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Ask HN: Advice on Becoming a Cloud Architect

11 points by fredski42 4y ago

I consider certifying to become a cloud architect to be able to work remote full time. I live in Europe and wonder if I should choose for AWS or Azure. Which certification is easiest/cheapest/best for remote work?

dassiorleando 4y ago
I don't know wha your background is, but I would recommend to practice a lot and keep doing it. If you were a software developer before (not required), then you are used of the do it mentality, the same applies for Cloud stuff. By practicing a lot, you'll become more and more confident to do it and then you'll be happy that company will hire you because of your skills (better) than only because of any certification. I have seen a few certified people being hired and fired afterward, let's do more effort for that certification (if you plan to get it) to only confirm your skills rather than defining it. I myself practicing a lot, feel free to find out what I'm doing daily at: https://blog.numericaideas.com https://blog.numericaideas.com While hoping this answer will help you somehow. Let me know in you want more precision. Cheers!
wiseleo 4y ago
Go with AWS, but there are significant incentives for becoming Azure certified. Microsoft partner organizations, which are usually larger consulting firms and OEMs, are required to maintain a headcount of certified professionals and there are a lot of them.
- fredski42 4y ago
  Thanks! I forgot to mention I am currently a Solution Architect for a company in Open Source Infrastructure products, both on-prem and in the cloud. I currently live in the Netherlands, which is mostly Azureland, but pursue a remote job and move to another country so my choice is not really country related. The mention of the mandatory headcount is a valuable one, did not know that. I read somewhere worldwide marketshare is ~50% AWS and ~30% Azure.
  - Aduket 4y ago
    It is funny while we, the citizens of non-1st world countries, strive for moving to Netherlands, and yet you prefer to move to another country :) I can't help wondering which country you are wishing for living in.
rmk 4y ago
AWS is unparalleled in the cloud world. Azure is a distant second. That is the market share. If you are interested in a particular industry, then you may want to check the cloud choices major employers in your industry have made.

11 points by fredski42 4y ago

dassiorleando 4y ago

I don't know wha your background is, but I would recommend to practice a lot and keep doing it. If you were a software developer before (not required), then you are used of the do it mentality, the same applies for Cloud stuff. By practicing a lot, you'll become more and more confident to do it and then you'll be happy that company will hire you because of your skills (better) than only because of any certification. I have seen a few certified people being hired and fired afterward, let's do more effort for that certification (if you plan to get it) to only confirm your skills rather than defining it. I myself practicing a lot, feel free to find out what I'm doing daily at: https://blog.numericaideas.com https://blog.numericaideas.com While hoping this answer will help you somehow. Let me know in you want more precision. Cheers!

wiseleo 4y ago

Go with AWS, but there are significant incentives for becoming Azure certified. Microsoft partner organizations, which are usually larger consulting firms and OEMs, are required to maintain a headcount of certified professionals and there are a lot of them.

fredski42 4y ago
Thanks! I forgot to mention I am currently a Solution Architect for a company in Open Source Infrastructure products, both on-prem and in the cloud. I currently live in the Netherlands, which is mostly Azureland, but pursue a remote job and move to another country so my choice is not really country related. The mention of the mandatory headcount is a valuable one, did not know that. I read somewhere worldwide marketshare is ~50% AWS and ~30% Azure.
- Aduket 4y ago
  It is funny while we, the citizens of non-1st world countries, strive for moving to Netherlands, and yet you prefer to move to another country :) I can't help wondering which country you are wishing for living in.

rmk 4y ago

AWS is unparalleled in the cloud world. Azure is a distant second. That is the market share. If you are interested in a particular industry, then you may want to check the cloud choices major employers in your industry have made.