Here's how you can pursue Cloud Computing education while working full-time.

Here's how I tend to keep up with learning/knowledge updates in not just Cloud Computing, but any domain for that matter: - Bite-Sized Learning: Find a good newsletter in the concerned domain. Newsletters serve as a great medium for summarizing latest updates and providing bite-sized information in that domain. - An Article a Day: Medium membership is just $5/month. A powerhouse of knowledge. You can practically read a blog in less than 30 mins/day to stay up-to-date. - Hands-on Learning with Mini Projects: Most clouds services have a free version. Create simple, ugly looking, un-optimized apps for that matter, but just try a complete deployment, simple load-balancing, CI-CD pipelines, etc. Simply put, just give at least 30 mins daily.

When you are working full time, it's easy to get complacent as you already have a stable job and income. Hence it's your attitude towards learning and answering the question "Why you want to do it?", will matter the most, before you start your Cloud Computing education. After that, you can follow this step-by-step guide: 1. Select a major Cloud platform to start your cloud journey.E.g. AWS, Azure or GCP 2. Enroll in an appropriate online/offline course. 3. Ensure you cover all the essential services of that cloud platform. 4. Hands-on will be vital and will help in the long term. 5. Know Linux and Git well. These are the building blocks of any cloud career. 6. After some experience under the belt, consider certification to gain more depth.

Resources are widely available. Needed to be considered is TIME. Already on work ,its easy to prepare . Choose from providers like Coursera, Udemy, and cloud-specific platforms like AWS Academy or Microsoft Azure Training. Please be on the lookout for courses with a well-defined curriculum, hands-on labs, and projects to solidify your understanding.

Taking online courses is a great way to learn about Cloud Computing, especially if you’re also working. They’re convenient and can be adapted to fit into your busy life. But remember, you need to study regularly. Set aside some time every week to study, and you’ll really benefit from it. Some good online platforms for Cloud Computing courses: Coursera: They have teamed up with Google Careers to offer some really useful courses. LinkedIn Learning: You’ll find some excellent courses on Cloud Computing here. AWS Training for Amazon Web Services. Microsoft Azure Training for Microsoft’s cloud services. Google Cloud Platform Training for their cloud services Udemy: They have high-quality courses taught by expert instructors.

Online courses offer a unique structured approach to learning Cloud Computing, particularly those with on-demand access. Bear in mind that they should never replace hands-on experience. The way I approach online course training is: - First, I set a goal and a deadline that aligns with my personal and professional objectives. - Once I've set my goal and deadline, I research and find the best and highest rated courses, then supplement them with official documentation and training resources. - Next, I develop a study plan and stick to it, breaking it down into manageable chunks. This approach helps me stay focused and make the most of my online courses.

While learning cloud courses during work hours might be challenging, dedicating some time each day, even just an hour during breaks or off-hours, is crucial. Consistency is key, even if it means waking up a bit earlier to squeeze in some study time. Prioritize your daily tasks and create a schedule that allows for consistent learning to reach your cloud certification goals.

Yes, time management is the key to achieving any skill in corporate or in today's life It's based on how you manage your time other than work hours if We want to succeed then need to manage work and personal space for study.

Create a study plan for reasonably achievable. Respect your plan. Always honour it Dedicate/schedule time Small steps are important Consistency is the key to everything

4 key strategies that I would like to suggest are as follows: 1. Content Breakdown/Division Break down the content of your cloud computing courses or any courses for that matter into smaller byte sized topics that can be fitted into a small window of time. 2. Prioritization Focus on simpler, smaller topics on days when you have less time and longer ones on days when you have more. Podcasts, audiobooks, YouTube are great accessible tools for summarized content that you can play on the side while working out/eating/cleaning. 3. Set milestones for yourself by when you want to complete a set of topics. 4. Consistency leads to reword Stick to the plan with your end goal in mind and your schedule will automatically be managed.

