AWS Cloud: Your Gateway to a Successful Career!

The way to get ahead is to start now! Did you know a fresher in the AWS cloud domain can earn as much as Rs.30k-45k per month in India? Sounds too much, doesn’t it?! But it’s true. If you are now wondering whether you can also land such a job as a fresher, well of course you can! Keep reading…

We will discuss the below topics in this article,

• Cloud roles
• Where does a cloud professional fit in a typical IT organizational structure?
• Cloud professional average salary in US and India
• Top companies in the Cloud computing domain
• Why do Internships matter?
• Getting ready for a cloud computing job interview!
• How to build your personal brand?
• Roadmap to becoming a cloud professional

Cloud roles

Cloud jobs mainly span 5 roles namely, cloud architect, cloud developer, cloud DevOps engineer, cloud data engineer, and cloud support (operations). Let’s explore them one by one.

Cloud roles

1. Cloud architect: The main role of a cloud architect is to plan, design and assist in all cloud environments. Cloud architect develops an enterprise’s computing strategy. The architect is responsible for incorporating adoption plans, cloud application design, and cloud management and monitoring. A good cloud architect must have excellent knowledge of computer networks, operating systems, data storage, and network security.
2. Cloud developer: A cloud developer is a software engineer who builds applications on the cloud. Cloud developers have to understand the requirements, design solutions, and code and debug the applications hosted on cloud virtual infrastructure. Good cloud developer skills are vast and numerous. Developers should know general programming and scripting, computer networking, creating and managing databases, network security, system architecture and design, and cloud platform services.
3. Cloud DevOps engineer: DevOps engineer role is similar to IT project managers. It’s a link between the software development team and IT operations. The main roles of a DevOps engineer include creating workflow processes, scaling cloud programs, and automation of processes. A cloud DevOps engineer should have good knowledge of CI/CD tools, coding and scripting, good collaboration and communication, security skills, automation skills, and customer focussed approach.
4. Cloud data engineer: A cloud data engineer is responsible for managing, optimizing, and monitoring the data on the cloud. Cloud data engineers have to work with businesses to understand their data requirements and build algorithms to analyze raw data and model data sets. They need to manage virtual data infrastructure such as data warehouses, databases, and data lakes. Cloud data engineers should know database systems, data analysis tools, critical thinking skills, and good communication skills.
5. Cloud support (operations): A cloud support engineer has to manage, automate, secure, monitor, and troubleshoot cloud infrastructure. The role of a cloud support engineer is more inclined to do with support. The cloud support engineer’s primary responsibility is to resolve customer cases through a variety of customer contact mediums like telephone, email, and web chat. Also, a cloud support engineer has to assist the customer in deployment, onboarding, and information security within the cloud environment. Cloud support engineers should have good knowledge of cloud platform services, computer networking, system architecture, and network administration.

Well, there are many narrowed-down specific roles also but these are major ones that are prevalent in most organizations. Explore and see which one suits your interests and supports your existing skill sets. 

Where does a cloud professional fit in a typical IT organizational structure?

One way to categorize the IT industry is by the scale of the workforce working in the company. Let me segregate them into 4 categories below :

• Enterprise (few 1000s employees)
• Corporate (few 100s employees)
• Small and medium business – SMB (less than 100 employees) 
• Start-ups (less than 10 employees).

Many of these types have cloud roles to offer. The specific role and responsibilities of a cloud professional can vary depending on the organization and the specific needs of the business, but generally, they will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the organization’s cloud infrastructure. 

In enterprise and corporate types, cloud roles are very specific. Every job role has well-defined responsibilities, with little or no overlapping of job responsibilities. On the other hand, SMBs and start-ups require the cloud professional to perform multiple tasks owing to the small business and scale of projects. 

Cloud professionals may work closely with other IT professionals, such as network engineers, system administrators, and security professionals, to ensure that the cloud infrastructure is properly configured, maintained, and secured. They might also work with other departments such as development and operations, to ensure that the cloud infrastructure supports the needs of the business.

The rise of cloud computing has changed the way organizations think about IT and has increased the need for professionals with cloud expertise. They are important members of any IT team and are essential for organizations that want to take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing.

So, folks, it’s your choice to choose from these options available in the IT industry.  

Cloud professional average salary in US and India

One of the leading sectors in the technology sector nowadays is computer systems and design. By offering consumers on-demand software and storage facilities, cloud computing technology has considerably aided in the expansion of computer systems, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, it offers high-paying work possibilities and has excellent career growth potential as one of the most in-demand tech skills. Let’s explore some more detailed cloud computing pay insights depending on several variables. Factors such as location, experience, skills, and employer.

Experience is a key factor in salary determination, claims Glassdoor. Based on experience, the following is the typical yearly compensation for cloud computing specialists in the United States:

The most important determining element for cloud computing compensation is a skill. You can make up to $125,000 a year on average by learning popular cloud computing skills like MapReduce, database design, artificial intelligence, migration, and modernization. Engineers that work in the field of cloud computing are paid between $150,000 and $230,000 a year by organizations like Stanford Health Care, Deloitte, and Accenture.

The most common jobs in cloud computing and the typical annual pay rates for cloud computing specialists in the U.S. and India are shown below.

It should be noted that these figures are just an estimate and can vary depending on the location, the size of the company and the field of expertise, the certifications you hold, and the level of experience. Additionally, the salary figures for different locations can vary significantly.

