The unique specializations include additional certificates that are designed to help you enhance your experience. All students in the Cloud and Network Engineering program will earn six certificiates from CompTIA, Linux, and ITIL. Earning certificates on the path to your degree gives you the knowledge, skills, and credentials that will immediately boost your résumé—even before you complete your degree program. With the Azure specialization you will gain knowledge and skills that will help you as you progress in your career. In the general specialization, you will work toward career flexibility to pursue roles in IT support, network administration, or cloud operations. Agentic AI marks the evolution from reactive assistants to proactive, autonomous systems that can understand, decide, and act with minimal oversight.
If you want to become a cloud engineer with no prior experience, start by earning certifications from major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Take online courses to learn cloud fundamentals, work on hands-on projects to build practical skills, and join cloud tech and engineering communities to network and stay updated. Being a cloud engineer requires a wide range of technical and soft skills. You should have knowledge of the core cloud platforms, networking, storage solutions, database management, container virtualization, automation, security, DevOps, monitoring, and performance aws cloud engineer management. You should develop or have soft skills in project management, communication, problem solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
Cloud security knowledge, including IAM, encryption, and compliance, is essential for securing cloud environments. Python is widely used for automation, serverless applications, and cloud-based development. Terraform helps manage infrastructure as code, making cloud deployment efficient and scalable. Start by understanding cloud computing concepts, deployment models, and service categories. Learn key AWS services like EC2, S3, RDS, and Lambda to build a strong foundation.
- By evaluating each provider’s strengths, services, and pricing models, you can make an informed decision based on which platform aligns best with your interests and the skills you want to develop.
- The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is an entry-level certification that tests your overall understanding of the AWS Cloud.
- As an AWS Cloud Engineer, your role would involve handling sensitive data and applications on the cloud.
- Today, AWS provides a highly reliable, scalable, low-cost infrastructure platform in the cloud that powers hundreds of thousands of businesses in 190 countries around the world.
AWS is committed to delivering industry-first cloud capabilities for our customers. The scale and scope at which we operate enable us to look around corners and think years ahead—to innovate on your behalf. We have delivered the first cloud-native services for compute, serverless, storage, and relational databases, and the first fully managed, end-to-end machine learning suite. This list of top-paying AWS certifications is based on survey responses from Skillsoft’s IT Skills and Salary Survey conducted from May to September 2024.
Join guided technical workshops to build ready-to-implement enterprise AI applications
This widespread adoption means skilled cloud engineers are needed across all sectors and company sizes to manage and optimize these systems. You don’t need to spend years in school or follow a strict career path. You can start with online courses and certifications from providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. One specific resume challenge faced by an AWS cloud engineer is demonstrating the extent of their technical expertise and breadth of experience with various AWS services concisely. To become a cloud engineer, a strong foundation in computer science, information technology, or a related field is essential. Additionally, proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C# is beneficial.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials Certification
If you would like to become a Cloud Engineer, then attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or related field is definitely your first step. In addition to looking great on a resume, they also offer a broad scope on the theory of the subject. Most Cloud Engineers graduate with a cloud computing certification/engineering. Familiarize yourself with cloud security, machine learning, and cloud deployment. A combination of program management, Network+, Security+ and other certifications help the portfolio. Java, Python, Ruby, and so on are essential languages to add to your portfolio.
The arena of opportunities is high in the cloud computing sector which makes me all the more in demand. The first and foremost step to becoming a cloud engineer is to be proficient in at least one of the three major cloud computing platforms—AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). There are many resources that you can find on the internet, like YouTube videos, educational articles, and virtual or physical training, to gain a basic understanding. Once you’ve done that, you can move on to can get certified in any of the respective environments.
Cloud computing refers to services like storage, databases, software, and analytics that are made accessible via the internet. According to Gartner, the cloud tech services market is expected to grow from $175.8 billion in 2018 to $206 billion in 2019—a rise of 17.3 percent in a single year. It helps one apply and evaluate conceptual knowledge, improve problem-solving skills, build one’s portfolio, and acclimate to changing market needs.
Their primary responsibilities involve designing, developing, and implementing cloud-based solutions using AWS. Prepare for the interview by reviewing common AWS Cloud Engineer questions, which can range from conceptual cloud computing queries to specific AWS-related questions. When applying, make sure your resume and cover letter highlight your relevant AWS experience, certifications, projects, and accomplishments. This will not only validate your advanced technical skills and experience but will also make you stand out in this competitive field. Finally, consider pursuing advanced AWS certifications or specialties that align with your career goals.
Showcase your experience with AWS services
- It’s also helpful to gain hands-on experience with related technologies such as Linux, Python, Java, or SQL, as these are often used in combination with AWS services.
- Understanding, controlling, and optimizing cloud costs is the top challenge in cloud computing today – bigger than cloud security.
- Let’s start with a look at what a cloud engineer does on a day-to-day basis.
- Additionally, opportunities for specialization exist in areas such as data engineering, machine learning, and serverless computing.
The deeper your understanding of the cloud, the more of a feel you’ll get for if it’s the right career for you. To return to our jockey metaphor, think of it as spending some time in a stable and getting riding lessons. Cloud computing provides internet-based hardware and software resources, letting you rent servers and other resources from providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This allows you to use powerful computing, storage, and databases without managing physical hardware. Cloud computing expert and educator Noreen Hasan shares how to launch your cloud career, including steps to take as someone new to tech or switching careers. You’ll work on interesting projects that make a meaningful impact for our global customers.
All experience matters
This includes the ability to deploy, manage, and operate scalable systems on AWS. Knowledge of EC2, S3, RDS, and Lambda is fundamental for building and maintaining robust cloud solutions. Skills necessary for an AWS Cloud Engineer include proficiency in AWS services, understanding of cloud security, and expertise in scripting languages.
They also have working experience with cloud computing technologies and best practices. To achieve this, cloud engineering professionals use a variety of technologies, platforms, and tools to optimize cloud infrastructure. These include virtualization, storage, networking, and cloud security technologies. While a formal education may not always be a requirement, some employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Your degree options for cloud engineering include computer science, computer systems management, information technology, or a related field. This has been a thorough and hopefully conclusive answer to the difference between DevOps engineers vs cloud engineers.
If becoming a good cloud engineer is what you want, here’s what you need to know, including info on what a cloud engineer does, salary, career prospects, and more. Want to know how to become a cloud engineer from scratch or switch from a different career? Earning a relevant degree, building your skill set, and gaining experience in the industry can smooth your entry into these dynamic fields. Doing so may open the door to advanced career opportunities and potential job titles like Linux systems administrator or IT manager. DevOps engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree to qualify for a position. When it comes to the area of your studies, some of your options include electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or a related field.
You should develop proficiency in the AWS security services, Identity and Access Management (IAM), and the AWS Well-Architected Framework’s security pillar. Preparing for these certifications often involves a combination of hands-on experience, attending training courses, and self-study. These certifications not only enhance your credibility but also increase your visibility in the job market. As you’re gaining your education and starting your career, earning AWS certifications is a crucial step in becoming a successful AWS Cloud Engineer. It’s also helpful to gain hands-on experience with related technologies such as Linux, Python, Java, or SQL, as these are often used in combination with AWS services. Internships or entry-level jobs in IT or a related field can also help you gain valuable practical experience.
DevOps Engineer (AWS\GitHub Actions)
Earning a bachelor’s degree designed by industry experts adds theoretical depth to the practical knowledge you may already have. The experts on our IT Program Council know what it takes for a graduate to be successful in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of network engineering and security. Validate your hands-on cloud computing skills through real-time assessment in a provisioned AWS environment.
