Achieving High Career Impact Through Certifications
Underlying Lukasz Ciukaj’s professional success is his understanding that the IT landscape is constantly evolving, and maintaining a growth mindset is crucial for adapting to changes and achieving long-term goals. Having started his career in networking at Cisco, Lukasz was eager to shift his focus from networking to applications, software and cloud technologies. A dedicated self-starter, his interest took him from self-study to earning his CKA and CKAD certifications from the Linux Foundation. The effect on his career development and future ambitions has been transformative.
Path to IT
Lukasz’s journey into the IT field began at a young age as an ordinary user of his first computer. As a young teenager a family member who was a Java programmer inspired him with the exciting possibilities in IT. He started learning HTML and creating basic websites, and later applied his newfound passion to a high school class focused on mathematics and informatics. Eventually, he pursued a degree in electronics and telecommunications.
With a networking background Lukasz landed a position as a Support Engineer in Cisco TAC specializing in LAN switching, but over time he was drawn more toward applications and software. In 2020, he developed an interest in containers and microservices, which led him to pursue self-study in that area. While exploring this new field, he noticed on LinkedIn that many professionals were taking the CKA exam, and intrigued, he set a goal to pass it, too.
The CKA Exam Experience
“The experience was truly exceptional,” Lukasz said. “Unlike previous exams I had taken, which required memorization and selecting answers from multiple choices, the CKA exam was different. It involved solving real-world practical problems, and I particularly appreciated having access to the Kubernetes documentation and knowledge base during the exam since it enabled me to verify my approaches and solutions. This was transformative for me because it allowed the knowledge I gained during preparation and the exam to remain with me long after.”
He also cited the ability to use the Command Line Interface (CLI), especially tools like kubectl, as invaluable. “I was able to test configurations and generate sample YAML files efficiently, which is critical in a Kubernetes environment. This hands-on approach not only solidified my understanding of Kubernetes concepts but also gave me confidence in applying these skills in real-world situations. Overall, the experience was intense yet gratifying, as it enhanced my problem-solving skills and deepened my understanding of Kubernetes.”
He had a similarly enriching experience when he took the CKAD exam a year later.
Exam Prep
To prepare for both the CKA and CKAD exams, Lukasz relied heavily on comprehensive courses that provided a solid foundation in Kubernetes concepts and offered practical labs that mirrored the exam environment. He also gained access to the killer.sh exam simulator, which was another invaluable tool for his preparation. Additionally, he studied the official Kubernetes documentation and explored the extensive knowledge base available online.
“I also developed my own exercises to simulate different scenarios that I might encounter during the exams,” Lukasz said. “This practice allowed me to experiment with various Kubernetes features and troubleshoot potential issues, which proved invaluable during the actual exams. By combining structured courses with self-directed learning and practical exercises, I felt well-prepared to tackle the challenges presented by these certifications.”
Career Impact
Lukasz has found the impact of obtaining the CKA and CKAD certifications on his career to be substantial. “Earning these certifications helped me organize my knowledge and gain hands-on experience, which was essential for transitioning into a new career path,” he said. “In my role at Splunk, this expertise enables me to effectively discuss and implement observability solutions for cloud native environments with customers, as well as collaborate with our professional services and engineering teams. The skills gained have enhanced my technical abilities and confidence in addressing complex challenges within my position.”
Future Goals
Lukasz has a clear training and certification plan for 2025 and beyond. His next certification goal is the OpenTelemetry Certified Associate (OTCA) exam from the Linux Foundation, since Observability is a central focus in his current role as an Observability Solutions Architect at Splunk.
“This certification aligns perfectly with my professional interests and goals,” he said. Achieving this certification will further solidify my expertise in observability solutions and enhance my ability to drive innovation in this area.”
He intends to refresh his knowledge and retake exams where necessary to renew his certifications, and is also eager to explore training and certifications in artificial intelligence.
Among his advice to fellow IT professionals is to recognize the value and importance of certifications “Training and certifications have played a pivotal role in my career development,” Lukasz said. “I firmly believe they are a testament to one’s commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.”
Lukasz Ciukaj
Solutions Architect, Splunk Observability
Cary, NC
