Career in Cloud Computing: Top job roles and how to get started – India Today

It's abundantly clear there is no going back to how things were pre-pandemic! Everything that we see has undergone a digital makeover and it's critical graduates and young professionals learn how to navigate the changed dynamics of the business world.

A key requirement for the future workforce will be the job roles in domains that are going to be integral to the future functioning of our businesses and economy. This is necessary not just for the sustenance of businesses, but also for bringing down the unemployment rate that is currently accelerating in our country.

Cloud Computing is one such critical domain. From facilitating online learning to supporting remote work, Cloud has emerged as a saviour in the pandemic/post-pandemic for business continuity. Seeing the surge of demand for Cloud services, it is safe to say that graduates and young professionals should understand and pursue careers in this domain.

This is a high-in-demand role in the domain. These professionals are responsible for programming solutions for the Cloud, including automation, orchestration, and integration.

These are professionals who implement the overall cloud strategy of their company. They analyse the requirements of the business and define relevant solutions using appropriate Cloud services.

These professionals are in charge of the security of the Cloud systems in their organisations, including identifying potential threats and recommend best-fit technologies to boost the security of the Cloud.

These are professionals tasked with managing Cloud-based data services, as well as hybrid data sources. They are responsible for identifying and introducing new data management and security technologies to their organisations.

They design, plan and implement Cloud networking solutions specific to the requirements of the organisation or its clients. They usually work with on-premises and cloud-based hardware and software to allow authorized users access to resources.

Regardless of educational background and work experience, you can get started with the Cloud if you have the passion and determination to succeed. Here is the step-by-step guide:

This is the first step for getting into the domain. Get an in-depth understanding of what Cloud is and what problems it solves. Get familiar with the three big players in the domain: Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the services they offer.

Equip yourself with a solid understanding of key topics in the domain such as Cloud Service Models, Cloud Formation & Architecture, Virtualization, and others. All three big players in the market offer both free and paid training courses for building fundamentals on Cloud computing.

Certifications will help you demonstrate your expertise and stay relevant in the ever-changing industry. Zero in on your area of interest in the domain and explore entry-level certifications offered by AWS, GCP, or Azure. Enroll in a career-based certification path and if possible, specialize by getting a role-based certification as well - especially popular are AWS, Azure, and GCP Cloud Developer, Architect, and Security certifications.

This is a good way of standing out and differentiating yourself from other cloud aspirants and getting noticed by recruiters and organizations. Moreover, most certification courses have hands-on training in labs, which will go a long way in preparing you for entry-level jobs.

Cloud computing is a vast field, and there is no end to the learning process. To excel you need to go beyond the immediate concepts, and learn other related skills, including programming languages, Cloud-focused architecture, platforms and applications - API & Web services, containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes), etc.

It's always a good idea to delve deeper into any domain if you want to sustain it in the long run. Improve your knowledge in Cloud Cryptography, Edge Computing, and other related topics. There are numerous resources available like online journals, research papers, credible blogs or you can opt for formal training.

Take up assignmentsminor projects to get experience in the technology and become familiar with Cloud. Some of the topics that you can excel with hands-on expertise are Cloud Migration for Infrastructure and Applications, Server management, and Cloud Monitoring.

Reach out to companies, ideally through your connections or networking sites like LinkedIn. Showcase your credentials and impress them with your hands-on expertise.

The Cloud computing domain is booming as we speak. The pandemic has validated how valuable Cloud is and there is no going back.

Businesses, small and large, all across are modernising their IT infrastructure by migrating to Cloud and are willing to compensate highly for the right talent in the domain. 'Right' being the keyword here! Become the talent that they are looking for by constantly upskilling and reskilling yourself.

By Peeush Bajpai, CEO, Springpeople.

Read: Explained: Why soft skills are important to excel in your career?

Read: Tips for undergraduate and postgraduate students looking to advance their career: All you need to know

Read: 9 in-demand IT careers in 2021-22

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Career in Cloud Computing: Top job roles and how to get started - India Today