenges. The real issue isn’t just complexity. Tools are often taught in isolation, and juniors are left figuring out how they connect in practice. With countless combinations, there’s no one-size-fits-all guide.

This talk explores what I have found useful when mentoring newcomers to the platform engineering space. We’ll look at ways to make connections visible, create safe spaces to apply knowledge, and build community support, so talents can grow without being overwhelmed and teams can onboard more effectively.

Whether you’re a junior yourself or someone looking to support the next generation, this talk offers actionable ways to turn frustration into meaningful progress.