Cloud Computing Skills You Need to Kick-start Your Career

Cloud computing can be summarized as the storage of and access to data and programs that make use of the internet. Traditionally, your computer’s hard drive would be used for these purposes. Cloud computing technology has allowed for flexibility across a large number of businesses.

A career in the cloud computing sector is in high demand these days. At the end of 2014, there were almost 4 million jobs in the United States of America, with an estimated total of 18 million jobs around the world. Cloud computing technology professionals are also earning steep salaries, with reported median salaries of more than $90,000¹ in late 2014.

However, it is necessary to possess a few skills to work with cloud computing technology. Let’s take a look at some of them in detail.

Familiarity with Linux

As far as cloud computing technology goes, Linux is the primary operating system used for most cloud computing operations. It is vital to learn as much as possible about the operating system, as mastering it would lead to greater chances of doing well as a professional. Of course, you do not have to abandon your preferred operating system. You could simply choose to dual-boot in the initial stages.

Programming Skills

No cloud computing technology professional can work without knowing at least one language commonly used in the development of cloud-based programs. These languages include Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, Ruby on Rails, and Ruby. Most jobs require professionals to be adept at only one or two languages. However, it is recommended to learn programming in as many languages as possible, as it can enhance your chances of being employed for a positions across a large number of companies.

Database Skills

The large information databases associated with cloud computing require professionals to be thorough with certain database languages such as SQL and MySQL. While these languages are the most common for managing databases, a lot of aspiring professionals are also acquainting themselves with Cassandra, Hadoop, MongoDB and other open-source systems. While learning database skills can be very tedious, innovative applications and games have been developed to make learning a fun process.

Automation

The information overload that modern day companies have to encounter becomes all the more difficult to handle if testing procedures are conducted manually. Most projects these days run on tight deadlines, and manual procedures make it difficult to deliver projects timely. In such scenarios, there rises a need for developers who are acquainted with automated solutions. Chef and Puppet are two well-known open-source automation solutions and enable companies to save a lot of time.

Security Skills

Recent years have witnessed plenty of high-profile security breaches in the cloud computing sector. An estimated median loss of $3.35 million² is incurred with each data breach. As a result, companies are now looking out for professionals who are adept at providing effective security. Aspiring cloud computing technology security professionals are targeting credentials such as Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), which focus on developing skills such as incorporation of data security, along with ensuring infrastructure and platform security.

DevOps

The practice of DevOps, or development operations, is a critical element in cloud computing technology. DevOps refers to the collaboration between developers and operations staff throughout any product development cycle. Having thorough knowledge of DevOps is desired in most cloud computing professionals nowadays, and the internet is a great place to get the fundamental ideas behind DevOps.

Mobile Apps

With the ever-increasing use of portable devices such as laptops and Smartphones, more and more applications for these platforms are in requirement. Professionals who are experts are developing quality applications for mobile devices have a great chance of succeeding in the field of cloud computing.

Jobs in the cloud computing sector promise high salaries, but in order to be employed by the best in the business, you need to sharpen up on the aforementioned skills. There are a great variety of cloud computing technology training courses that are offered in both online and offline formats. These courses are directed at people aspiring to pursue successful careers in the cloud computing business.

Sources:

1. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/9-cloud-computing-skills-give-next-career-jump/

1. http://www.cloudcomputing-news.net/news/2016/feb/16/top-five-demand-cloud-skills-2016/