Businesses are increasingly shifting their view of cloud computing from a “nice-to-have” to a valuable, core asset in the business. Whilst there are many different cloud platforms available, by companies such as Microsoft, Google and Rackspace, the leading cloud platform on the market, by far, is Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS has data centres located all around the world and hosts platforms, software, digital infrastructures and much more. Launching 13 years ago (in 2016) AWS is now used by hundreds of Fortune 500 companies, including 3M, GE, Phillips, Hitachi and many others.
What are the benefits of becoming AWS certified?
With the high usage rate of cloud solutions globally, specifically AWS, it’s important that IT professionals develop their skills to help design, deploy and manage these cloud applications. Not only can you develop your skills and put them into practice, but you can take this to the next level by becoming AWS certified. In 2013, AWS launched their own Global Certification Program, enabling individuals to certify their technical skills and knowledge associated with building cloud-based applications using AWS technology. As of 2019, there are 11 certifications available to choose from via AWS.
Becoming AWS certified demonstrates that you have a thorough understanding of the platform and its terminology, as well as being experienced in using it. This is extremely valuable to businesses. For individuals, being AWS certified shows that you have in-demand skills, which could lead to more job responsibility or even an improved salary package. For those job hunting, an AWS certification is highly marketable and can help individuals stand out from other applicants.
What are the job prospects of an AWS Certified Solutions Architect?
If you’re interested in technology and specifically AWS, you may want to consider an exciting and rewarding career as an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or perhaps a Support Engineer.
As part of the role, you will evaluate an organisation’s requirements and make recommendations for implementing applications on AWS. You will need to have a high level of technical skills and experience in designing AWS-based applications. You will also need to be able to keep up to date with rapidly changing technology.
You will be expected to balance functionality and requirements with business needs, so it is not solely a technical role. The solutions architect partners with business development and product teams to address customer business problems and encourage customers to adopt the right AWS services for their business.
A typical day for an AWS Certified Solutions Architect may involve:
- Meeting with clients and sales teams to understand the customer’s challenges and needs
- Formulating solutions based on AWS architectural best practices and selecting the most appropriate services based on customer requirements and desired functionality
- Architecting and deploying applications
- Managing tasks and projects
- Consulting during development and deployment
- Learning and researching new features launched by AWS to improve on existing knowledge
- Coaching and mentoring new hires
- Developing and presenting training
Become AWS certified with the help of Open Colleges’ IT Certification Library
Whilst hands-on experience is crucial, you need to understand core concepts, terminology, latest changes, trends and more. It’s therefore important to supplement your experience with continuous learning.
Whether AWS is a new concept to you, or you’re already working with AWS, the Open Colleges IT Certification Learning Library is a great resource for you. It contains over 4,000+ digital assets that can teach you everything there is to know about AWS, cloud computing and more. As cloud computing and AWS are constantly developing and growing, the assets on the IT Certification Learning Library are regularly being updated to. You can, therefore, be assured that the content you’re learning is current with the latest industry practices.
The learning assets include a combination of video courses and eBooks. They range from a basic “Amazon Web Services for Dummies” eBook to a more advanced level “Serverless Application & Container Management” video course.
Assets can be accessed anytime via your desktop computer, tablet and mobile device. You can, therefore, fit your learning around your work and personal commitments, and take it at your own pace.
Subscribe to the IT Certification Learning Library now and you’ll have access to thousands of resources which will help you prepare for your AWS Certified Exams.
