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Turning Challenges into Opportunities

By Samuel Akpo | August 5, 2025

Lessons from the Trenches: Problem-Solving in Cloud and DevOps

In my career as a Cloud and DevOps professional, I’ve encountered a wide array of challenges—each one an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine my approach to problem-solving. From debugging API integrations to optimizing cloud infrastructure, every issue has taught me something valuable about resilience, collaboration, and the art of delivering solutions.

Insights Gained from Real-World Experience

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been the ability to bridge the gap between engineering and customer teams. At VergeSense, for example, I designed and supported cloud infrastructure using AWS and Terraform, ensuring scalability and reliability. But it wasn’t just about the tools—it was about understanding the root cause of issues and delivering solutions that aligned with both technical and business goals.

Similarly, during my time at Agora, I led efforts to transform developer documentation, reducing support tickets and empowering customers to integrate our SDKs seamlessly. These experiences reinforced the importance of clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and a customer-first mindset.

Key Lessons Learned

  • Automation is a Game-Changer: Whether it’s streamlining CI/CD pipelines or optimizing cloud resources, automation has been a cornerstone of my work. It not only saves time but also reduces the risk of human error.
  • Collaboration is Key: Working across teams—whether with developers, stakeholders, or customers—has shown me the power of collective problem-solving.
  • Adaptability is Essential: Learning new tools and frameworks, like Ruby on Rails at Easyship, has been crucial in staying ahead of the curve and delivering value.

Looking Ahead

As I continue to grow in my career, I’m excited to tackle new challenges in DevOps, Cloud Engineering, and Site Reliability. My goal is to keep refining my skills, mentoring others, and contributing to the tech community. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that every problem is an opportunity to innovate—and I’m ready for whatever comes next.