In order to have a successful career as a cloud architect, you will need to have a solid foundation in computer operating systems, programming languages, networking, and security. This is a senior level position in the information technology industry, despite the fact that there are no educational prerequisites (IT). A degree is not required, but having one can be beneficial, and some employers may favor candidates who have one. In addition to gaining work experience, you also have the option of participating in formal training courses and obtaining professional certifications. A cloud architect course, for instance, covers useful topics such as network infrastructures, virtual storage, computing in data centers, and backup and recovery methods.
The majority of businesses would rather hire individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. A degree in computer science or any related domain is one of the best methods to develop both theoretical and practical knowledge as well as skills, and earning such a degree is one of the best ways to do so. It is possible that it will provide you with a solid foundation in working with operating systems, comprehending concepts related to networking, acquiring best practices related to cloud security, and learning programming languages. It would be helpful to have a solid background in a variety of scripting and programming languages. Those who are interested can investigate the possibility of joining a trade association such as the Cloud Computing Association (CCA). The organization’s goal is to increase the adoption of cloud technology across the board, from service providers to end users.
The use of cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular. According to Statista, the market for public cloud computing is expected to reach more than $599 billion by 2023 – an increase from the forecasted amount of $495 billion for 2022. As a result of an increase in the number of businesses that have adopted cloud computing and digitization, there has parallelly been an increase in the demand for professionals who are able to develop and maintain the systems and services that provide the functions and security that individuals rely on.
The field of cloud architecture is one that is expanding rapidly and is providing employment opportunities in a plethora of other fields as well as fields of specialization. Find out what it takes to have a successful career, and then use that information to guide your decision about whether or not a career in cloud architecture is the right path for you to take.
Competencies needed for a position as a cloud architect
- You’ll need a solid grounding in cloud computing before you can begin a career as a cloud architect. This includes having an understanding of the various cloud service providers, the recommended procedures for cloud security, the various cloud service models, and the deployment architectures.
- You can better prepare yourself for this role by acquiring a diverse set of workplace and technical skills over time. The following are skills that are helpful for cloud architects:
- You will need to be able to work with multiple operating systems in order to be successful in enterprise computing. These operating systems include Linux, Windows, Unix, and Ubuntu.
- Fundamental programming languages: If you are familiar with programming languages such as Python, C#, or Java, you will be able to more effectively create solutions and proofs of concept to demonstrate how these solutions will work to senior executives.
- Networking: If you want to be a cloud architect, you need to have a solid understanding of networking concepts such as the domain name system (DNS), transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), virtual private network (VPN), and hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) (HTTP). It may be difficult to develop effective cloud-based solutions that are scalable as well as secure if one does not have a solid understanding of networking.
- Concepts related to security in the cloud Your job as a cloud architect requires you to take measures to protect both data and access. This indicates that you should have an in-depth understanding of concepts such as the utilization of identity and access management, firewalls, virtual private networks (VPN), and in-plane switching (IPS) systems.
- Fundamentals of business: In your role as a cloud architect, you will be responsible for developing business solutions to support the organization’s goals. Because of this, you will need a solid foundation in the fundamentals of business, such as how to calculate return on investment, how to read financial statements and the fundamentals of what C-level executives care about.
- Leadership: You will frequently serve in a managerial capacity over groups of other IT professionals, such as software developers and network engineers, who collaborate with you to develop secure and effective cloud environments. It is essential to have strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
PayScale and employment prospects
There are a number of different aspects that can influence how much money you make as a cloud architect, such as the amount of experience you have, where you work, and the industry that you are employed in.
The overall averages can provide you with a helpful indication of what you should anticipate. Cloud architects earn an average base salary of $114,064, with total earnings averaging $133,056 per year on average. There is a potential range that goes from $75,000 all the way up to $289,000 as a cloud architect’s salary.
A job as a cloud architect is not considered an entry-level position. Working in the technology industry will allow you to acquire the necessary hands-on experience. There is a lot of crossover between the various information technology roles; therefore, you can begin your career in a variety of different ways while still progressing in the direction you want to go. Cloud or information technology support, information technology support technician, web developer, system engineer, database administrator, developer, and data management professional are examples of roles that are typically available at the entry level.
