A Comprehensive Career Path for Cloud Engineers

Cloud Computing: Why Cloud Engineering Is One Of The Hottest Jobs Today

Thanks to cloud computing, companies have changed the way they create, host, and operate applications. Rather than acquiring physical servers, now many companies rely upon cloud providers like 

→Amazon Web Services (AWS)

→Microsoft Azure

→Google Cloud 

→ Information technology (IT)

 →Finance (banking)

→Healthcare

→Startup businesses and online retail (eCommerce).

to host and manage their data/services via the internet. Due to this trend, almost every industry (and not just) will see an increase in cloud engineer's demand. 

Step 1: Understand What a Cloud Engineer Does in Real Jobs

Our first step is to establish an understanding of the role of a Cloud Engineer as it relates specifically to the Cloud Engineering profession. Understanding this will help clarify everything that goes into becoming a Cloud Engineer, including but not limited to: 

☆Design

☆Deployment

☆Management and maintenance 

☆ Cloud-based resources 

☆Servers, storage services

☆Network configurations

☆ Security protocols, applications, etc. 

A Cloud Engineer’s primary focus is to ensure the proper operation of systems and assist with detecting and troubleshooting issues, as well as providing automated processes for managing Cloud Resources for Cloud Teams. By understanding what it means to be a Cloud Engineer, new professionals to this area will maintain motivation and interest as they progress through their career path.

Step 2: Build Strong IT and Computer Fundamentals

Cloud engineering is built on fundamental IT concepts. Therefore, the very first step is to gain a solid foundation of IT and computer fundamentals. To begin, every aspiring cloud engineer should learn about computer basics such as operating system functionality, server functionality and data storage. 

An example of this is that because numerous cloud service providers utilize a linux based OS, therefore it is essential that any future cloud engineer understands basic operation of linux. After understanding the basic operation of both linux and windows and their difference's way of working you should be prepared to begin using cloud services via a different set of tools and resources within the cloud native realm of tools and resources. In conclusion having solid knowledge base of IT Fundamentals will equip you to successfully navigate through Real Live Cloud technology and services without becoming completely confused or overwhelmed.

Step 3: Learn Networking Basics for Cloud Engineering

Cloud Engineers must possess the most essential skill - networking. The cloud infrastructure relies upon networks to enable connectivity between users, servers and applications. Cloud engineering begins with the basics of networking, which is to understand the following concepts: 

➡IP addresses

➡DNS,  VPNs

➡Subnets, firewalls

➡Load balancers and VPNs. 

Each of these concepts provides a key component for understanding how to securely transfer data within the cloud, for example; by knowing about a firewall you can control who will be allowed to access your cloud resources. If you do not have a solid understanding of networking for your Cloud Engineer role and interview you will be at a significant disadvantage.

Step 4: Start Learning Cloud Computing Concepts

 Cloud Engineer Training course, the first goal as a Cloud Engineer is to learn the basics of cloud computing by learning about what cloud computing is, how it operates, and the various service models; 

✅Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

✅Platform as a Service (PaaS) 

✅Software as a Service (SaaS). 

In addition to the service model understanding, Cloud Engineers will also need to develop an understanding of public, private and hybrid cloud service models; the concepts of cloud computing enable a Cloud Engineer to have a framework for understanding the reasons companies move to the cloud as well as how cloud solution are architected. This step establishes the necessary mindset for being a Cloud Engineer.

Step 5: Choose One Cloud Platform and Learn It Well

Selecting your Cloud computing platform is the final step before you embark on a Cloud engineering career. While many companies fill these positions using either

 ✔AWS (Amazon)

✔Microsoft Azure

✔Google Cloud

The majority of positions are currently being sought for either AWS or Azure. Both AWS and Azure will provide you with numerous opportunities for growth and professional development as they have strong demand for Cloud Engineers.

Become knowledgeable about the best practices of protecting your Cloud computing environment and be informed about how your Organization secures its Cloud services.

Step 6: Learn Cloud Security and Best Practices

A Cloud Engineer is tasked with ensuring the security of their Company's Cloud environment and must understand various aspects of how their Company secures its Cloud service offerings. A Cloud Engineer must also know how to set up User Permissions and to take measures to mitigate the risk of providing users with unintended access to Data.

 Examples of 

⇒User Permissions 

⇒Limit a user's access

⇒ Certain resources

⇒Secure an application

⇒How to protect Sensitive Data

 from being exposed inadvertently to an Unauthorized User. There is a current market demand for Cloud Engineers with backgrounds in Cloud Security due to the fact that the effectiveness of Cloud Security is tied to the sensitivity of the type of data that is typically stored in a Cloud Environment.

