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My Engineering Journey: Learning AutoCAD and Documenting the Process

Hey everyone,

Before we dive into today’s topic, I wanted to share a bit about my recent journey in learning AutoCAD. As an engineering student, I’ve always been fascinated by design and the intricate details that go into bringing projects to life. Recently, I decided to dive deeper into that world by learning AutoCAD, and let me tell you, the experience has been awesome!

Every new project feels like unlocking a different part of my creativity. What’s been even more exciting is that I’ve been documenting my progress on my personal YouTube channel. If you're curious to see what I’ve been up to, check out my updates here.

Now that I’m getting the hang of it, it’s amazing to think about how these skills could tie into my work in DevOps and tech in general. There's something about the process of creating that connects everything, whether it’s designing a building or orchestrating infrastructure.

Let’s shift gears and jump into today’s discussion—Can a company scale without Kubernetes?

Recently, I was in a discussion that got me thinking about one of the hottest topics in the tech world—scaling, and whether Kubernetes is truly the only path forward. The conversation included my mentor, a senior DevOps engineer, who firmly responded, “No! How is that even possible unless you're not scaling for real traffic?” The fact that Kubernetes is known as the gold standard tool for scaling can never be denied. But does that mean it's the only way?

As someone working in DevOps and constantly trying to balance technology with business needs, I’ve had my thoughts on this. Especially for startups and smaller companies that are not dealing with millions of daily users, Kubernetes might not be the must-have tool we think it is—at least not in the early stages.

The Case for Kubernetes

Let’s start with the obvious. Kubernetes is fantastic for companies with high traffic, complex infrastructures, and a need for multi-cloud flexibility. It's powerful, scalable, and handles container orchestration with ease. Senior engineers I’ve worked with often quote something like: “Kubernetes isn’t just about scaling; it’s about managing chaos at scale.”

When you have hundreds, if not thousands, of microservices running in containers, Kubernetes helps you manage them without losing sleep. It automates much of the workload and ensures your services are running smoothly, no matter how much traffic your app is handling.

That’s why when you hear people ask, “Can I scale without Kubernetes?” the automatic response, especially from experts like my mentor, is often a hard “No!” For large companies, not using Kubernetes might mean you’re leaving too much to chance; risking downtime, inefficiency, or worse.

The Reality for Startups

But what about smaller companies or startups? Does every company need to dive headfirst into Kubernetes from the get-go? Not necessarily. Many startups might find it overkill.

Here’s where the story gets interesting.

Later in the discussion, he added;

Kubernetes is powerful, but it's also complex. Not every company has the resources or the need to manage that level of complexity right away.

For smaller companies that are just finding their footing, managing the complexity of Kubernetes can be a distraction. Imagine a startup with a small DevOps team—deploying Kubernetes might be more trouble than it’s worth in the early stages. There are simpler tools like Docker Swarm or even Docker Compose that allow companies to scale without needing the heavy-duty infrastructure Kubernetes offers.

Another senior engineer I know once said:

Scaling is about solving problems as they come, not jumping straight to solutions that don’t fit your size.

For many startups, that means starting small, using simpler platforms to scale until Kubernetes becomes a necessity. Why waste precious time and resources managing Kubernetes clusters when you’re still trying to validate your product-market fit?

The Middle Ground: Start Small, Scale When Needed

There’s no denying Kubernetes’ value when your company is scaling rapidly and dealing with serious traffic. But that’s not where every company starts. Sometimes, focusing on building your product, understanding your users, and generating value is far more important than jumping into complex systems.

To wrap this up, here’s my take:
A company can absolutely scale without Kubernetes, initially. But as your company grows and the traffic scales, Kubernetes will likely become a tool you can’t avoid. So, instead of focusing on whether or not Kubernetes is a must, ask yourself; “At what stage does my company need Kubernetes?”

Until Next Time, Keep Scaling!

That’s it for this edition! As you go through the week, keep scaling in your own way—whether it's building something cool, learning new skills, or just handling life. And don’t forget to have some fun while you’re at it. After all, what’s life without a little cruise?

Catch you in the next one. Keep winning!

P.S. Whether you’re building a startup or scaling a tech giant, don’t be afraid to start with simpler solutions and grow as needed. Remember, in tech, it’s not always about doing what’s popular, it’s about doing what works for you.