Here's a simple strategy for ramping up your cloud knowledge, without carving out too much time from your schedule. Set a time on your calendar at least 2-3x a week to study courses for 30 - 60 mins. Defend this time, and make it clear to others it cannot be booked over. Out of your schedule times, save one to review content from previous chapters only - when studying for large certifications, it's important to go back to previous modules to retain knowledge. Set a goal for when you want to get your certification, and plan out your schedule accordingly. If you don't set a specific date and commit, you'll keep pushing it back.

To balance work and cloud computing education while working full-time, integrate learning into your job tasks. If in IT, take on projects involving cloud provisioning. Non-IT staff can start with side projects like creating a website on cloud instances with load balancers and databases. Choose tasks that match your skill level to maintain quality work and effective learning. This approach ensures practical experience alongside formal education, facilitating a seamless integration of cloud computing skills into your professional routine.

Feeling the cloud calling, but work's got you chained to your desk? Fear not, fellow tech adventurer! Here's how to climb the cloud ladder without sacrificing that precious work-life balance. Ninja Schedule: Treat learning like a secret mission. Block out "Cloud Conquest" time in your calendar, even if it's just 20 minutes pre-work or a post-dinner power session. Consistency is key – think daily intel gathering, not weekend cram fests. Lunch & Learn (Literally): Who says lunch breaks are for gossip? Devour bite-sized online courses or podcasts on cloud concepts during your midday fuel-up. Every stolen learning moment inches you closer to cloud domination.

Observe your interesting areas in cloud and analyze the current trends and learn a cloud provider and apply the logics in day to day life or at a weekend time so you can improve the knowledge as well as exposure to cloud

Mental and physical health matter, so you must understand that both are part of your study journey, eat well, exercise, sleep well, this is part of the journey, always study, but study in a way that respects your body and your mind

Maintaining a balance between work and study is essential to prevent burnout. I’ve learned to set realistic goals and avoid overloading myself. It’s important to communicate with your employer about your educational goals; some may even offer support, such as flexible working hours or course funding. Ensuring you take regular breaks and allocate time for rest and relaxation will help you maintain both your professional performance and academic progress.

Learning by doing is the best way of learning in my opinion and if it's combined with collaboration and knowledge sharing, it definitely takes the learning to next level. In a team comprising of experts in different areas related to cloud computing, it's best to organize sessions to share learning and demonstrate best practices by doing. It helps in validating if the approach we are following to problem solving / troubleshooting / development requires any improvements. Now a days there are various forums / avenues where cloud enthusiasts / professions can collaborate and learn from each other. Platforms like Linked In, Scalar, local cloud communities etc. provide ample opportunities for learning through collaboration and connect.

Always part of similar-minded people. Study groups Linkedin groups Discord study groups. Reddit communities Always Learn by doing. ask questions in groups

Peer learning is a beneficial way to learn. Talking to your Senior colleagues and people who have the same interests as you can create great topics for conversations while increasing your knowledge over a single cup of coffee. Sharing experiences, ideas and collaborating on projects through pair programming techniques are great ways to bond and learn at the same time. Online platforms like discussion forums and discord channels allow you to stay motivated and find solutions to complex topics with people in similar predicament as you. You learn by doing and you grow by networking and knowledge sharing.

Learning from your peers is the best way to quickly pick up the nuances of the cloud, you want to create these opportunities for yourself to enable a quick adoption: - Pair programming Be bold and create these opportunities yourself, if you show you are willing to learn you and have a hunger for knowledge people will want to share with you, if they don't you're not in the right environment to learn what you need. - Setting yourself challenges Setting yourself a challenge can create the essential skills you will need in your job as a cloud engineer, if you can have your peers set you challenges even better. - be persistent Hardest part of this undertaking is the learning curve, keep practicing and you'll find those gains.

I believe Practical Learning is the most vital aspect of learning Cloud. You ought to have the practical hands-on and knowledge about managing the bills, and maximizing your resource utilization. I would recommend someone trying to learn a specific cloud, to try the free trial and try using and testing every possible service. Theory can only take you so far.

