How to Get Into Cloud Computing: 7 Steps to Success
The cloud computing industry contains some of the most competitive and well-paid jobs in tech. Learn how to get into cloud computing and find your career fit.
![[Featured Image] A man and woman work side by side at a desktop computer.](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6VwN3y1f6vOaPwVUmykaIN/064e30ae31312f9c3d7931c51f0c89b3/GettyImages-1339030392.jpg?w=1500&h=680&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=1000)
Cloud computing is a competitive field within tech because it is often well-paid and interesting, rewarding work. If you’ve heard of this discipline and are interested in moving into it, the path is not linear—in fact, many paths can lead you there.
Learn more about what it takes to get into cloud computing, including cloud engineer pathways and potential careers.
professional certificate
Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud DevOps Engineer
Advance your career as an SRE & DevOps Engineer
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Cloud Infrastructure, System Monitoring, Application Performance Management, Kubernetes, Safety Culture, Culture Transformation, CI/CD, Cloud Management, Site Reliability Engineering, Application Deployment, Containerization, Cloud Storage, Identity and Access Management, Virtual Machines, Google Cloud Platform, Service Level Agreement, Cloud Security, Cloud Services, Event Monitoring, Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Application Development, Network Infrastructure, Scalability, NoSQL, Cloud Computing, Data Access, Continuous Monitoring, Performance Tuning, Query Languages, Automation, Service Level, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Goal Setting, System Implementation, Organizational Structure, Change Management, Performance Measurement, Incident Management, Command-Line Interface, Cloud-Native Computing, Continuous Delivery, DevOps, Cloud Computing Architecture, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Microservices, API Design, Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Restful API, Network Architecture
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is the ability to access applications, networks, analytics, data, and intelligence over the internet instead of through physical servers. This technology allows companies to scale and innovate more efficiently and flexibly.
Big names such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure deliver cloud services to millions of customers.
Careers in cloud computing
Careers in cloud computing to consider include the following:
Cloud computing engineer: A cloud engineer is an IT professional responsible for building and maintaining cloud infrastructure.
Average salary: $118,444 [1]
Education requirements: A bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field
Cloud architect: A cloud architect designs and implements the framework for cloud-computing solutions.
Average salary: $147,581 [2]
Education requirements: A bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field
How to get into cloud computing
Some steps you can take to embark on the cloud computing career path include the following:
1. Earn a cloud computing degree in computer science or IT.
A prerequisite for getting a job in cloud computing is having a bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science. Since cloud computing at its heart is about navigating network systems and applications, just on the cloud, these majors prepare you well.
However, don’t fret if you don’t currently have a tech-related degree. Certifications and work experience are just as valuable and important, especially if you don’t want to devote four years toward earning a degree or if you already have a bachelor’s.
2. Learn cloud computing skills.
To get a job as a cloud engineer, you’ll want to ensure you have a firm grasp on the following cloud computing skills:
Programming languages, such as Python, R, or JavaScript
Cloud service platform knowledge, such as AWS, GCP, and Microsoft Azure
Database management skills
Linux
Information security
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
DevOps
You can learn and develop these skills with online courses, many of which are available on Coursera.
professional certificate
Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst
Launch your career as a cybersecurity analyst. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from Microsoft. No prior experience required.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Data Management, Computer Security Incident Management, Vulnerability Scanning, Penetration Testing, Active Directory, Network Security, Business Software, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Authentications, Encryption, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), MITRE ATT&CK Framework, System Testing, Security Testing, Threat Management, Computer Systems, Cloud Security, Azure Active Directory, Threat Modeling, Computer Networking, Firewall, Microsoft Azure, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Network Protocols, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Network Monitoring, Network Infrastructure, Networking Hardware, Digital Transformation, Cloud Services, Disaster Recovery, Data Governance, Data Security, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Records Management, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cyber Security Policies, Security Management, Information Assurance, Information Privacy, Security Controls, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Virtual Machines, Identity and Access Management, Threat Detection, Endpoint Security, Malware Protection, Event Management, Multi-Factor Authentication, Generative AI, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), System Monitoring, Scenario Testing, Regulatory Compliance, Internet Of Things, Application Security, Cyber Security Strategy, Secure Coding, Asset Management, Vulnerability Assessments, Security Strategy, Operating Systems, Data Storage, Computer Hardware, Servers, Microsoft 365, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Architecture, Patch Management, Enterprise Security, Business Systems, Information Systems Security, Vulnerability Management, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Single Sign-On (SSO), Software As A Service, User Accounts, Authorization (Computing), Cyber Attacks, Cryptography