Step7. Understand Automation and Basic Scripting

Automation is a central aspect of cloud engineering, allowing Cloud Engineers to efficiently manage their Resource usage with minimal human input. For those that are new to the field and/or have not yet learned the basics of Scripting, we recommend that you become familiar with creating Scripts in either Python or Shell. You do not have to be an expert at writing Scripts to get started.

 As an Entry level candidate, your focus should be on understanding the fundamentals of Automation, as well as having a basic understanding of how to write a simple Script. The Automation Skillset will increase your overall Productivity as a Cloud Engineer.

Step 8: Learn DevOps and Tools Used in Cloud Engineering

Cloud Engineers frequently work in roles that are very similar to those of a traditional DevOps Engineer. A Cloud Engineer should consider learning some of the fundamental tools of DevOps (Git, CI/CD Pipelines) as well as Container Technologies such as Docker. In addition to adding to your employability, these tools will enable teams to deploy applications much quicker and with greater reliability than if they relied solely on Cloud Infrastructure to develop and deliver their applications.

If you understand how Cloud Infrastructure supports DevOps working models, it gives you an advantage in terms of employability, regardless of whether you have much experience with these tools or not. Even if you only have a very limited exposure to these tools, that little bit of knowledge may provide you with an advantage over other candidates when applying for jobs and working on real-life projects.

Step 9: Obtain Cloud Certifications to Assure Employers of Your Cloud Expertise  Step 9

Obtaining an entry-level certification such as an AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals is an excellent first step toward establishing your knowledge and understanding around cloud service offerings. Your next level of cloud certification (after gaining additional experience) would be the issuance of an associate-level cloud certification 

For example, 

✅AWS Solutions Architect 

✅Associate Administrator

✅Azure Administrator

Certifications give employers greater confidence in your familiarity with basic cloud concepts and that you possess a foundation from which to learn how to use cloud services in a structured manner as an entry-level worker.

Step 10: Build Real-World Projects Using Hands-On Labs  

To become a successful Cloud Engineer, you will require hands-on experience, and creating small project applications on the cloud can be a great starting point as a beginner. A simple project could be as basic as deploying a web application to the cloud, setting up a database on a cloud platform, creating and configuring a secure network.

 There are various options for practicing in a free tier and/or lab environment, enabling beginners to obtain practical experience without having the burden of incurring excessive costs. Furthermore, this type of experience may positively impact your resume and be discussed during an interview as evidence to potential employers of the applicant's desire to learn and grow and ability to learn through practical applications versus theory only.

Step 11: Begin applying for Entry-Level Throughout Cloud Engineering

Once you have acquired the skills and certifications, you will be able to apply for entry-level positions like a

→ Cloud Engineer Trainee

→ Junior Cloud Engineer

→ Cloud Infrastructure Support Associate 

→ Cloud Administrator. 

These are primarily responsible for monitoring cloud based infrastructure, along with providing production support and mentoring by senior engineers. Working in entry level will allow you the chance to learn and develop through real-world experience, which will allow you the opportunity to develop faster than most others in the field of Cloud Engineering.

Step 12: As You Gain Experience, Move Into Advanced Cloud Engineering Positions

Once you gain additional experience as a Cloud Engineer, you have access to advanced level Cloud Engineering positions like the 

✏Senior Cloud Engineer

✏Cloud Architect

✏DevOps Engineer 

✏Cloud Security Engineer.

 In these levels of Cloud Engineering, you are involved with the design of more complex systems in the cloud, and on a regular basis work to improve performances or lead cloud efforts. Since cloud technology is rapidly evolving, continual education is critical to the future success of any Cloud Engineer. Cloud Engineering has a long-term potential for provides stable employment and job satisfaction.

In Conclusion: Is Cloud Engineering a Good Fit for You?

Those who are passionate about technology, enjoy solving problems, have a constant thirst for knowledge, and appreciate the variety that comes along with this profession will likely enjoy a career as a cloud engineer; it is possible to become a cloud engineer if you follow a systematic approach such as starting out with basic concepts in Cloud Engineering, select the specific cloud services that you want to pursue, practice using the cloud platform you have selected, and obtain relevant certifications related to your cloud service of choice. Since more companies are utilizing cloud services globally, and people will need to increase their cloud service adoption, the job demand for cloud engineers will remain very strong in the foreseeable future (at least 5+ years).