Optional: Reflect on your own professional development and identify next steps!

Congratulations on completing this course! You’ve gained valuable insights into the world of cloud computing, and now it’s time to take action. Knowledge becomes truly useful when put into practice. In this step, I will provide you with a framework to kick-start your career in cloud computing.

Is cloud computing for me? Do I find it exciting?

Begin by reflecting on your own interests and passions. Is cloud computing a field that genuinely excites you? The course has introduced you to the exciting opportunities and challenges in this industry. Consider whether you can envision yourself thriving in the world of cloud computing.

What would be the goal I would like to reach someday?

Now that you’ve determined your interest in cloud computing, set a long-term career goal for yourself. This goal can range from achieving a well-paid job as a cloud engineer to becoming a cloud solution architect, earning a substantial income. Dream big; this is your future goal, not something you need to achieve tomorrow.

What challenges or obstacles do I anticipate while pursuing this goal?

Recognise your weaknesses and limitations as an individual. Understanding your challenges is the first step toward overcoming them. Consider these potential obstacles as you plan your next steps.

What’s one thing I could work on right now?

I like the idea of ‘The One Thing’ which is outlined in the book of the same name by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. Now that you have identified your career goal, it might be beneficial for you to use this framework to find the next thing you should work on to make this ‘someday’ goal a reality! Here how it works.

• Someday: what’s the one thing I want to do someday? You identified this in the previous question when you set your goal.
• Five years: based on my someday goal, what’s the one thing I can do in the next 5 years?
• One year: based on my five-year goal, what’s the one thing I can do in the next year?
• Monthly goal: based on my one-year goal, what’s the one thing I can do in the next month?
• Weekly goal: based on my month goal, what’s the one thing I can do in the next week?
• Daily goal: based on my weekly goal, what’s the one thing I can do in the next day?
• Right now goal: based on my daily goal, what’s the one thing I can do right now?

By following this framework, you ensure that you are consistently making progress toward your long-term goal while maintaining focus and minimising distractions.

For example,

• Someday: getting a well-paid job in cloud computing as a cloud engineer.
• Five years: gain valuable experience with using cloud computing or graduate with a Computer Science (Industrial) degree from University of Leeds.
• One year:
  • One year you could build software leveraging cloud computing.
  • One year you could get an internship at [COMPANY NAME] as a cloud engineer intern.
  • One year you could learn how to build serverless web applications.
• Monthly:
  • One month you could build a to-do web application and make it publicly available.
  • Another month you could build an open-source library that solves X problem for people in cloud computing and make it publicly available.
• Weekly:
  • One week you could study a course on React for building web applications.
  • Another week you could get my head around NoSQL databases.
• Daily goal:
  • One day you could complete the first activity of the course.
  • Another day you could implement the code needed to create a new to-do item in my to-do app.
• Right now:
  • Right now you could find a good react course and enrol.
  • Or create a No-SQL database on [CLOUD VENDOR] and add an item in.

Apply this methodology to your own career goals and track your progress. Over time, assess whether this framework helps you stay on course and achieve your objectives.

Remember to refer to the tips provided in the previous step and explore the useful resources available to further your journey in cloud computing. Taking consistent and purposeful action will propel you toward your desired career in this field.

I hope this course has served as a valuable stepping stone towards your future career in cloud computing.

Best wishes,
Rafeal Papallas