For many ambitious tech professionals, specializing in Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the obvious next step as you look to progress your own career. But what transferrable skills will guarantee you a successful career in the cloud?
The cloud computing giant has a whopping 33% share of the cloud services market, with a level of growth that is seemingly unstoppable.
In 2021 AWS saw its revenue increase by almost 40% year-on-year, with a significant rise throughout the 12-month period. In terms of how that looks, AWS’ Q4 earnings in 2020 were $12.7bn, whereas Q3 in 2021 was up to a whopping $16.1bn.
If that doesn’t excite you, then all you really need to know is this—with that increased consumer demand comes a massive need for the cloud talent that can maintain and innovate within an implementation. And this is where you come in!
With the digital skills gap already in danger of turning into a crisis, the good news for any tech professional looking to build a career as an AWS specialist is that you’re going to be in huge demand.
Organizations of all sizes are desperately looking for skilled cloud specialists to help power their own digital projects, as they move away from traditional on-premises solutions into faster, more agile, and secure alternatives, such as AWS. If you’re not sure what skills you might need to transform your existing tech background into becoming an AWS platform expert, don’t worry.
Here are five skills you’re likely to already have that will give you a real head start.
AWS Transferrable Skills
#1: Coding
While some cloud services are moving towards low-code apps, AWS still relies on you having a working knowledge of either Java or Python, although any experience of C#, Go, Node.js, or another high-level programming language would also be helpful. You don’t have to know all of them intimately, but it helps to have at least some exposure and understanding of one coding language. If you have that base knowledge when it comes to coding, then you’re going to be at an immediate advantage when it comes to transitioning to an AWS specialist role. If you’re looking at becoming an AWS DevOps specialist or AWS Software Engineer, then you should develop an in-depth knowledge of at least one high-level programming language. Find out more about other roles within the AWS ecosystem, and what skills you may need, on our AWS careers page.
#2: Knowledge of the application lifecycle
As AWS is often used to build and host a range of applications, having a good understanding of the application lifecycle, and how to manage that, is an invaluable skill to have in your tool kit.
From coding a prototype to creating an improvement plan, and then implementing changes that will benefit the customer experience, it’s an ongoing process. Having some experience of this in any other environment is usually going to be relatable to what you’ll be doing with AWS in almost any organization.
In some roles within AWS, you will also be expected to use configuration management systems, review function runtime, and prototype new features before using a deployment strategy to roll out new features.
#3: Server management experience
Although AWS allows businesses to harness the power of the cloud when it comes to their own digital infrastructure, that doesn’t just happen automatically.
While the potential is there for a faster, more secure, and cost-effective solution, you will play a vital role in making that dream become a reality.
If you have experience of managing servers elsewhere, whether that’s on-premises or cloud-based, and you have the natural instinct for the constant monitoring and improvement that comes with that, then there’s a good chance you’ve got what it takes to apply that in an AWS environment.
#4: Problem-solving
Let’s not shy away from some of the soft skills that are highly transferable into your new career with AWS cloud technology.
No matter what your background in tech, the likelihood is that it would have involved some degree of troubleshooting. Whether that’s through support on a service desk or building stuff for a college or university project, you’ll likely have spent time encountering problems and figuring out how to fix them.
While your new role within an AWS team may look a little different to that, a lot of your time will still be spent trying to work out solutions, even if it’s for issues that haven’t actually happened yet.
If you have that innate ability to identify problems and figure out how to get past them, then you already have a highly valuable skill that will make you a great cloud professional.
#5: Communication skills
No matter how great your existing tech expertise is, the reality is that you’ll still need to communicate what you’re doing with other people, whether that’s within your own team or stakeholders within the business who aren’t as technically-minded as you.
You may be required to do this in person, during virtual meetings, through a presentation, or simply in writing. No matter the format, being able to explain what’s happening and why, to people who aren’t necessarily as tech-savvy as you, is a key skill that can be difficult to master.
It takes more than just being able to recite a load of jargon to communicate effectively. That’s why some of the best and most sought-after cloud professionals are the ones who can explain a problem clearly to someone who doesn’t have a technical background. If you have this skill, you’re already at an advantage.
If not, don’t worry—most of our AWS career cross-training pathways come not only with AWS certifications but extensive consultancy training, too, designed to equip you will crucial communication skills, so you have the skills to explain and apply your solutions with confidence.
So what's next?
Okay, so it might not be everything, but any combination of these skills is going to put you in pole position as you look to begin your career with AWS.
While you may still need to learn the technology itself, the great news is that Revolent can take over from here and transform you into a qualified cloud specialist!
Our fully-funded AWS career programs will take you through an intensive training program that will equip you with all the platform-specific expertise you need to get started on your lucrative new career choice, before placing you with one of our world-leading clients to get that all-important hands-on experience.
Not only can we help you become a certified AWS specialist in as little as 12 weeks (we’ll pay for those certifications too), you’ll also be earning a salary from the moment you join us! So, if you’re interested in seeing how Revolent can supercharge your career and transform you into a highly sought-after cloud expert, why not contact us today?
