How to start a career as AWS Cloud Practitioner?

AWS Cloud Practitioner exam is a foundational-level certification exam offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) for individuals who want to validate their overall understanding of the AWS Cloud. This exam tests the individual’s knowledge of AWS Cloud infrastructure, AWS services, billing, and support to help them gain a better understanding of the AWS Cloud platform.

The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam is intended for individuals who are new to AWS and cloud computing, including IT managers, sales and marketing professionals, and business analysts. It is also suitable for individuals who work in technical roles but are not familiar with AWS.

Basic Cloud Computing Concepts

Cloud computing is a technology that allows users to access computing resources over the internet without the need for physical hardware. It is a method of delivering on-demand computing resources, including servers, storage, databases, applications, and other services, over the internet.

Here are some basic cloud computing concepts:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS is a cloud computing model in which computing resources, such as servers, storage, and networking, are provided as a service. Users can rent and use these resources on-demand and pay only for what they use.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS is a cloud computing model in which a platform for developing, running, and managing applications is provided as a service. This model allows developers to focus on writing code without having to worry about managing the underlying infrastructure.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS is a cloud computing model in which software applications are provided as a service over the internet. Users can access these applications through a web browser or a mobile app, and the provider manages the underlying infrastructure, including servers and databases.
4. Public cloud: A public cloud is a cloud computing model in which computing resources are shared among multiple users over the internet. This model is offered by third-party providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
5. Private cloud: A private cloud is a cloud computing model in which computing resources are dedicated to a single organization. The organization can host the cloud infrastructure on its premises or use a third-party provider.
6. Hybrid cloud: A hybrid cloud is a cloud computing model that combines public and private cloud models. This model allows organizations to leverage the benefits of both public and private clouds, such as scalability, flexibility, and security.

AWS Services Overview

AWS provides a wide range of cloud-based services and solutions for businesses and individuals to build and run applications, store and process data, and manage infrastructure on the cloud. Some of the popular AWS services are:

1. Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2): It provides scalable computing capacity in the cloud and allows users to launch virtual servers (instances) as per their requirements.
2. Learn Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3): It provides object storage for a wide range of data types, including videos, images, and backups.
3. Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS): It offers a managed database service that enables users to set up, operate, and scale a relational database in the cloud.
4. Learn Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS): It provides persistent block-level storage volumes for use with Amazon EC2 instances.
5. Amazon CloudFront: It is a content delivery network (CDN) service that securely delivers data, videos, applications, and APIs to customers globally.
6. Understand Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC): It enables users to launch AWS resources into a virtual network and gives them complete control over the virtual networking environment.
7. Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS): It is a fully managed message queuing service that enables decoupling and scaling of microservices, distributed systems, and serverless applications.
8. Understand Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS): It provides a fully managed Kubernetes service that makes it easy to run and scale containerized applications.
9. Amazon Lambda: It is a serverless compute service that lets users run code without provisioning or managing servers.
10. Amazon Route 53: It is a scalable and highly available domain name system (DNS) web service that routes end-users to applications.

These are just a few of the many services provided by AWS, and each service has multiple features and capabilities that make it a powerful tool for building and managing applications on the cloud.

Prerequisites for AWS Cloud Practitioner

There are no specific prerequisites for taking the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam. However, having a basic understanding of cloud computing concepts, as well as some knowledge of AWS services, can be helpful in preparing for the exam. It is recommended that candidates have at least six months of experience with AWS and a basic understanding of IT services and their uses in the AWS Cloud. Additionally, familiarity with general IT terminology and concepts is beneficial.

AWS Training and Certification

AWS offers a variety of training and certification programs to help individuals and organizations build and validate their cloud skills. Some of the training and certification options offered by AWS include:

1. AWS Training: AWS provides both online and classroom training courses to help individuals learn about various AWS services, architecture, and operations. These courses cover topics such as AWS technical essentials, architecting on AWS, developing on AWS, and many more.
2. AWS Certification: AWS certification validates an individual’s skills and expertise in using AWS services. AWS offers different levels of certification, such as Foundational, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. Some of the popular AWS certifications are AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Developer, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, and AWS Certified DevOps Engineer.
3. AWS Certification Practice Exams: AWS provides official practice exams that simulate the actual certification exam experience. These practice exams help individuals assess their readiness for the exam and identify areas for improvement.
4. AWS Certification Exam Readiness Workshops: AWS provides certification exam readiness workshops that cover the exam structure, question formats, and strategies for answering different types of questions.
5. Learn AWS Certification Exam Vouchers: AWS provides exam vouchers that individuals can use to schedule and take their certification exam at a testing center or online.
6. AWS Certification Benefits: AWS certified individuals gain access to a variety of benefits, such as access to the AWS Certified community, recognition on the AWS Certification website, and opportunities to participate in beta exams and provide feedback on exam content.