Top companies in the Cloud domain

Everyone is well aware of the top 3 cloud service providers globally namely Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). There are a few more popular cloud service providers in the market and they are Alibaba Cloud, Oracle Cloud, IBM Cloud (Kyndryl), Tencent Cloud, OVHcloud, DigitalOcean, and Linode (owned by Akamai).

The three cloud service providers with the greatest market shares—Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP)—acquire approximately 65% of the money spent on cloud infrastructure services. The top 10 cloud service providers are included in the table below, with a focus on AWS, which holds a 34% market share, Microsoft Azure, which holds a 22% market share, and Google Cloud, which holds a 9.5% market share.

I am listing down a few popular companies working in the cloud domain globally for your reference. 

There are many companies that offer cloud computing services and solutions. I am listing a few popular companies below for your reference.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS is the most widely-used cloud computing platform in the world, and it’s the largest provider of cloud infrastructure services.
2. Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Azure is a close second in the cloud platform market. It offers a range of cloud computing services such as virtual machines, storage, databases, and more.
3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Google Cloud Platform provides a range of cloud computing services, including storage, databases, and machine learning.
4. Alibaba Cloud: is the third-largest cloud platform. It has a strong focus on the Chinese market but is also expanding globally, offering services such as storage, computing, and databases.
5. IBM Cloud: IBM Cloud offers a range of services including storage, databases, and analytics, in addition to IBM’s expertise in AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies.
6. Oracle Cloud: Oracle Cloud is a complete, integrated stack of platform, infrastructure, and application services.
7. Salesforce: Salesforce is a customer relationship management (CRM) platform that also offers cloud computing services for enterprise applications.

A few more are Tata Consultancy Services, Accenture, IBM, Cognizant Technology Solutions, HCLTech, Wipro, Capgemini, Oracle, Infosys, DXC Technology, Deloitte, Tech Mahindra, Amdocs, Kyndryl, Searce, LTI.

These are some of the top cloud providers but there are many smaller providers that can also provide different services and solutions, with different areas of expertise, based on the organization’s needs, budget, location, and other factors.

It’s worth noting that the cloud computing market is continuously changing, with new players entering, and the market share fluctuating, so it’s important to keep updated about the latest developments in the field.

Why do Internships matter?

AWS internships are important because they provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with Amazon Web Services, which is one of the most widely-used cloud computing platforms in the world. As a result, students who complete an AWS internship will have valuable skills that are in high demand in the technology industry. Additionally, an internship with a well-established company like Amazon can help students to build their professional networks and open up future career opportunities.

Internships can provide a number of benefits for students and recent graduates. Some of the key benefits include:

1. Hands-on experience: Internships provide an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios, gaining valuable hands-on experience in their chosen field.
2. Career exploration: Internships can help students to explore different career options and gain a better understanding of what they want to do after graduation.
3. Professional development: Internships can help students develop important professional skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
4. Networking: Internships can provide students with the opportunity to network with professionals in their field and make valuable connections that can benefit them in the future.
5. Increased employability: Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have relevant work experience, and an internship can give students a competitive edge in the job market.
6. Gain industry knowledge and stay current in the field
7. In some cases, internships could lead to a full-time job offer.
8. Financial benefits in the form of stipends, salary, or financial aid.

All in all, internships can be a valuable step on the path to a successful career and can provide students with a number of benefits that will help them to achieve their professional goals.

Getting ready for a cloud computing job interview!

Skills matter the most, but undergoing an interview process is equally important and a great experience in itself. Most interview questions revolve around basic common sense questions about cloud computing. If you are at a  fresher level, make sure you understand the basic concepts of networking, operating systems, databases, and cloud computing.

For a managerial level, the questions are more inclined towards a mix of technical and managerial scenario-based questions. The more hands-on work you do in your learning phase, the easier it is to relate to real-world problem statements. We shall discuss more interview questions in my future blogs. So, stay tuned!

How to build your personal brand?

Readers, gone are the days when we used to wait for the recruiter to approach us via a job portal or some job advertisement.

Today, it’s all about personal branding and marketing your skills. You have to create your own brand and let people recognize you for your skill sets.

After you are done learning the cloud skills through one of the methods discussed in one of my blogs, go flaunt your skills to the world, my friend!

Showcase your cloud skills on LinkedIn by way of writing a blog, publishing a cloud project over Github, being active in any cloud online communities, and more….

Let ‘Personal branding’ become your habit.

And then the magic begins….you get noticed by potential recruiters for the work you have showcased online. Now, it’s time to take the fullest advantage of such an opportunity and get into a high-paying job role at your dream workplace.

Roadmap to becoming a cloud professional

Becoming a cloud professional can be a challenging, but rewarding journey. The following is a general roadmap that can help guide you on your path to becoming a cloud professional:

1. Begin with any one cloud platform (AWS/Azure/GCP)
2. Get a mentor/enroll in a course/unpaid internship/self-learning
3. Build your cloud portfolio on LinkedIn/Github/Personal blog
4. Get the respective certification exams.
5. Connect with industry experts for references and 
6. Be a curious and passionate learner

The path to becoming a cloud professional may not be a straight line, and it may take time to acquire the skills and experience you need to succeed. However, with persistence, hard work, and a willingness to learn, you can reach your goal.

I hope you have an enriching experience reading through this article. Stay tuned for more such interesting articles and information.

Check out this post to learn about a Step-by-Step guide to mastering AWS Cloud