Have you been considering a career in Cloud Computing but don’t know where to start? A friend of mine recently asked how he could get started in Cloud Computing, and I did some research to come up with this roadmap. After creating a roadmap, I realised that many others might benefit from it as well. That's why I'm sharing it here as an article.

If you're also looking to become a cloud computing expert, this guide is for you. It's designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become job-ready in cloud computing.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is like having a big computer that you can use from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. You can save your pictures, videos, and documents on this big computer and access them from your phone, tablet, or computer. It's like having a magic box that holds all your important stuff!

Here are links to more detailed definitions of cloud computing for those who want to learn more:

• What is Cloud Computing?
• A beginner's guide to Cloud Computing

This roadmap includes the foundational concepts, programming languages, tools, and specific skills you need to learn to become a job-ready Cloud Computing expert. By following this roadmap, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the dynamic field of Cloud Computing.

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Before diving into cloud computing, it’s important to have a strong foundation in computer science fundamentals.
Here are some resources to help you get started:

• CS50: Introduction to Computer Science (course)
• Computer Science Basics (article)
• Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python (course)

Step 2: Learn Cloud Computing

Once you have a good understanding of computer science fundamentals, you can move on to learning about cloud computing.
These are some resources:

• Introduction to Cloud Computing (course)
• AWS Fundamentals: Going Cloud-Native (course)
• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (exam preparation guide)

Step 3: Develop Skills in Cloud Computing

To become job-ready in Cloud Computing, it’s important to develop specific skills in areas such as Cloud Security, DevOps, and Big Data.
Here are some resources that can help you develop these skills:

Cloud Security

• Introduction to Cloud Security (course)
• AWS Security Fundamentals (course)
• Microsoft Azure Security Technologies (exam preparation guide)

DevOps

• Introduction to DevOps: Transforming and Improving Operations (course)
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional (certification guide)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (certification guide)

Big Data

• Introduction to Big Data (course)
• AWS Big Data - Specialty Certification (certification guide)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (certification guide)

Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice

Learning about cloud computing is just the first step. It's important to practice what you've learned and gain practical experience.
Here are some resources to help you practice:

• AWS Free Tier: AWS offers a free tier that provides access to many of its cloud services for up to 12 months. You can use this to practice setting up and managing cloud resources.

• Azure Free Account: Microsoft Azure also offers a free account that provides access to many of its cloud services for up to 12 months. You can use this to practice setting up and managing cloud resources on the Azure platform.

• Google Cloud Free Tier: Google Cloud Platform offers a free tier that provides access to many of its cloud services for up to 12 months. You can use this to practice setting up and managing cloud resources on the Google Cloud Platform.

• OpenStack: OpenStack is a free and open-source cloud computing platform that allows you to create and manage private and public clouds. You can use this to practice setting up and managing cloud resources in a self-hosted environment.

Step 6: Join Cloud Computing Communities

It’s important to network, and one way to do that is by joining communities related to your field. These communities can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in Cloud Computing. You can check Twitter, LinkedIn and other platforms.
Here are some popular communities to join:

• Cloud Computing subreddit: This subreddit is dedicated to cloud computing and has a wealth of information on the topic.
• Cloud Security Alliance: The Cloud Security Alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes best practices for secure cloud computing.
• AWS Community: The AWS Community is a forum for developers and IT professionals who use AWS cloud services.
• Microsoft Tech Community: The Microsoft Tech Community is a forum for developers and IT professionals who use Microsoft cloud services.

And some Twitter handles to follow:

• @awscloud on Twitter for the latest news and updates from Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• @Azure on Twitter for the latest news and updates from Microsoft Azure
• @Kubernetesio on Twitter for the latest news and updates on Kubernetes
• @Docker on Twitter for the latest news and updates on Docker

Conclusion:

Becoming a Cloud Computing expert takes time and dedication, but it's a rewarding career path that offers a lot of opportunities for growth and advancement. By following this roadmap and putting in the effort to learn these foundational concepts, programming languages and tools, cloud computing platforms, and specific skills, you'll be well on your way to becoming a job-ready Cloud Computing expert.
Remember to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in Cloud Computing by joining online communities, attending industry conferences, and participating in hackathons.
If you have any questions or need further guidance, don't hesitate to reach out to experts in the field or online communities. Good luck on your journey to becoming a Cloud Computing expert!👨‍💻

Also, if you have any suggestions or feedback to improve this roadmap, feel free to let me know. Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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