You're considering a career in Cloud Computing. How can you prepare for the challenges ahead?

Lets start from learning the basics of cloud computing. Then one can choose any cloud and start learning its fundamentals. Attempt for entry level certification, clear it and it will boost your confidence to learn more.

There are many types of career paths in cloud computing. From sales, GTM, marketing, product management, architect, developer, design, and delivery. Based on the role you can dig deeper into level 2 and 3 courses and seek out those experiences. I suggest to start off with understanding the problem that cloud computing was trying to solve and how it has matured to solve more complex problems for businesses. Once you level up on that base understanding, I would branch out to the use cases that you are interested in and based on the role that you want to pursue, I would specialize in various business or technical skills around those use cases in cloud computing.

I would suggest, following path will help - Get hold of linux fundamentals and if possible, have Ubuntu OS on your laptop. - Learn shell script and python fundamentals, enough to start, revisit if required. - Try to automate manual repetative task (e.g - copy files, installing libraries on server start) with shell script and python. - Learn about Virtualization, Virtual Machines and Containers, Docker and Docker Compose. - Learn about any one Cloud basics and try using it's Virtual Machine services. - Run same scripts over the cloud. This way, we can learn leveraging Cloud and be strong in it going forward.

A great way to get started with a career in cloud computing is picking a cloud provider, getting a test/free subscription/account, and getting your hands dirty. Reading documentation is only going to get you so far. Applying what you learned from the documentation is what is going to springboard your career. One of the best ways to get a feel for a cloud environment is to start deploying, breaking, and fixing objects in the cloud. After you start getting an understanding of how all these objects work together, figure out a way to automate the deployment (PowerShell, Python, Terraform etc...).

Understand the difference between types of cloud models and their applications: 1. IaaS 2.PaaS 3. SaaS Then read any book that helps you understand the Micro and Macro of economics. These two actions will lead you to have a strong foundation. Apply your knowledge by learning who the top 10 and their opposites are, as this will give you a good understanding of what works and what does not work in the cloud. Now you are on your way.

Après avoir acquis des connaissances basiques, passez au niveau supérieur en prenant en main un fournisseur de cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP). Comprenez comment il est structuré, ses différents services, et comment le manipuler.

To prepare for a career in Cloud Computing, consider choosing a beginner-friendly cloud provider, I first started with AWS (Amazon Web Services). AWS offers extensive documentation, user-friendly interfaces, and a vast community for support, making it easier for beginners to navigate and learn the ropes of Cloud Computing.

AWS is a market leader with the best offering for compute and storage, however in general most costly. GCP is the market leader in Data science, Analytics and machine learning. Comes with a competitive pricing. Azure mostly strikes the balance and with it existing presence in most enterprises either with its Active directory or office suite of products have an upper hand in giving good offer and is actively winning market share. Before making any choice good to do detailed analysis of the needs of an organization and the product suite best suited, support offered, existing partnership, least friction path among others before choosing any platform. The organization can also go for hybrid cloud approach where generic solution is preferred.

Familiarize yourself with popular cloud providers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and others. Explore their services, features, and certifications to understand their offerings.

Select a primary cloud provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and gain in-depth knowledge of its services. Focus on mastering one platform before exploring others to build expertise.

Embarking on cloud learning is best through hands-on experience. Utilize free trials like AWS, Azure, or GCP, delving into services like EC2 or Azure Functions. Follow tutorials on deploying applications, managing databases, and monitoring resources. Projects, shared on platforms like GitHub, not only document your journey but invite feedback from the cloud community. Practical application accelerates comprehension, offering a real-world grasp of cloud intricacies.

Understand the business proposition. The world of software has changed with the introduction of subscription based software services. There are many ways to recognize value from a cost perspective. A recent client asked me to improve their software costs. They were very focused on traditional licensing, let’s negotiate for an additional 5% discount. The better methodology to decrease costs and improve partner relationships was to utilize the usage data. I was able to demonstrate 30% of the subscriptions were never provisioned, activated. It was clear that by collecting the data and utilizing it to reduce the quantity of subscriptions. Would yield a far greater benefit than the traditional let’s negotiate for a larger discount.

To create an account in the cloud, you will generally need a credit card. Be cautious about deleting the services after use it in labs to avoid unnecessary charges. If you prefer not to use a credit card, you can utilize sandbox environments as available on Whizlabs.

Practice by working on cloud projects, setting up virtual environments, deploying applications, and troubleshooting issues. Hands-on experience is invaluable in solidifying your skills.

To prepare for a career in Cloud Computing, gaining hands-on experience is important. By following tutorials and guides, and applying what you learn in your own projects, you'll build essential skills in deploying applications, managing data, and monitoring resources in the cloud. Documenting your projects showcases problem-solving abilities and demonstrates your proficiency in debugging and troubleshooting, which are highly valued in the field.

Trends are super important, again we must disregard the business strategy and follow the latest trend. As a Cloud Consultant the only thing you should be mentioning for the rest of H2 2024 is AI. If somebody says anything about Kubernetes tell them that was 2022 trend and to shut up. If somebody says Blockchain, that was 2021. Current trends are all that matters at all times.

Keeping up with cloud computing trends is essential for Solvait to deliver innovative and relevant solutions. We actively engage in continuous learning by following industry blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and social media accounts of cloud experts. Additionally, attending webinars, workshops, and events like Microsoft Ignite provides us with valuable insights into advancements in technologies such as Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365. Participation in communities and forums also plays a critical role in our strategy, enabling knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Stay current with industry trends and updates from cloud providers. Regularly read blogs, attend webinars, and participate in online forums to stay informed about new technologies and advancements in cloud computing.

