6 Ways to get into a career in cloud

Cloud technology famously enables businesses of all sizes to access data and software remotely from any device and at any time. Popular services such as Google Docs, Dropbox, and almost every social media platform are also great examples of how we seamlessly share vast quantities of data from any device daily without even thinking. This has become the standard expectation in both our home and work life.

 

94% of enterprise businesses are already using cloud services, and predictably it’s causing a high demand for cloud-enabled engineers. As the cloud becomes one of the fastest-growing industries, it has never been a better time to invest in developing your cloud skills or pursuing a new career.

The global demand for professionally certified engineers who are confident in the implementation, maintenance, and development of the cloud is creating many opportunities and lucrative salaries for anyone wanting to future-proof their career. But one of the most frequent questions we get from people looking for a cloud computing career is, what skills should I learn to become a cloud engineer?

Obtain an ITIL 4 certification

The global cloud infrastructure market is $150+ billion, and there is an international skills shortage of certified professionals. With the average UK cloud engineer salary being more than £69,000, it’s easy to see why a career working in the cloud is becoming increasingly attractive. But these opportunities are not just available to existing IT professionals. So, it’s time to stop making excuses and explore the limitless opportunities in front of you.

Suppose you do not have any technical experience and are looking to enter the IT world for the first time. In that case, your first job is to familiarise yourself with the language and terminology that everyone is using. ITIL® 4, which stands for IT Infrastructure Library, will help you understand the crucial alignment of IT and business strategies across an organisation. 

The universal service management framework ensures that everyone speaks the same language in IT. For these reasons alone, ITIL certification should be considered a must for anyone working in a corporate IT environment. So, it would help if you only considered leaping into the cloud only when you fully understand the impact of technology on business and how the framework integrates with Agile DevOps and supports digital transformation.

Increase your knowledge of the top 3 cloud providers

When you have a basic understanding of the ITIL® framework, you are ready to begin learning about cloud computing. Your next step should be to build your knowledge of the top cloud platforms and understand their differences.

The first is Amazon Web Services (AWS), and the good news for anyone searching for entry-level cloud computing jobs is that demand for its cloud skills is currently outpacing the supply. Therefore, the AWS Cloud collection is an ideal starting point to prepare anyone for the cloud job market as an Amazon Web Services (AWS) specialist.

For many, the AWS Cloud Practioner Certification is an ideal starting point. Of course, there are many different options at your disposal. Still, if you are looking for the best training for an AWS solutions architect certification or want to browse through the many AWS training courses, we can get you up and running and kickstart your career in cloud computing. There are a wealth of AWS certification training videos, books, aws training labs, and exam guides within our learning management system, and it’s also very easy to use it as a springboard to other cloud certifications from Google Cloud and Azure.

Microsoft Azure, or Azure as it’s more commonly referred to, is another cloud computing service. Azure adoption has been increasing in enterprises that have traditionally trusted all things Microsoft. It has also been the preferred option for hybrid deployments. But, most notably for decision-makers, it integrates easily with the many Microsoft solutions businesses have already worked with for many years. The Microsoft Cloud Collection will help you enter the cloud job market as an Azure specialist, including specialist training in Microsoft Azure’s fundamentals.

When embarking on a career in cloud computing, many overlook Google Cloud. But specialising in a Google Cloud career and working towards a Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect qualification could lead you to an attractive six-figure salary of your dreams. In addition, Google’s Cloud certification training could put you on your way to being a fully-fledged ‘Googler’.

 

Unlock multi-cloud opportunities

There is an inconvenient truth that there isn’t a cloud provider that is invincible or can promise 100% availability. However, business continuity and resilience are now top of the agenda in boardrooms, and many leaders do not want to risk having all their eggs in one basket. As a result, many analysts predict that Multi-Cloud Infrastructure is the future of enterprise IT.

Don’t fall into the trap of supporting a cloud provider like your favourite sports team. You shouldn’t lock yourself into one area of cloud expertise. Many businesses are now operating in multi-cloud architecture environments where they are utilising two or more public clouds and private clouds. The rise of multi-cloud environments eliminates the reliance on any single cloud provider, so candidates with multi-cloud skills are becoming highly desirable. 

Learning the different cloud options as a single toolset – and then progressing to building ‘multi-cloud’ solutions, will give you a unique perspective and greater understanding of the entire landscape. Ultimately, diversifying your cloud experiences will set you apart from the crowd and help illuminate your career in cloud computing.

Build a cloud portfolio

Building a portfolio will showcase your skills to your potential employers and give them an insight into how you will fit into their team. When building your knowledge, you can also use your portfolio/website to teach others everything you have learned.

By building your own projects in your time, you can demonstrate to the world that you can take what you have learned and put it into practice. But you can also share your perspective and prove you are a team player by helping others pass their certification exam by networking and answering questions from other students at the beginning of their cloud journey.

Depending on your strengths, you can do this via writing blog posts, sharing videos, or being a guest on a podcast. Many forms of content, such as how-to guides and tutorials, all of which will be rich in SEO to help potential employers find you. But be sure to add an about me section where people can learn more about you and help others see how you could fit in their team.

Learn the cloud by doing the cloud

One of the biggest obstacles to entering a new career in cloud computing will be your lack of experience. Thankfully, there are multiple ways of impressing a prospective employer that you not only have the skills, but you can demonstrate how you apply your new skillset and prove that you are ready to step up.

Do not underestimate the value of learning your trade inside Sandbox or lab environments. One effective way of highlighting your hands-on experience is through a series of hobby projects. It showcases your passion and understanding of the cloud and dedication towards continuous learning.

One of the best ways of showcasing your talents is by implementing everything you learn. Freelance work on Fiverr and Upwork or even offering others your help for free will help give you invaluable hands-on expertise on a wide range of cloud practices. In addition, by increasing your familiarity with multiple cloud environments, you will gain the experience needed to thrive in interviews and can provide real-world examples of how you have solved problems.

Remember to share your experiences on your portfolio, and collectively your efforts will show that you are much more than someone who has just completed their AWS associate training,

 

 

Monitor cloud trends

The world of cloud technology moves at breakneck speed. So, it would help if you kept up with all the latest developments and innovations within the industry, not to mention the continuous changes around regulation. News aggregator applications such as Feedly and Flipboard can enable you to tune into multiple news sources and increase your knowledge about the latest trends without too much hassle.

You should also actively attend industry conferences or tech events in your region. If you are more of an introvert or don’t have the time budget to attend, remember that an increasing number of conferences now make keynote speeches available online. You can also register for Learning People Virtual Seminars that frequently provide information on cloud, cyber, and all things tech. 

These are just 6 ways to get into a career in cloud. But if you still have more questions, please get in touch with our team of cloud and IT career consultant specialists who will be able to guide you on the best path for you and your unique career journey in tech.