So you've decided to transition into a career in cloud computing. It is a smart move, the industry is booming, and the tech is fascinating. However, as a blogger, I am going to mention some mistakes most people are making nowadays.
If you want to stop spinning your wheels and actually land that first role, here is the roadmap of what not to do.
- Choosing the Wrong Role
Many beginners pick a role purely based on salary or "hype." But if you hate being customer-facing, that specific role might be a nightmare for you.
The Fix: Don't just follow the money. Research the day-to-day tasks.
Pro Tip: AWS has a career quiz to help you align your personal strengths with specific cloud roles.
- Flying Without a Strateg
"Learning cloud" is too vague. Without a structured timeline, you'll likely get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of services (AWS alone has over 200)
A Sample 4-Month Roadmap:
Month 1: IT & Networking Fundamentals
Month 2: Earn a foundational Cloud Certificate (e.g., Cloud Practitioner).
Month 3: Build real-world projects.
Month 4: Interview prep and active job hunting.
- Ignoring Hands-On Experience
Certifications are great for your resume, but they don't prove you can build. Theoretical knowledge won't save you in a technical interview.
The Fix: Stop just watching videos. Start building.
Project Idea: Try building a serverless e-commerce platform using AWS Lambda or Azure Functions. This proves you understand architecture, not just definitions.
- Understanding Soft Skills
This might surprise you: 85% of job success comes from soft skills, while only 15% come from technical skills. If you can't communicate your technical choices to a team or a client, you'll struggle to get hired.
How to improve: Put yourself in an "uncomfortable" situation, lead a study group, give a presentation, or start a technical blog to practice explaining complex ideas simply.
- Going It Alone
The "lone wolf" approach is the slowest way to a new career. Networking isn't just about "using" people; it is about gaining industry insights you can't find a google.
The goal: Aim to make one new connection per week on LinkedIn.
Digital Presence: Keep your LinkedIn profile updated and consider a personal portfolio website to document your journey.
Landing a job in the cloud is a marathon, not a sprint. By choosing the right role, following a plan, building hands-on projects, and sharpening your soft skills, and networking, you'll be miles ahead of the competition.
Which of these mistakes have you been making? Let me know in the comments!