What do you do if your Cloud Computing career goals seem unrealistic?

1. Break Goals Down: Divide long-term objectives into smaller, feasible steps. 2. Seek Mentorship: Get advice from mentors or career advisors to gain realistic perspectives. 3. Skill Up: Focus on skill development through training, certifications, and practical experience. 4. Network: Connect with industry professionals for insights and career advice. 5. Stay Persistent: Maintain commitment despite setbacks, seeing challenges as growth opportunities. 6. Be Flexible: Adapt goals to match evolving industry trends and personal interests. 7. Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate achievements along the way. 8. Reflect Regularly: Assess progress and adjust strategies accordingly to stay on track.

if it is true that IaaS, PaaS, Saas require different skills to master them, it is also true that they share the same fundamentals. So having a clear path forward can ideally open doors to other cloud technologies. Keep objectives smaller and easy to reach , start from bases and one tool or tecology at time can be a valid solution and a path easy to follow. But you should not fall in the trap to try to understand at 100% percent all the things. Big picture comes only where all the pieces comes together. Studying a tool, try it , do the best you can do in a short time, then go forward. When the idea is more clear come back and refine it.

I don't think cloud computing is a career goal, considering the levels of automation, RPA and AI capabilities developing, these career paths would be reduced to people providing logistics services as once the technical architecture is implemented, it should be hands off with the exception of enhancements and development.

If your Cloud Computing career goals feel out of reach, break them into smaller, achievable steps. This makes the journey more manageable and provides a clear roadmap. Tailor your goals to the specific area of Cloud Computing—like IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS—ensuring they align with your skills. By setting realistic milestones, you'll track progress and adjust strategies along the way. Success in Cloud Computing comes from dedication, continuous learning, and a focused approach to your career aspirations.

Identify your existing skills and experience. Are there gaps between your current skillset and your goals? Set SMART goals: Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Network: Attend industry events or online communities to connect with other professionals. Start small: Don't wait to gain experience. Look for freelance gigs or contribute to open-source Cloud projects. Most important: Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. This keeps you motivated.

When I teach my classes, the students loss their objectives to follow, so I usually asks about experiences and likes and then I like to focus on some specific learning paths. However, it is important to show them empathy and experienced guide.

While seeking mentorship and guidance is crucial, don't forget to give back to the community. Share your own experiences, learnings, and insights in the same forums and groups where you seek advice. This not only helps others who are just starting out but also positions you as a thought leader in the field. It's a two-way street, the more you give, the more you receive. Also, consider mentoring others once you've gained enough experience. It's a rewarding way to consolidate your own knowledge and skills.

Continuously learn and adapt. Set goals to discover new cloud services, attend webinars, read industry blogs, or take part in hackathons. Learning continues you agile and knowledgeable. Leadership and Collaboration Goals: Aspire to guide cloud projects, mentor junior engineers, or make a contribution to open-source projects. Effective collaboration and leadership abilities are crucial for lengthy-time period success.

Don't let fear of looking dumb hold you back from asking questions, but at the same time, put some effort into attempting to find the answer through research and experimentation first. Mentors will be more obliging if you can show you're putting in effort to learn and not simply treating them as your personal wikipedia / AI chatbot.

Connect with Mentors: Identify and reach out to experienced mentors in the cloud computing field. Their advice and perspective can help you set achievable goals and offer support throughout your journey. Join Professional Organizations and Events: Professional associations and events can provide you with valuable resources, industry insights, and networking opportunities.

While upskilling is important, it's equally crucial to apply what you learn in real-world scenarios. Theoretical knowledge can only take you so far. Start small projects or contribute to open-source projects that use these technologies. This will not only solidify your understanding but also provide tangible proof of your skills. Remember, in the tech world, practical experience often speaks louder than certifications.

Leverage Online Platforms: Utilize online courses and resources from reputable platforms to learn new skills and stay updated with the latest trends in cloud computing. Attend Workshops, Seminars and Meetups: Participate in workshops, seminars, meetups and conferences to stay current and gain practical knowledge from industry experts.

The cloud computing landscape is constantly shifting, with new technologies and methodologies emerging regularly. Commit to continuous learning and upskilling to stay ahead of the curve. Pursue relevant certifications, attend training programs, and engage in hands-on projects to enhance your practical skills and knowledge.

- Adjusting expectations means aligning your career aspirations with practical realities, without losing sight of your ambitions. - Reflecting on your current skill set and the time required to develop new competencies. - Being mindful of industry trends and job market conditions that impact feasibility and timelines. - Create a balanced roadmap that sets ambitious, yet achievable, milestones. - Cultivate patience; meaningful career progress often takes more time than initially expected.