3. Get a certification.
Another step in the process of landing a cloud job is to earn certification. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is a common one for becoming an IT professional and often a good stepping stone for aspiring cloud professionals.
Once you have several years of IT and network experience under your belt, you might choose to specialize in one cloud service provider. You can find additional certifications for AWS, GCP, and Microsoft Azure, which demonstrate to potential employers that you can navigate core concepts, solutions, and tools, as well as governance, privacy, and compliance.
These courses from GCP and Microsoft Azure prepare you for the certification exams:
course
Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure
Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure introduces important concepts and terminology for working with Google Cloud. Through videos and hands-on ...
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 5 hour(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Prompt Engineering, Application Deployment, Application Development, Containerization, Cloud Infrastructure, Virtual Machines, Network Infrastructure, Generative AI, Cloud Storage, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform, Scalability, Cloud Services, NoSQL, Identity and Access Management, Cloud Computing
professional certificate
Microsoft Cloud Support Associate
Launch your career as a Cloud Support Associate. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career in information technology in as little as 6 months. No prior experience required to get started.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 4 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
System Monitoring, Hardware Troubleshooting, Disaster Recovery, Microsoft 365, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Security, Business Software, Technical Support, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Management, Computer Hardware, Identity and Access Management, Network Troubleshooting, Network Protocols, Virtual Machines, Desktop Support, Hardware Architecture, Azure Active Directory, Technical Communication, Operating Systems, Generative AI, Network Monitoring, Unix, Microsoft Windows, System Support, Debugging, Mac OS, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Automation, Endpoint Security, Data Security, Microsoft PowerPoint, Productivity Software, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Business Process Automation, Enterprise Application Management, Operational Efficiency, Calendar Management, Collaborative Software, Security Controls, Document Management, Cloud Security, Microsoft Copilot, Patch Management, Cloud Storage, Continuous Monitoring, Systems Administration, Cloud Infrastructure, Application Deployment, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Scalability, Load Balancing, Network Routing, Kubernetes, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Cloud Services, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Network Architecture, Firewall, Data Storage, Encryption, Software Installation, Application Security, Information Systems Security, Data Management, System Configuration, Network Administration, Multi-Factor Authentication, Technical Support and Services, Information Privacy, Servers, Authentications, Computer Systems, Computer Architecture, Data Loss Prevention, OS Process Management, Data Storage Technologies, Enterprise Security, Information Technology, OSI Models, Software As A Service, TCP/IP, Virtualization, Local Area Networks, General Networking, Network Infrastructure, Computer Networking, Networking Hardware, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Command-Line Interface, Windows PowerShell, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cloud Computing Architecture, Query Languages, Application Performance Management, Resource Management, Event Monitoring, Real Time Data, Interactive Data Visualization
4. Build your own projects and create a cloud portfolio.
Once you have a feel for what type of projects you’re interested in taking on in the cloud space, you can start building a portfolio. These projects can be those you worked on in an internship, ones you created on your own, or those you worked on with a client freelance.
If you’re already working in the IT field, take the initiative to get involved in cloud-based projects on your team or at your company to develop your skills in a real-life setting. Gather those work examples and put them in a portfolio. Include testimonials if you have them.
professional certificate
Google Cloud Data Analytics
Launch your career in Cloud Data Analytics. Build in-demand skills and gain credentials to go from beginner to job-ready in 10 weeks or less. No degree or prior experience required.
