Next steps

Congratulations on successfully completing this course! Your interest in cloud computing is commendable, and you’ve taken a significant step toward a potential career in this field. To help you progress further, I’d like to provide actionable next steps:

Go learn more about the cloud and try to build something

The internet offers a wealth of tutorials, including resources provided by cloud vendors themselves, that allow you to study deeper cloud computing. Many cloud providers offer free-tier services, enabling you to experiment without incurring charges. Here are some valuable resources with free usage, labs, tutorials, and badges to explore:

• AWS Educate
• Google Cloud for Students
• Azure for students

Explore these useful resources and more you can find online to sharpen your understanding of the cloud. The best way to learn in-depth is to build something!

Caution: Remember that in the cloud, you pay for what you use, and it’s possible to incur charges beyond the free tier. Here are some guidelines:

1. Set up budget alerts in each cloud provider’s billing dashboard before using their services. These alerts can help you monitor and control your expenses.
2. Take the time to understand how each cloud service is billed. Each service has its pricing model, and understanding these details is crucial to prevent unexpected charges.

One of the best ways to learn is by creating projects that interest you. Here are some project ideas to get you started:

1. build a simple to-do web app
2. build a simple web application to store movies watched and a ranking for each
3. build a simple chat room web application, allowing two or more users to send text messages
4. build a simple web application to store your recipes.

Identify the particular role you are interested in

In this course, you were introduced to various roles within the cloud computing industry. Take the time to research and identify the specific role that aligns with your interests and career goals.

Develop skills

If you lack certain skills necessary for your chosen role, consider creating a learning plan. The internet offers a plethora of free and paid resources for acquiring new skills. For technical roles in cloud computing, programming skills are often a priority.

Consider taking formal studies in computer science or another relevant field

If you’re looking to establish a strong foundation, consider pursuing formal education in computer science or related fields. Look for universities and courses that offer modules in cloud computing. Although this is not necessary, and you can get a job without a degree, if you can, a degree in computer science will teach you many valuable skills and help you more easily land a job.

Consider getting professional certifications

Cloud providers offer certifications that validate your knowledge of their cloud services. These certifications vary in specialization and complexity. Before attempting a certification, ensure you have a deep understanding of the cloud and real-world experience. Be aware that these exams can be challenging and may require a significant investment in terms of time and cost.

Select certifications that match your level of expertise. Some certifications are designed for senior professionals, while others are suitable for beginners.

In the next step, we will provide a framework to put the above into action! Let’s give it a go.

Keep the learning journey alive!

Join more courses on the Click Start programme.  From coding to data and web development, and professional skills in areas like decision-making, problem solving and communication, make your CV stand out.

If you’ve loved your time learning with the University of Leeds, why not dive into more exciting online courses offered by us? There’s always something new to discover!