Be Realistic: Align your goals with the current state of the cloud industry and your own skill set. Recognize that reaching your ultimate objectives may take longer than expected, and that's okay. Celebrate Incremental Progress: Achieving smaller milestones along the way can keep you motivated and focused on the bigger picture.

While ambition is admirable, it's essential to have realistic expectations about your career progression. Understand that success in the cloud computing field often requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to start from the ground up. Adjust your expectations accordingly and celebrate small wins along the way.

What does unrealistic mean anyway? Sure, some things may appear to be moon shots but a lot of things are. Take a step back and figure out what you need to do to accomplish your goals. Visualize and write down the steps. Then start achieving these goals.

Learning a new skill will usually have four phases. 1. Overconfidence - how hard can it be? 2. Knowing enough to realize how much you don't know. 3. Acquiring the required knowledge and applying it. 4. Proficiency. Don't get downhearted or overwhelmed when you reach phase 2, but rather recognize it as part of the process. It means you're making progress!

Cloud computing careers can be challenging, with setbacks and obstacles along the way. Cultivate resilience by maintaining a positive mindset, learning from failures, and persevering through difficulties. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and development, and don't be discouraged by temporary setbacks.

?? Stay Resilient - "Resilience is not what happens to you. It's how you react to, respond to, and recover from what happens to you." - Staying resilient involves enduring through challenges and setbacks while pursuing your career goals. - Recognizing that failures are not the opposite of success but part of the success journey. - Maintaining a growth mindset, seeing obstacles as opportunities to learn and improve. - Establish a support system, including mentors and peers, to help navigate tough times. - Regularly assess your progress and adjust your approach as necessary.

Embrace Failure as Learning: Not all attempts will be successful, but each setback offers a valuable lesson. Use these experiences to refine your approach and grow. Practice Self-care: Ensure you’re taking care of your mental and physical health to maintain resilience and stay energized throughout your career journey.

Attend Meetups and Conferences: Attend local and virtual meetups, conferences, and workshops. These events provide networking opportunities, expose you to industry trends, and allow you to interact with professionals from diverse backgrounds. Remember to exchange contact information and follow up afterward. Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Twitter, GitHub, and Stack Overflow to engage with experts, share your knowledge, and ask questions. Follow thought leaders, contribute to relevant discussions, and showcase your expertise. Social media can amplify your visibility in the cloud community.

?? Network Actively - "Your network is a garden; tend it, and it will provide fruit for years to come." - Active networking means engaging consistently with professionals and groups within the cloud computing sphere to exchange knowledge, advice, and opportunities. - Attend industry conferences, join professional groups, and participate in online forums. - Share your knowledge and help others, which can lead to reciprocal support. - Set goals for networking, such as making a certain number of new connections each month. - Be strategic about your networking efforts, targeting contacts and communities that align with your career interests.

Join Cloud Computing Communities: Engage in online forums and communities dedicated to cloud computing to stay connected with industry peers and share knowledge. Leverage LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to establish and maintain professional connections. Actively participate in discussions and share insights to raise your visibility.

Building a robust professional network can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable insights into the industry. Attend networking events, join online communities, and engage with peers and industry leaders. A strong network can offer support, guidance, and potential career advancement opportunities.

While it would be easy to reset expectations or "upskill", these are typically "straight line thinking" answers. The key to career growth is finding the gaps, which invariably exists, and work to fill those gaps. Pure technical skills on cloud computing would mean a demand-supply equation that will decide monetary growth. But a VALUE proposition - how and what kind of cloud computing customer or company where you work should opt for, showing clear financial benefits, would put you in a sweet spot for growth.

?? Here's What Else to Consider - "Consider the full spectrum, not just the segment that shines the brightest." - Additional considerations include evaluating personal values, work-life balance, and long-term career fulfillment. - Assess how career goals align with personal life, including time for family, hobbies, and rest. - Consider the longevity of your chosen path and how it fits with your values and life goals. - Periodically step back to review your career direction and its alignment with your overall life plan. - Remain flexible and open to changing course if your goals no longer resonate with your personal or professional growth.

In addition to the points mentioned above, it's essential to stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices. Continuously evaluate the market demand for specific skills and align your goals accordingly. Maintain a growth mindset, embrace lifelong learning, and be prepared to pivot or diversify your skillset when necessary. Remember, a career in cloud computing is a marathon, not a sprint, and perseverance, adaptability, and a passion for the field are key to achieving long-term success.