10 Tips on How to Enter the Cloud Computing Industry

So you’ve decided to take the plunge into the cloud computing industry. Great for you! It is an exciting field with opportunities everywhere, but it can also be difficult to get your foot in the door without experience or connections. If that sounds like where you are at this moment, this article is for you!

It is no secret that the cloud industry is booming. With an estimated $312 billion in revenue, this sector continues to grow and offer new opportunities for cloud enthusiasts. Whether you are just at the start of your professional career or want to explore some different options, consider jumping into the world of cloud computing! In this blog post, we will outline 10 ways to jump-start your cloud career.

1. Choose your Platform and Certification Pathway

Choosing the right cloud computing certification will help you make the most of your time and money. There are plenty of options, so best to identify the provider that matches your skillset or interests.

The major cloud certification providers include:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS is, without a doubt, one of the best cloud providers. They offer a wide variety of certifications and specialization courses, which are perfect for those looking to work in the AWS ecosystem. There are 4 levels of certifications, which have different scopes and requirements.

• Microsoft Azure

The Microsoft cloud ecosystem is a great place to start your career in the world of computing. They offer two different types of certification programs: associate and professional. Associate-level certifications train you how to get started with the platform while professional-level courses provide knowledge for more experienced IT pros who want to do network management or advanced system administration tasks like Windows Server 2012 clustering over virtual machines (SCVMM).

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform has a lot to offer. They have two different certification programs: Professional-level and Associate. They are both excellent options for those looking to start their careers in cloud computing or advance existing ones. GCP also offers specialization courses that train things like building IoT solutions with Google Cloud services as well as create custom machine learning models using TensorFlow.

Factually, there is no cloud platform that is better than the other. The one you choose should depend on your goals and what you hope to achieve in the long run. Also, consider getting multi-cloud skills because the cloud industry is moving fast, and having skills in multiple platforms will make you flexible and allow you to grab different opportunities.

2. Earn Your Cloud Computing Certifications

While certifications do not automatically result in a job, they are a great way to learn technologies and demonstrate expertise to employers. There are a lot of free resources online to help you learn more about cloud computing. You can enroll in our membership program that gives you access to the entire library of AWS courses.

When choosing a certification course, look for training that includes hands-on exercises. This way you can put what you learn straight away into action. For those who prefer practicing with cloud labs in a risk-free environment, our hands-on challenge labs are the ideal solution.

Keep in mind that future employers want to know that you are dedicated to your field. These certifications will demonstrate your enthusiasm for Cloud Computing and demonstrate your willingness to keep up with emerging technologies.

3. Get Hands-on Experience

Nothing beats practical experience. To develop hands-on experience, we offer challenge labs. These scenario-based hands-on exercises run in a secure sandbox environment – eliminating the risk of running up any bills.

When working on projects related to the type of job you want to pursue, you get to develop relevant skills and gain hands-on experience. The IT field is a constantly evolving industry that is always looking for eager professionals to fill the need for skilled workers. One of the best ways to get a foot in the door is by offering services as a freelancer on sites like Fiverr and Upwork.

Volunteering can also be a really great way to gain experience in the field and meet new people. There are many companies out there that need an extra hand from talented individuals. So don’t shy away from accepting an unpaid internship (as long as it’s temporary).

The best thing about taking on an actual project is that you’ll soon find out whether this new career path is for you. Meanwhile, the skills you’re learning will help build your portfolio (and resume) and make future interviews more successful.

Building open-source projects using the tools and services offered by one of the major cloud providers is another way to gain practical experience. You don’t have to be a software developer to contribute to cloud computing projects on GitHub. It’s a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate value, build trust, and gain skills in a way that contributes to the greater good and builds your public reputation.

4. Build Your Cloud Portfolio

Portfolios are crucial for any type of developer or a computer-related field. Having a portfolio will show your potential employers what you can do and help them decide if you would be the perfect fit for their company.

In your portfolio, always include links to projects that demonstrate skills from all aspects of the cloud: data, application development, cloud architecture, and more. You may also include articles related to topics such as security standards, trends on emerging technologies, and more.

There are a few things that should always appear on your portfolio:

• A cover page that includes your name, contact information (email and phone), as well as a short introduction about yourself.
• An “About Me” section
• Your professional experience in the cloud industry. This should include everything from education to job titles held and even internships or work done outside of formal jobs.
• A list with links to all projects you have worked on throughout your career. Include brief descriptions for each project – they can be technical articles, how-to guides, blogs posts, tutorials, and more. Make sure whatever you include is relevant to what you are showcasing about yourself! Lastly, always remember quality over quantity when it comes to adding things into your portfolio because everyone will know if there’s something missing or if you’re trying to hide something!
• A list of your skills, which can include any type of computer language or cloud platform.
• Your public LinkedIn profile where it shows all the work and experience that is not included in your portfolio but still relevant.
• References from past employers/colleagues who are willing to talk about their experiences working with you – someone they would be happy for an employer to contact.
• Education, including degrees and other certifications.

5. Have Reputable References

If you want to kick start your cloud career, having good references can go a long way in making you stick out. Reach out to people who have seen your work and ask them if they would be willing to serve as your reference. This will help boost the chance of getting an interview at any company because it shows that professionals in the know think highly of you. The best referees are those who are experts in the field and are familiar with your work.

6. Follow Cloud Computing News Sites and Blogs

In the information age, there is no excuse not to stay up-to-date with all that’s happening in your field of expertise. Having knowledge about what’s going on can vastly improve your chances of being successful because you are always aware of new innovations or changes to regulations in the industry. It can be tiring following so many different sites. Luckily there are plenty of aggregators out there who do this job for you! Some popular ones include ZDNet, Computerworld, The Verge, InfoWorld.

Keeping up-to-date on developments within the industry will help improve your skillset so you can remain competitive in any market.

7. Share Knowledge and Engage on Social Media

The best way to build a reputation for yourself is by sharing what you know about cloud computing, whether it’s through blog posts or videos. That builds up an audience who will likely follow you as well as share your content with others. You can also create profiles on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, GitHub – anywhere that will allow people in the industry to see what you’re all about.

If you see something on a social media site related to cloud computing, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask that person what they do for work because it could lead to an opportunity in the future. You never know who might have connections at companies looking for someone with your skillset.

Learning from the experience of others who have been in your shoes helps you achieve your goals in a smarter way.

8. Network

Networking is one of the most important things you can do to keep your skills sharp and find a job. Be sure to connect with people who are in positions that require cloud computing. This will give you connections and open doors that may otherwise not be available to you. Make sure you network with people from other fields as well to broaden your horizons.

LinkedIn is one of the best ways to network with professionals from all different fields. Join groups related to cloud computing or just general IT topics where employers are more likely to look through profiles on this platform when hiring someone for their team. This will also help you establish yourself as an expert in cloud computing, which will make it easier when applying for jobs.

9. Set Realistic Expectations

For those who are brand new to the Cloud Computing industry, it’s important to realize that getting your foot into the door is an effort and will take some time. If you are a fresher with no practical experience of working in the cloud environment, you need to set realistic expectations and goals. This may translate into getting a good understanding of the different roles and expectations of the industry. So it may be best to first apply for an entry-level or internship position that matches your level of experience.

10. Stay Positive

Most important – stay positive and don’t give up! Keep in mind that the opportunities are endless. So go out there and make use of them!

Cloud Computing is a fascinating and ever-changing career field that provides a great future. There are many ways to become a successful IT professional in the cloud computing industry. The above list is a good place to start. Make sure you follow each one of these tips and you will become successful in this ever-booming industry in no time.

Good luck!

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