Cloud Certifications? Why are they helpful.
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These days, a college or university degree in information and computer technologies isn’t necessarily the focal point of a resume. Hands-on experience and continuous learning seem to have taken the spotlight and can be clearly demonstrated with certification in Cloud technologies and platforms such as AWS, Azure, GCP, and the newly enhanced IBM Cloud.

Here we spotlight some key reasons why you should consider being certified in one or more cloud computing platforms. And once we’ve convinced you, we will count down the top 3 to get you started.

Why should I consider being certified?

Certification in the Cloud may cast a shadow on your competition. As the application of cloud technologies increases in popularity, the competition between job candidates is fierce. Cloud computing allows for work to be accessed from virtually anywhere which geographically expands the reach that Hiring Managers now have when it comes to selecting talent. Basic probability laws will tell you that more options means less chance of you being selected as ABC Company’s next Cloud Engineer. Having a certification in Cloud Technologies on your resume can be your ticket to the Early Bird Draw (aka the Shortlist Pool). It impresses recruiters and is something that details your proficiency at first sight to Hiring Managers and technical leads while spotlighting your continuous effort to learn and improve which is most desirable in an industry that is constantly changing.  

Sticking to our cloud references, you’ll also make it rain. Once you get the job and it’s time to talk compensation, your certification will continue to pay off, literally. Salary surveys show that the maiden salary for Cloud Administrators is generally capped at 82K USD, while Cloud Developers can earn up to 120K, and Cloud Architectures can earn as high as 170-200K USD.  Having Certifications in cloud computing platforms may help leverage a salary increase or target companies that offer higher earning potential.

OK, I’m convinced. What Now?

No one certification is alike, and it is important to understand your needs and expectations before diving in. Never-the-less we promised you our top three, so here they are:

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect

AWS certification is a level of Amazon Web Services cloud expertise that an IT professional obtains after passing one or more exams the public cloud provider offers.

IT professionals earn AWS certifications to demonstrate and validate technical cloud knowledge and skillsets. AWS offers multiple certification exams for cloud engineers, administrators, and architects, just to name a few. AWS certification is valid for two years and can be recertified. With hundreds of testing centers around the world, AWS certification centers are a great place to upgrade your skills while networking with other Cloud professionals.  Examples of AWS Certificates include Cloud Practitioner Path, Architect Path, Developer Path, Operations Path, Specialty Path, AWS Certified Machine Learning, and AWS Certified Alexa Skill Building.

2. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Microsoft Azure is a universally recognized cloud service provider in the market. Being an Azure Certified Professional adds credibility to your claim that you can transform business needs into scalable cloud-based solutions, while ultimately transforming the cloud technology industry.

Microsoft Certified Azure Professionals are tested in multiple areas such as security and authentication, development and app deployment, and cloud solution design.

3. Google Cloud Certified – Professional Cloud Architect

Google’s Cloud Architect Certification is noted to be one of the “highest-payoff” certifications when it comes to certification and salary level comparisons. The advanced certification focuses on the skills required to perform the cloud architect role in a Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environment.

The Cloud Architect certification teaches design, management, provision, and secure cloud solution architecture. It is designed for experienced cloud professionals, enterprise architects, system administrators, and developers who are looking to validate their proficiency within the Google Cloud Platform.

Notable Mentions: Although in this article we are pointing to just three top players in the cloud market, there are other service providers like Tencent cloud, IBM, Oracle, and Alibaba who also offer valuable certifications.

To learn more about Google Professional Cloud Architect certification click here.

At VTRAC, we are focused on cutting-edge technologies and organizations that offer top-quality projects and careers in management, cloud, security, and AI.
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