Career Opportunities for AWS Cloud Practitioners

There are many career opportunities for AWS Cloud Practitioners, including:

1. Cloud Architect: Cloud architects design and implement cloud solutions for organizations. They are responsible for creating cloud infrastructure that meets the organization’s needs while ensuring that it is secure, scalable, and cost-effective.
2. Cloud Engineer: Cloud engineers build and maintain cloud infrastructure. They ensure that the cloud infrastructure is operating correctly and that it is secure, reliable, and scalable.
3. Cloud Consultant: Cloud consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to migrate their applications to the cloud. They help organizations identify the best cloud solutions for their needs and ensure that the migration process is smooth.
4. DevOps Engineer: DevOps engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining the software development process. They ensure that the software development process is streamlined, automated, and scalable.
5. Solutions Architect: Solutions architects design and implement solutions for organizations. They are responsible for understanding the organization’s needs and creating solutions that meet those needs while ensuring that they are scalable, secure, and cost-effective.
6. Cloud Sales Representative: Cloud sales representatives sell cloud services to organizations. They are responsible for understanding the organization’s needs and providing them with solutions that meet those needs.
7. Cloud Operations Manager: Cloud operations managers are responsible for managing cloud infrastructure. They ensure that the infrastructure is running smoothly and that it is secure, reliable, and scalable.
8. Cloud Support Engineer: Cloud support engineers provide support to organizations using cloud services. They ensure that the cloud services are running smoothly and that any issues are resolved quickly.

AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Glossary

Here are some key terms and concepts that may appear in the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam glossary:

1. Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) – A web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud.
2. Learn Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) – A storage service that offers industry-leading scalability, data availability, security, and performance.
3. Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) – A web service that makes it easier to set up, operate, and scale a relational database in the cloud.
4. AWS Lambda – A compute service that lets you run code without provisioning or managing servers.
5. Elastic Load Balancing – A service that automatically distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets, such as EC2 instances, containers, and IP addresses.
6. Auto Scaling – A service that automatically adjusts the capacity of your resources to maintain steady, predictable performance at the lowest possible cost.
7. Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) – A service that lets you provision a logically isolated section of the AWS Cloud where you can launch resources in a virtual network.
8. Identity and Access Management (IAM) – A service that enables you to manage access to AWS services and resources securely.

These are just a few of the many terms and concepts that are covered in the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam. It is important to have a strong understanding of the AWS service offerings and their features, as well as basic cloud computing concepts and best practices.

AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide

Here are some official resources for the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam:

1. AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide: https://d1.awsstatic.com/training-and-certification/docs-cloud-practitioner/AWS-Certified-Cloud-Practitioner_Exam-Guide.pdf
2. AWS Cloud Practitioner Training and Certification: https://aws.amazon.com/training/course-descriptions/cloud-practitioner-essentials/
3. Learn AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Readiness Video Course: https://www.aws.training/Details/eLearning?id=34737
4. AWS Whitepapers: https://aws.amazon.com/whitepapers/
5. Learn AWS FAQs: https://aws.amazon.com/faqs/
6. AWS Documentation: https://aws.amazon.com/documentation/
7. AWS Free Tier: https://aws.amazon.com/free/

These resources provide information about the exam format, topics covered, and study materials to help candidates prepare for the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Market Value

Earning the title of AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner comes with a significant salary and benefits package. It not only prepares you for profitable employment in cloud-adopting companies but also opens the road for you to rise to more difficult technical roles with higher income.

The AWS Cloud Practitioner salary is one of the top ten best-paid IT credentials in the United States, according to the report, with the average base AWS cloud architect salary being $1,48,623. And, AWS cloud practitioner salaries in India range from ₹1,297K to ₹1,416K.

Preparing for the role of Cloud Practitioner

It is essential to create a study strategy and cover all of the necessary study resources before taking any exam. So, below, we’ll discover and grasp the numerous ways that will help you prepare for and pass the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam.

1. Focusing on the important area of the exam

Above we have understood the basic exam pattern and details that are necessary to proceed with the exam preparation. Now, moving on to the most significant section of this blog, the exam topics. Because, aside from practice exams, the exam guide is the only area in which we must invest the majority of our study time. This guide includes an outline of the test course as well as a list of all exam subjects and sub-topics. As a result, it is critical to maintain a high degree of focus in order to comprehend exam topics. This include:

1. Cloud Concepts

This contains various sections, such as:

• Specifying the AWS Cloud and its value proposition
• Identifying aspects of AWS Cloud economics
• Explaining the different cloud architecture design principles

2. Security and Compliance

This contains various sections, such as:

• Defining the AWS shared responsibility model
• Defining AWS Cloud security and compliance concepts
• Identifying AWS access management capabilities
• Identifying resources for security support

3. Technology

This contains various sections, such as:

• Specifying the techniques for deploying and operating in the AWS Cloud
• Defining the AWS global infrastructure
• Identifying the core AWS services
• Identifying resources for technology support

Use the Cloud Practitioner tutorial to get a complete course outline!

