The latest articles on DEV Community by Ahmed Zubair (@zubairahmed687). https://dev.to/zubairahmed687 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3960452%2F7d057c86-643d-439c-aff8-65647ab940ff.png https://dev.to/zubairahmed687 en Ahmed Zubair Sun, 07 Jun 2026 04:05:29 +0000 https://dev.to/zubairahmed687/i-was-told-to-play-with-kids-instead-of-writing-my-book-at-41-546d https://dev.to/zubairahmed687/i-was-told-to-play-with-kids-instead-of-writing-my-book-at-41-546d <p>Someone on Facebook told me: "Neglecting your own child is toxic behavior."</p> <p>He was right. Neglect is toxic.</p> <p>But he didn't know my "neglected child" was my book <em>Beyond the Algorithm</em>. For 2 years I struggled to balance the keyboard and the kitchen table.</p> <p>At 41, I was told I should "play with kids" instead of writing. That real wisdom comes only after 50.</p> <p>But here's what I've learned: The most toxic neglect isn't of family. It's of the ideas we carry inside us. The book you don't write. The art you don't make. The truth you don't speak.</p> <p>My 2-year "neglected child" is now a philosophical manifesto for leaders in the AI age. It asks: When algorithms make decisions for us, what happens to human agency?</p> <p><strong>Your Turn:</strong><br> What "neglected child" are you carrying? A project? A book? A truth?</p> <p>Drop it in the comments. Let's normalize creating at 30+, 40+, 50+. Age is not a deadline.</p> <p><em>Author of "Beyond the Algorithm" - A book about AI, ethics, and staying human in a tech-driven world.</em><br> <em>Get it here: <a href="https://zubiara.gumroad.com/l/veplv" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://zubiara.gumroad.com/l/veplv</a></em></p> ai philosophy leadership books Ahmed Zubair Sat, 30 May 2026 20:43:02 +0000 https://dev.to/zubairahmed687/from-zero-to-devops-in-pakistan-my-real-journey-with-no-cs-degree-49kg https://dev.to/zubairahmed687/from-zero-to-devops-in-pakistan-my-real-journey-with-no-cs-degree-49kg <p>Everyone told me "You need a CS degree for DevOps."</p> <p>They were wrong.</p> <p>I'm Zubair from Pakistan. No CS degree. No bootcamp. Just a laptop and crazy curiosity.</p> <p>In 2 years, I went from knowing nothing about Linux to automating deployments with Docker, Kubernetes, and GitHub Actions.</p> <p>Here's exactly how I did it:</p> <p><strong>1. I stopped watching tutorials and started breaking things</strong><br> My first Ubuntu server crashed 6 times in one day. Best teacher ever.</p> <p><strong>2. I documented everything on GitHub</strong><br> Even my failures. Recruiters loved seeing my real learning process.</p> <p><strong>3. I helped 1 person every day in Discord</strong><br> Teaching others made me 10x better. Plus, I built my network.</p> <p><strong>The Result?</strong><br> I landed my first DevOps role last month. Salary? 3x more than my friends with degrees.</p> <p><strong>My message to you:</strong><br> Your degree doesn't define you. Your projects do.</p> <p>If you're from Pakistan or anywhere else and think DevOps is "too hard" - DM me. I'll send you the exact roadmap I used.</p> <p>We rise together. 🇵🇰</p> <p>What's the #1 thing stopping YOU from starting DevOps today? Comment below 👇</p> devops beginners career pakistan