The tech world was moving at a very fast pace before cloud came along and it's continued to move even faster since then. While you should definitely keep an ear and an eye out on emerging trends, you might want to do that relevant to a specific niche or domain to make it a bit more manageable. For example, you could keep up with advancements and companies in the cloud networking space while also paying a little less attention to the cloud compute or storage space. It is no doubt important to keep up but at the same time you don't want to burn yourself out. There will forever be a constant stream of podcasts, whitepapers, blogs and articles to keep you busy when you're ready to consume what's going on.

When starting a career in cloud computing, focus on gaining a strong understanding of fundamental concepts like virtualization, networking, and security. Familiarize yourself with major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and obtain relevant certifications to demonstrate your expertise. Develop proficiency in scripting and automation tools to streamline processes. Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies to adapt to evolving demands. Cultivate problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Finally, prioritize continuous learning and professional development to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.

To succeed in cloud computing, it's crucial to choose the right role (e.g., infra, DevOps, developer, data scientist, cloud DBA etc.), select the appropriate cloud service provider (CSP), gain hands-on experience, stay updated with industry trends, and network with other cloud professionals

*The cloud space is very competitive. Almost all the cloud vendors have similar product capabilities. However, you can always see that each one will have their strong points. These strong points can be technical and non-technical. Example: *One may not have great product, but have excellent partner and support ecosystem which customer. *Another may have an advanced AI giving benefits to customer. *Networking with cloud practitioners from different provides will widen the perspective and thoughts. *Enable us to leverage right capabilities as needed to build solutions and products and meet the street expectations.

Content is King (or Queen) – Share Your Expertise and Build Credibility. Don't just consume content; create it! Share your cloud knowledge and experience by writing blog posts, participating in online discussions, or even starting your own cloud-focused podcast. Publishing valuable content establishes you as a thought leader within the community and attracts the attention of potential mentors, collaborators, or even recruiters.

I believe to grow as professional we need to share our ideas and develop good communication skills but the biggest thigs when communicating with other is to ability receive feedbacks and accept opinions, cause sometimes people go deep in there ego and it cause them to be close minded and not to grow, having ability to receive other opinion and process it as pure data may help us to grow as better professionals and teach us how to consume right information without attachments...

Build a professional network by connecting with other cloud professionals, attending industry events, joining forums, and engaging in discussions. Networking can provide valuable insights and opportunities.

Before directly diving in for any cloud certification, 1. Get enough hands-on on relevant services. 2. Understand & digest the concepts in your mind 3. Now start preparing for certification, this will expand your knowledge & you will come to know the various aspects/limits of the services that you knew, in addition to that you will learn new services and their capabilities. 4. Try to simulate few scenarios in your free tier account to get hands on with these newly learnt services. 5. Take more practice tests to get more familiar with scenarios. 6. Get Certified!! The above approach works in achieving any certification. "Remember that the Certification is not an entrance exam, it is a badge that represents your knowledge & skills".

Al buscar certificaciones en la nube de Azure, elige las que se ajusten a tus objetivos profesionales. Las opciones incluyen Azure Administrator, Developer y Solutions Architect, entre otras. Estas certificaciones validan tus habilidades en el uso de los servicios de Azure, mejorando tu empleabilidad y abriendo oportunidades laborales en la tecnología en la nube. Investiga los requisitos y contenido del examen para asegurarte de que se ajusten a tus metas y nivel de experiencia.

Consider obtaining relevant cloud certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, or Google Professional Cloud Architect. Certifications validate your skills and enhance your credibility.

Consider gaining the knowledge before sitting for the certification exam. Certifications are meant to validate your skill, so you need to have the skills. Start from the foundational and gradually to specialist of your desires cloud career part.

Start with the basics first for example if one is considering AWS then AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or AWS Certified Solutions Architect may be a great place to start with. Then go for specialty certifications like security analyst, Devops professional if one is interested in a specific field. Go for Advanced certification once hands on experience has been achieved and one feels confident. Singing up for a courses and mock exams are exceptionally helpful while going for an high difficulty exam like AWS Certified Solutions Architecture Professional as the topics are from a very diversified area and one may not have expertise in all the domains.

1. Set your cloud fundamentals right 2. Professional training on Azure, AWS and GCP at least 3. Try to get some practical experience deploying cloud deployments. Create and manage cloud resources, work on real-world scenarios using Kubernetes and Docket etc

Also consider your personality and social needs - not just your pay check or career opportunities. Working in or on cloud services, in all their forms, can sometimes be socially or psychologically incompatible with many people who need physical or human interaction. Cloud operations (generally) by there very nature are delivered remotely and often lend themselves to highly distributed teams and workforces, which may not be everyone's cup of team. You do not want to find yourself in a career that does not fit well with your personal needs.

Whatever your approach, don't be an 'Expert in Certification Only' - build projects! Even if they have almost no traffic, getting your 'hands dirty' by building a deploying something yourself will teach you almost as much as some of the certifications out there. Build to learn the services, build to learn the common mistakes (you'll make them, we all did to get here), then build to learn the best practices and design patterns. Then build to practice your craft.

As with practically any field, soft skills are crucial in a cloud computing career because they facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving within cross-functional teams. Since cloud projects often involve diverse stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds, strong interpersonal skills are essential for understanding and meeting business requirements, navigating complex challenges, fostering innovation, and driving successful outcomes in cloud implementations.

Cloud computing is an ever-changing landscape, so embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Dedicate time to ongoing education, whether through formal courses, self-study, or hands-on projects.