4. Billing and Pricing

This contains various sections, such as:

• Comparing and contrasting the various pricing models for AWS (for example, On-Demand Instances,
• Recognizing the different account models in terms of AWS billing and pricing
• Identifying resources available for billing support

2. Making using of AWS Recommended Training

AWS offers suggested courses to help you improve and expand your technical abilities. With the help of an expert, you will be able to cover the different sections of the Cloud Practitioner exam.

1. Classroom Course: AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials

This course will help you in learning about Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud. For building your AWS Cloud expertise, you’ll learn about AWS Cloud ideas, AWS services, security, architecture, pricing, and support. In addition, you will learn how to describe the AWS Cloud’s fundamental global architecture, essential AWS services such as compute, network, databases, and storage, as well as the AWS Well-Architected Framework.

2. Digital Course: AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials

This digital course will help in learning and understanding the process of:

• Firstly, summarizing the working definition of AWS
• Secondly, differentiating between on-premises, hybrid-cloud, and all-in cloud models
• Thirdly, explaining the basic global infrastructure of the AWS Cloud
• Describing the six main benefits of the AWS Cloud
• Then, explaining examples of the core AWS services, including compute, network, database, and storage services
• After that, identifying suitable solutions using AWS Cloud services for various use cases
• Lastly, explaining:
  • AWS Well-Architected Framework
  • AWS Shared Responsibility Model
  • Core security services within the AWS Cloud

3. AWS Training and Certification Events

AWS Training and Certification hosts online and in-person events for helping in utilizing the potential of the AWS Cloud. That is to say, join AWS professionals for an event that suits your goals, whether you’re establishing core cloud knowledge or going deep into a technical area. However, for the cloud practitioner exam, the exam Readiness event offers:

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner:

In this, you will be guided through the exam’s structure, including question formats, topic domains, and the breakdown of questions within those domains, in this exam preparation webinar. Further, you will also obtain a broad overview of AWS Cloud. This webinar will cover cloud principles, AWS services, security, architecture, pricing, and support in great depth.

3. Using Practice Tests

This is another crucial section of the study guide that will not only help you recognize your weak areas but also help you develop a strong revision level. To put it another way, by using the practice exams, you will be able to enhance your response abilities and save a lot of time. However, there are a variety of free sample exams available to help you get started with AWS Cloud Practitioner practice tests. As part of your review, you can take mock exams once you’ve gone over a section or a few subjects.

But, what next? That is to say, above we have understood the AWS Cloud Practitioner ways and methods to pass the exam. But, what are the things to do after passing the exam? Here, comes the gaining experience and finding job part. So, let’s understand about this!

Steps to start career as a Cloud Practitioner

One of the companies that started the cloud computing revolution was Amazon Web Services. Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure were quick to follow suit. As a result, AWS is one of the market’s oldest and most successful cloud computing enterprises, which must win the company’s respect. So, beginning your career with the AWS certification will provide you with benefits. However, to get clarity, below, we will be talking about some steps to follow to have a good career start as an AWS cloud practitioner.

1. Gain hands-on experience

This step is very important to get a good job in the market. That is to say, if you have the required experience as well as an AWS certification then, no organization can say no to you! this is a fact. And, the best way to do so is to start building a project. Use the skills and knowledge that you enhanced while passing the cloud practitioner exam and start working on creating your own project. Moreover, this can work as a task to test your skills as well as this will work as an advantage during the interview to showcase your skills to the employer.

2. Cracking the job interview

After passing the AWS exam and gaining hands-on experience, the next step is to get a top job in the market. And, you must know that becoming AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the best method to start your career in the cloud field. This industry-recognized certification verifies your comprehensive knowledge of the AWS Cloud. As per a survey, AWS Certified experts may earn incomes that are up to 29% more than the average for certified employees and 10% higher than other cloud certifications. The cloud practitioner exam, on the other hand, necessitates a thorough comprehension and expertise of the AWS cloud. So, to prepare for this you can start using the top interview questions for the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam.

And, when it comes to jobs, how can we forget about mentioning the top companies hiring for AWS cloud practitioners. This includes:

• Accenture
• nVent
• Deloitte
• Ekfrazo Technology
• Vectrus

3. Start looking for Advancement

Assume that you got a good job using the skills you gained while passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam. But, what next? The answer is more advanced certification. Once you started working as a cloud practitioner and learn more about your knowledge areas, you can look towards moving to the next level. That is to say, AWS certifications are divided into various levels as you have passed the first and the basic level, you can start preparing for associate or professional level exams. This will not help you in excelling your skills but it will also help you grow in the job market. Yes, this is right! Moving to the advanced level certification will automatically increase the salary.

However, to help in this, below are some of the AWS certifications that you can start working on according to your skills. This include:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• Then, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

Check here for more.

Final Words

Above, we discussed an overview of the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam, as well as its market value and a useful study guide. This exam will put your knowledge, expertise, and ability to collaborate to the test. As a result, you must pay close attention to all of the critical regions. And, to improve your preparation, use the following information to design a study period and routine, as well as a deadline by which you must complete the syllabus. After that, devote some time to revision by taking practice examinations. Take the exam, pass it, prepare for the interview and become a successful AWS Cloud Practitioner.