How to make a career in cloud computing?

Introduction

We all are already aware of the enormous demand for cloud computing professionals in the job market. Cloud computing is transforming the professional skillset demands for success in modern technology environments. A career in cloud computing may range from developers and architects to data scientists and network security professionals, and more. These require specific sub-specializations, but many of us are clueless regarding how to build a career in the cloud computing domain. 

If you are figuring out the best path forward, keeping in mind the changing market scenario and needs, read on as we introduce you to cloud computing and provide you insights into cloud computing skills. 

1. Cloud computing scope
2. Top skills for a successful cloud computing career

1. Cloud computing scope

Many experts have rated it as the most sought-after tech skills, along with artificial intelligence and big data. The career scope in cloud computing is increasing rapidly with the technology’s dynamic nature, leading to high demand for cloud engineers. 

Tech giants like IBM, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft rely heavily on cloud technology for offering superior products and services. The enormity of cloud computing career opportunities can be assessed because it has emerged as a standard of data management and storage. A priority for major organizations is varied roles for professionals in the management, development, security, and analysis domain. 

As companies worldwide tread towards cloud services, professionals to have all the requisite skills required for cloud computing, from the migration to cloud infrastructure. Professionals mainly have to deal with three types of cloud services:

• Software as a Service (SaaS): It is an on-demand delivery of applications over the Internet, as a service. It does not entail the installation and maintenance of software. 
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): It is a comprehensive development environment on the cloud that enables the delivery of apps and enterprise applications to the organizations. 
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): It is an instant computing infrastructure installed and managed over the Internet, avoiding the complexity of having its own servers and other data center infrastructure. 

2. Top skills for a successful cloud computing career

As you start a career in cloud computing, you need to be aware that it is not the easiest of jobs to acquire. Cloud computing skills are demanding in a way. Let’s learn more about how to start a career in cloud computing. 

A) Database management and coding

Companies are in a race to maximize the wealth of data, and a professional who can help them with it is in high demand. For a successful career in cloud computing, knowledge of database query language and related platforms is essential. SQL remains the most prevalent database language, and you add muscle to your skills with MySQL, Hadoop, or MongoDB. 

Along with this, your Linux skills will be helpful for a career in AWS cloud computing. You need to be proficient in:

· Architecture setup

· Designing

· Developing

· Administration

· Management 

Coding skills in Python, Perl, PHP, Java, .NET, and Ruby will also come in handy. Cloud computing allows programmers to create and execute scalable applications that can handle large volumes. 

B) Professional credentials

The IT industry’s emphasis on courses and certifications is known to all, and the cloud domain is no different in this aspect. Therefore, it is the right answer for your query ‘how to get into cloud computing?’

The training and certification provide the much-needed impetus for your career in cloud computing. The courses and certifications from significant service providers like Amazon and Microsoft are well known for their curriculum, teaching methodology, and industry recognition. The other popular ones include AWS Certification, Azure, and Google Cloud Certification. 

However, these certifications do bring in value addition to the resume but are insufficient in providing professional growth on its own. Getting hands-on experience is vital, and the certificate is merely a beginning in the right direction. 

C) Cloud platforms and technologies

These skills will be vital for any IT professional to forge ahead in cloud computing. These additional cloud skills will equip the professional to fit and rise in any technology environment. The commonly used cloud platforms in which you should aim for proficiency are:

· Google Cloud Platform

· Microsoft Azure

· Amazon Web Services

We suggest you learn any one of the platforms mentioned above, and if you can manage to master all of these three, it can be an impressive feat to achieve. Not only will it reflect your level of commitment towards your career, but it will also transform you into a versatile professional. 

D) Environments and data integration

It is one of the vital skills required for a cloud computing career. In today’s modern environments, there is increasing use of different cloud services and cloud types. From public and private to the hybrid ones, such multi-cloud environments are emerging as a norm. 

It implies that a successful professional needs to be apt in managing such complex technological environments. 

A vast amount of data is obtained from multiple vendors, different data centers, and diverse platforms at the organizational level. It is a challenge to unify these databases in the required way. This mammoth task for data utilization requires exceptional levels of cloud skills. Therefore, for professionals looking to specialize in cloud architecture, proficiency in data integration is vital.

E) Business and data management

Apart from the required technological skills, a sound cloud professional needs to be good at managing people and resources as well. You need to learn how to manage human resources, communicate with them effectively, and get into the negotiation mode as and when required. 

The managerial skills that you need to acquire fall into two categories, namely- internal and external. Internal refers to the ones required within the organization, and external relates to the vendors and other service providers. 

Alongside, you need to learn to be cautious regarding the security of all online operations. Cloud computing entails the customization of data for every business possibility. You will have to remodel data and tailor it into formats as specified by each department of the organization. 

F) Specific skills

Based on the surveys and cloud computing experts, the top must-have skills for a successful cloud computing career are: 

• Java – a popular programming language for its cloud-friendly enhancements.
• Azure – witnessing phenomenal growth in the cloud computing space. 
• Puppet- Often used in DevOps environments for AWS automation, it has immense value for enterprises. 
• Chef- It brings analytics at the enterprise level with its automated tool.
• Agile- These project management practices are seeing growth every year. 
• Ansible- It is an open-source server environment for cloud-based applications. 
• Docker- Another open source technology that brings automation in the setup and use of software programs. 
• VMware- It is popular in all domains with its virtualized cloud environments. 
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)- A pioneer that enjoys the largest market share. 

Conclusion

Get ready to kickstart your career in cloud computing with our insights and suggested learning path. Cloud computing offers several exciting career opportunities for IT professionals to leverage their expertise for growth. 

If you are looking for an extensive course in Cloud Computing, then the 5.5-month online Postgraduate Certificate Program In Cloud Computing offered by Jigsaw Academy can be of help. This program helps interested learners become complete Cloud professionals.