Adama Lorna

I did a Cloud Engineering bootcamp style learning. It's not quite a bootcamp. I was attached to a company that got us jobs afterwards in their cloud engineering team. So I learned to build applications, if you like, mainly Java applications. But we also learned how to deploy these into the cloud. So we also went through some of the things like CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code.  There was a duality to it, building the applications, but also deploying them.

When it was time for me to be deployed to a company or contracted out, the first kind of offer that I was given was support. It was IT support for some somebody who had no background in tech, it could have been a great opportunity, but I didn't quite feel like it was going to be right for me.Then they offered something called SRE, Site Reliability Engineering. And honestly at this point I had never heard of it. I didn't know what it was, which sounds kind of weird. I had been introduced to Cloud Engineering and DevOps, but I hadn't heard about SRE. So I looked at the job description and thought it was kind of cool.

There's a little bit of programming and automation here. There's some more DevOps based kind of work or practices, but there's also a lot about the cloud and still that deploying into the cloud and supporting applications there. I said, this sounds like a little bit of me. I do like that flexibility or that diversity of thought of practice and so forth. So I was like, yeah, let's go for it.

That's a great question, and honestly, it's a complex one. How do we reach people who aren't aware of the opportunities in tech or who might not realize they're actually well-suited for it? There's a significant gap here. It's one thing to hear about tech or engineering jobs, but it's so easy to dismiss yourself. For example, someone might think, "I'm not a math person, so engineering isn't for me," or, "I've never been into tech." There's this stereotype that people in tech have been coding in their basements since they were six years old, and if you don't fit that mold, you might assume it’s not for you.

But that’s not the case. People like me, or like you, can show up online and demonstrate that there's no single way to look or be in tech. There are opportunities for a wide range of people, and I believe we have a responsibility to bring more diverse backgrounds into the tech space.

In fact, I think the future of tech—and the success of companies within it—relies on diversity of thought. Coming from a different background can be an advantage. Sure, I didn’t study computer science, but my experiences and education allow me to bring unique perspectives to this space. That’s often an asset when tackling novel problems. It's one thing to solve familiar challenges, but for the problems we’ve yet to encounter—especially with advancements in AI and the direction we’re heading—diverse perspectives are crucial. This isn't just about tech companies; it’s about the people who will be served by or impacted by these innovations.

In one of my previous roles, the hiring manager mentioned they wanted someone who could vocalize the team's work and connect with others across the organization. Many great engineers struggle to advocate for their work or collaborate effectively, which is critical—not just for SRE roles but across tech. Driving progress in any organization requires clear communication and teamwork.

My background has helped me develop these skills. For example, one of my first jobs was being a receptionist at a gym; I had to interact with people daily in a front-facing role. Later, as an English teacher in Japan, I worked with diverse individuals and honed my ability to communicate ideas clearly. These experiences taught me how to convey both individual contributions and team efforts effectively, which is one of the most valuable skills I bring to the tech world.

Studying geography also shaped my perspective. Geography is literally the study of the world, covering everything from human evolution to pollution to big data. It taught me to think broadly and, more importantly, to make connections between seemingly unrelated topics. This ability to bridge gaps is essential in tech, where teams often operate in silos. Progress happens when those silos are connected, and solutions emerge from interdisciplinary thinking.

I’m grateful for the path I took. While I didn’t study computer science, I loved my degree and the skills it gave me. Sure, there are gaps in my technical knowledge, but I’ve learned along the way. Now, I work alongside people who did study computer science, and together, we each bring unique strengths to the table.

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I have two YouTube channels. The first, which I started nearly five years ago, began as a way to create content I wished my younger self could have seen. I wanted to bridge a gap I felt between traditional, highly academic representations of engineers and more diverse, dynamic individuals. I cared about fitness, self-help, productivity, and personal growth, but I also wanted to discuss engineering, science, navigating the corporate world, and building businesses. So the channel became a way to combine these interests and show that people aren’t one-dimensional.

This approach meant slower growth since I wasn’t niche, but I was okay with that. I wanted to reflect how dynamic we all are—I'm a site reliability engineer, but I’m also into powerlifting, oil painting, and more. These experiences enrich each other, making me a better engineer, creator, and speaker.

The second channel came later because I realized the audience I’d built on my first channel might not be interested in deep dives into SRE topics. I use the second channel to explore technical subjects like using AI to optimize SRE workflows or identifying transferable skills for SRE roles. A big part of this is helping people articulate their skills—many have talents but struggle to communicate them effectively, which is often more important in getting a job than the skills themselves.

I also share shorter, bite-sized content on TikTok, drawing from both channels, and I’ve started using LinkedIn more. While I tend to overthink LinkedIn because of its professional nature, I see it as a great platform to connect and share ideas with a different audience.

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I’ve explored this on my channel, and one video in particular, with over 200,000 views, sparked comments from people saying, “I thought it was just me!”—people with multiple passions and interests who felt isolated. From a young age, I was encouraged to be explore what I wanted. I did dance, but was very good at sciences and chose geography over medicine, despite having the grades. That support, even if not explicit, allowed me to become a free thinker and pursue curiosity without feeling boxed in.

But there are challenges to being multi-passionate. Niching down gives you velocity—concentrating your resources lets you progress faster. If you spread your energy across multiple dimensions, like I’ve done with SRE, content creation, oil painting, and lifting, your initial growth may be slower. Someone focused solely on SRE for five years might have more technical qualifications under their belt. But I bring a broader set of skills and perspectives, which are invaluable for making new connections and tackling complex problems.

This mindset matters even more as technology evolves. Our education system often pushes narrowing focus, going from many subjects in school to just one at university. Yet we celebrate those who make breakthroughs by connecting ideas from different fields—like renewable energy or autonomous driving. Encouraging curiosity and diversification helps create well-rounded individuals ready to adapt. For example, a specialist Java developer might struggle if automation or AI takes over parts of their work. But someone who has explored multiple areas can see opportunities, like focusing on higher-level innovation or interdisciplinary solutions.

Personally, I love programming and my work as an SRE, but I also enjoy oil painting, content creation, and powerlifting. These pursuits amplify each other. There’s a shared attention to detail, creativity, and execution that enriches my approach to all of them. For me, this kind of exploration isn’t just fulfilling—it’s practical, offering synergies that lead to deeper insights and better outcomes.

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