Kubernetes

Day 7: Your Kubernetes Learning Roadmap — What’s Next After the Basics?

Congratulations!

You’ve made it through:

  • Containers & Docker
  • Pods
  • Nodes & Clusters
  • Deployments & ReplicaSets
  • Services
  • ConfigMaps & Secrets

You’ve just unlocked the foundation of Kubernetes.

But Kubernetes is big. It’s normal to now think:

“What do I do next? How do I go from basics to real-world skills?”

This post will give you the answer.

The Kubernetes Learning Roadmap

Here’s a simple path we recommend:

1️⃣ Beginner Stage: Solidify the Core

What to learn next:

  • Understand Namespaces (kubectl get ns)
  • Practice creating Pods, Deployments, Services
  • Play with ConfigMaps & Secrets
  • Understand CrashLoopBackOff, Pending Pod errors

Tools:
👉 KodeKloud Kubernetes Free Labs
👉 Kubernetes Playground

Goal: Be confident to deploy small apps on Kubernetes.

2️⃣ Advanced Beginner Stage: Start Real-World Projects

What to explore:

  • Volumes & Persistent Storage
  • Kubernetes Networking basics
  • Rolling Updates & Rollbacks
  • Horizontal Pod Autoscaling

Tools:
👉 KodeKloud Kubernetes Learning Path

Goal: Run small microservices apps in Kubernetes with persistence & scaling.

3️⃣ Intermediate Stage: Kubernetes in Production

What to master:

  • Ingress Controllers
  • Network Policies
  • Pod Security & RBAC
  • Monitoring with Prometheus + Grafana
  • Troubleshooting broken apps in Kubernetes
  • Helm charts for deploying apps

Certification Tip: Start preparing for CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator).

Tools:
👉 KodeKloud CKA Course
👉 Official Kubernetes Docs

Goal: Be job-ready for DevOps & Cloud Native roles.

Bonus: Printable Kubernetes Learning Checklist

We recommend keeping this simple checklist as your personal tracker:

[ ] I understand Containers & Docker
[ ] I know how to use kubectl
[ ] I can create and manage Pods
[ ] I know how Deployments & ReplicaSets work
[ ] I can expose apps using Services
[ ] I can manage ConfigMaps & Secrets
[ ] I understand Clusters, Nodes, and the Control Plane
[ ] I’ve tried Kubernetes labs or playgrounds
[ ] I’ve deployed a real-world app in Kubernetes
[ ] I’m exploring intermediate concepts (Volumes, Ingress, Monitoring)

👉 Pro tip: Print it or keep it in Notion/GitHub and check items off as you progress!

Final Words of Encouragement

Kubernetes is NOT something you master overnight.
The key is consistent practice + real projects.

Even learning these basics puts you ahead of most beginner engineers.

Where to Go From Here

You’ve started your Cloud Native journey — keep going.

We’ll be here to help every step of the way.

New here? Start from Day 1 and catch up on the series:

Day 1: What Is Kubernetes & Why Should You Care?
Discover why Kubernetes matters and how it changes the game.

Day 2: What Are Pods in Kubernetes?
Understand the smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes.

Day 3: Understanding Nodes, Clusters & the Kubernetes Control Plane
See how all the pieces connect behind the scenes.

Day 4: Deployments & ReplicaSets — How Kubernetes Runs and Manages Your App
⚙Learn how Kubernetes keeps your apps running smoothly.

Day 5: Kubernetes Services — How Your App Gets a Stable IP or URL
Discover how Services expose and connect your app reliably.

Day 6: ConfigMaps & Secrets — Managing App Settings and Sensitive Data
Learn how to securely manage configuration data and sensitive information in Kubernetes.

Nimesha Jinarajadasa

• 2 min read