To truly understand cloud computing concepts, hands-on experience is invaluable. I suggest volunteering for relevant projects at work or starting your own projects at home. This practical application reinforces what you've learned and builds confidence in your skills. It can also be a great talking point in job interviews, showcasing your initiative and real-world knowledge. Remember, the deepest learning often happens through real-world application.

I believe that labs are important for identifying errors, as some details are only noticed when we execute them, and the final result is different from what we learned, and we have to reason why we didn't get the result by doing troubleshooting, this adds a lot in knowledge and fixation of theoretical content

Applying what you learn in real-world scenarios solidifies your understanding. I’ve used platforms like AWS Free Tier and Microsoft Azure's trial offerings to practice deploying and managing cloud services. Working on small projects or contributing to open-source projects can provide practical experience that complements your theoretical knowledge. If possible, try to integrate cloud computing tasks into your current job to gain practical experience and demonstrate your growing expertise.

In my experience, Practical Application of Cloud Computing concepts should be part of your study plan, whether you are studying for a specific certification or just trying to expand your existing skill set. Whenever possible, try to find an online course that provides you with a Sandbox where you can experiment with the concepts and services learnt in the previous lessons. I have found this method more instructive and easier to follow than deploying and configuring the resources by yourself in a Free Tier Cloud Subscription, which can sometimes be overwhelming if you lack the experience and guidance necessary.

Certifications are a great way to keep the motivation going in terms of learning goals, as they help you quantify what you have learned and give you a sense of accomplishment after passing a difficult exam. One of the most important lessons I have gathered after passing 20+ certification exams is that waiting too long to take an exam can be just as detrimental to your motivation and development as going to an exam unprepared in terms of knowledge and hands-on practice. Delaying an exam holds you back when, in reality, you may be fully prepared to tackle that challenge. My advice would be: GO FOR IT! If you have prepared for an exam long enough, chances are you will most likely pass it, even if you don’t feel confident.

In my cloud journey, with absolute certainty, certifications were fundamental, and not just because of having them, but because of the journey we have to go through to obtain them, the journey of learning, focus, repetitions, hand in hand. lots, simulations, I really acquired the knowledge to be able to pass the test, it helped me in my career as a whole, get certificates!

We should have the Certification goal because certifications lead you to the goal of knowledge, implementation of solutions and it also makes your impression in the cloud industry.

I've always believed in the power of continuous learning, and earning certifications has been a significant part of my journey, especially in the ever-evolving field of cloud computing. Setting realistic and achievable certification goals has kept me focused and motivated. Preparing for these exams while working full-time has undoubtedly been challenging, but it has also showcased my dedication and capability to potential employers. The practical and theoretical knowledge I've gained through certification has been invaluable, and I look forward to continuing my professional growth in this dynamic industry.

One thing that people don't do is build something combining multiple services instead of learning or trying out a single service. For example, if I'm learning s3 , and I only practice it doesn't help, but if I build something around s3 or integrate it with other services it will be of great use. Also when learning cloud computing with limited time try learning with labs rather than videos or creating your environment manually. Labs will reduce the time wasted on environment setup.

10 steps to success: 1. Set Goals: Define clear cloud computing objectives. 2. Schedule Study Time: Dedicate weekly hours for learning. 3. Use Online Resources: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and vendor-specific training (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). 4. Certifications: Pursue certifications like AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, and Google Cloud Architect. 5. Join Communities: Engage in forums and study groups. 6. Practical Application: Work on projects and use free cloud tiers for hands-on experience. 7. Employer Support: Seek financial aid and flexible hours. 8. Stay Updated: Follow industry trends and news. 9. Balance: Prioritize tasks and maintain health. 10. Enjoy the Journey!

Two additional considerations are networking and mentorship. Networking involves attending industry conferences and seminars to connect with professionals and stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. Mentorship is equally important; seeking out mentors who can provide guidance, share their experiences, and offer advice on navigating the cloud computing landscape can be invaluable for your professional development.

Stay Motivated: Remember why you're pursuing this education and celebrate milestones to stay motivated throughout the journey.