A Beginner's Guide: How to become a Cloud Engineer in 2024

So you're considering a career in Cloud Engineering?

It takes on average 4–6 years to become a Cloud Engineer, but let's breakdown what you need to learn and define in the early stages of your career.

This is the Beginner's Guide to entering Cloud Engineering:

Getting a Degree⚡

You’ll typically need an undergraduate degree to land a Junior Cloud Engineer position.. But since there’s no cloud engineering degree itself, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

Programming to Learn⚡

To have good options, knowing essential programming is important. Whether Python,Java, Golang or other cloud computing languages - depending on the route you want to take.

Other Skills⚡

Certifications are a valuable way to enhance your resume as it requires passing exams, which provides a structured learning path. If you’re new to cloud computing, consider Cloud Computing Fundamentals. With some basic knowledge, you can pursue more technical certifications that align with your interests.

Gaining Practical XP⚡

To build a strong portfolio, start early in education. Gain real-world experience through open-source projects, freelance work, and volunteering can significantly enhance your skills and make your portfolio impressive.

My advice is to create a GitHub profile, to showcase your code and projects to potential employers. It allows you to store, share and collaborate, serving as a digital future-proof portfolio.

Look for opportunities to shadow co-workers or take on tasks. Sign up for cloud platform accounts to explore and learn independently. Pursue internships and participate in open-source projects.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AS YOU GO!⚡

In my opinion, the most important step. As you study and gain experience, building a strong network is crucial. Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and expand your network. Join online communities to meet like-minded people and discover opportunities. Attend conferences and meet ups to connect with industry experts.

During your education, build relationships with professors who can provide insight into internships and job opportunities. As well, collaborate with your peers on projects to invest in your professional growth.

JobSearch⚡

My recommendation is to start early, before you even think you need to. Customise your CV to match the roles you apply for, prep is key for interviews to show you have taken the time to research the business (they pay attention to this more than you think), build confidence by practising interview questions and having goals/ longer-term motivations in mind.

Future-proofingYour Career⚡

Cloud computing is so diverse, with routes to explore such as Front End/ Back End,Data, DevOps, Security and more - you can niche down further as you advance, such as a focus on Architecture or any tooling specialism.

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