How to Become
a Cloud Architect

Organizations and businesses nowadays rely on cloud services to store data and make it accessible anywhere. Cloud architects are the ones who maintain cloud systems and keep them secure. In this comprehensive guide, you will find out how to become a cloud architect.

Becoming a cloud architect requires you to learn cloud computing and master various technical skills. Picking the right education pathway will be a big help. Fortunately, there are plenty of learning options to choose from.

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A cloud architect is responsible for an organization’s cloud computing plans and strategies. Cloud architects design the cloud, manage data on the cloud, and ensure that the cloud is well protected. They are considered information technology specialists and they often share skills with software developers and network architects.

A cloud can be made for public or private use. Either way, the cloud architect has to make sure that members of the organization can access its data from anywhere. The goal is to make processes easier for businesses, so a cloud architect must be solutions-oriented.

To work as a cloud architect, you need to enroll in classes or courses to acquire the necessary skills. Most organizations require a bachelor’s degree but there are other ways to get the knowledge you need.

Organizations and companies expect cloud architects to have a bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science is usually sufficient, as it covers the necessary skills and knowledge related to computing. During a four-year course at a university, you deal with case studies and participate in hands-on lab sessions to build practical skills.

If you don’t want to dive straight into a bachelor’s degree program, you can enroll in an associate degree program at a community college first. And after you complete your bachelor’s, you can enhance your worth even more by earning a Master’s Degree in Computer Science or a Ph.D.

Bootcamps are a great alternative to traditional degrees. Bachelor’s degrees are broad and cover major topics, while a boot camp program is more specific. There are several online boot camps that can boost your resume and teach you advanced skills in a short period of time.

Various bootcamps partner with reputable tech companies that work with cloud infrastructures. Bootcamps like Divergence Academy and DigitalCrafts offer cloud architect programs. In as little as 12 weeks, you will learn the ins and outs of Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.

If you do not want to commit to a bootcamp, there are online courses available that require less commitment. They are essential in preparing you to pass cloud certification exams.

There are also related courses outside the scope of cloud architecture, which can still benefit your career. Short courses on coding, information technology, and network systems are available online through platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Udacity.

To score a job as a cloud architect, you need some formal education along with mastery of specific technical skills. Earning a professional certification goes a long way in improving your chances of getting hired. Below is a step-by-step guide to follow.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average cloud architect earns $153,318 per year, and most cloud architects make annual salaries of between $112,000 and $199,000. Your salary is likely to increase as you gain more skills and experience.

Currently, there are no specific job outlook statistics for cloud architects. However, they can be classified together with computer network architects. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for computer network architects is expected to increase by five percent between 2019 and 2029.

At the very least, you need to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field and possess competitive tech skills. Competition is fierce, so meeting a company’s requirements and expectations helps your application tremendously.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average entry-level cloud architect makes $82,224 per year. Most of the highest-paying companies are located in New York or California. The common job titles related to cloud architect are cloud data architect, cloud security architect, and Azure cloud architect.

Your interview for a cloud architect job is likely to revolve around technical aspects. You need to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable and capable of handling the job. Below are some of the questions you might be asked.

• What operating systems have you had the chance to work with?
• How would you set up a security or protection measure against an injection attack?
• What is your strategy for migrating applications and data to the cloud?
• Cite a specific project that you have worked on. How would you assess your performance?

Getting certified is one way to establish your credibility as a cloud architect and there are several professional certifications you can obtain from tech companies. The main three tech companies offering professional cloud architect certifications are Google, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure.

You get the certification by passing an exam. You have the option to take the exam right away or participate in training first. Below are three of the most popular options.

A professional cloud architect certification is offered by Google. A Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect has full knowledge of the Google Cloud Platform. The certification exam takes about two hours to finish and is composed of multiple choice questions.

The Google Cloud certification exam will assess your ability to design, create, and manage cloud infrastructure. It also covers other related skills that you need, such as security, analyzing issues and providing solutions, and ensuring reliable performance.

This examination by Amazon Web Services is intended for those who already have one or more years of experience as a cloud architect. The exam takes about 130 minutes to complete and is composed of 65 questions, a mix of multiple choice and multiple response.

This certification validates the test taker’s ability to create a secure application for AWS cloud technologies. It also demonstrates your knowledge of best practices for organizing and following through with a cloud project.

There are two exams that you are required to pass if you want to earn the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification. Obtaining this certification means that you are an expert in designing and creating solutions for cloud computing using Microsoft Azure.

The first exam, Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies, is all about various technical tasks related to Azure, such as managing the cloud structure, providing security solutions, and more. The other exam, Microsoft Azure Architect Design, deals with designing security, data storage, infrastructure, and business continuity.

Following the typical path, it would take about four to five years to become a cloud architect. Some professional certifications require you to have at least one year of experience before taking the exam. Right after graduation, you can proceed to look for an internship or an entry-level job.

Your journey to becoming a cloud architect involves acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to work with cloud computing. Aside from completing a degree or getting certified, you can continue learning through bootcamps or short courses.

Many organizations are moving towards cloud computing. As long as companies are making the switch, cloud architects will remain in high demand.

The job outlook for network architects, and by extension cloud architects, is positive. If you like designing and managing cloud technology and overseeing databases, then you should consider becoming a cloud architect. The impressive salaries are the icing on the cake.