Cloud computing sounds complex but it could be your next step towards a lucrative career. Here’s all you need to know about cloud operatives and how you could become one.
Cloud computing is officially no longer just a buzzword. The world has evolved to a digital status which requires us to work half in real time, half in virtual. Whole offices run through the cloud, without anyone ever showing up to the building. The age of centralised command centres and asynchronous CEOs are over… and it’s all thanks to the cloud.
But what is this new way of working and how do you kickstart a career in it? We explored all you need to know to get you started in a cloud computing career.
What does a Cloud computing Engineer do?
The engineer is the cloud computing career commonly found in job search sites. A cloud computing engineer is responsible for building and maintaining the software and hardware systems that companies require to stay online. As you know, cloud computing refers to all types of working where data is transferred to and processed offsite. Your friendly cloud computing engineer ensures the systems that do all this flow smoothly.
How Much does a Cloud Role Pay?
If you’re here to as “What is the average salary for a cloud role?,” you have arrived in the correct place. The average salary for a cloud role depends on the specifics of the job. A cloud architect earns most, with senior solutions architects earning upwards of £130k annually. A base salary for a cloud engineer starts around £64k per year. The lowest paying cloud role is an entry level solutions architect, who earns £38k per year. Cloud computing roles are lucrative, even in the lowest levels of the profession.
What Qualifications do I need for a Cloud Computing Career?
Before you rush off and apply for jobs without any qualifications, let’s have a look at what you might need. Cloud computing careers are fundamentally computing roles, which means a background in tech, IT, computing, or DevOps. Once you have this first degree, you can specialise in other things. The more items you specialise in, the greater the rewards in terms of salary and staying power. Here are a few of the recommended qualifications, software programs, and coding languages, you ought to study up on if you want to land a job as a cloud solutions engineer.
- Linux
- Networking, including web services and APIs
- Cyber security and disaster management
- AWS
- Software engineering
- Cloud service platform skills
On top of all of the above, to progress in your career, a company will require time spent on the job. You should not expect to walk in to a higher paying cloud computing role straight out of university. It will take 3-4 years of hard work before you have the expertise needed to ascend to a better paid position. Our advice is that you don’t stay stagnant with one company. Move around, learn more systems, and make more money.