4.5
Beginner level
Average time: 2 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Cloud Infrastructure, Generative AI, Data Management, Database Management, Data Visualization, Data Pipelines, Data Architecture, Cloud Computing, Data Ethics, Data Governance, Data Cleansing, Data Visualization Software, Data Storytelling, Data Transformation, Data Presentation, Cloud Storage, Google Cloud Platform, Data Lakes, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Analytics, Large Language Modeling, Professional Development, Problem Solving, Artificial Intelligence, SQL, Data Processing, Cloud Security, Data Integration, Data Migration, Data Collection, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Structures, Cloud Technologies, Cloud Services, Big Data, Digital Transformation, Data Warehousing, Performance Tuning, Data Access, UI/UX Strategy, Data Modeling, Business Intelligence, Business Analytics, Version Control, Self Service Technologies, Query Languages, Star Schema, NoSQL, Metadata Management, Data Quality, Application Programming Interface (API)
5. Gain some work experience.
While it’d be nice if everybody who completed certification and built a portfolio landed an internship or entry-level job in cloud computing, these roles are competitive. Many cloud professionals start in an IT support or help desk role and then advance into network administration and network engineering for years before they switch to a cloud engineer role.
6. Network.
These days, it can be difficult to land a job by applying to them on LinkedIn, Indeed, or a company’s careers page. You might have a higher chance of standing out by connecting with hiring managers. You can do this after you’ve applied or reach out to cloud professionals you admire on LinkedIn for informational interviews.
Tips for networking
Search for cloud or tech-related events in your area on Meetup, LinkedIn, and other websites. Chatting with people in person can help you understand the hiring context better by learning from other people’s experiences and career paths. Be open to learning and new opportunities so that you can position yourself as a confident and competent candidate.
7. Apply for jobs.
Finally, you’re ready to apply for jobs. You can do this alongside networking since the two go hand in hand. Consider applying for or advancing into a cloud role within your organization. Get a referral from someone who works at a company you’d like to work for.
Make sure your resume includes your relevant job experiences with clear, specific bullet points detailing your impact (with numbers, such as percentage of success rate or number of systems supported). Write a cover letter that explains your passion and unique expertise. Work with recruiters who can make a compelling case for you to future employers.
If the employer chooses your application, things can move quickly. Brush up on your interview skills so you’re ready when the time comes.
Learn cloud computing skills today
To get started in cloud computing, you must have a strong programming background and competitive application. Start your career in cloud computing with this Introduction to Cloud Computing course from IBM. You’ll have the opportunity to gain the fundamentals, understand the cloud service models and platforms, and be ready to take the next step in your cloud path.
course
Introduction to Cloud Computing
Start your cloud computing journey with this self-paced introductory course! Whether you need general cloud computing knowledge for school or business, or ...
4.6
Beginner level
Average time: 12 hour(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Emerging Technologies, Cloud Hosting, Software As A Service, Cloud Solutions, Hybrid Cloud Computing, IBM Cloud, Cloud Storage, Cloud Computing, Cloud Development, Cloud-Native Computing, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Management, Cloud Platforms, Cloud Technologies, Cloud Services, DevOps, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Cloud Engineering, Cloud Security, Cloud Infrastructure
professional certificate
Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud DevOps Engineer
Advance your career as an SRE & DevOps Engineer
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Cloud Infrastructure, System Monitoring, Application Performance Management, Kubernetes, Safety Culture, Culture Transformation, CI/CD, Cloud Management, Site Reliability Engineering, Application Deployment, Containerization, Cloud Storage, Identity and Access Management, Virtual Machines, Google Cloud Platform, Service Level Agreement, Cloud Security, Cloud Services, Event Monitoring, Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Application Development, Network Infrastructure, Scalability, NoSQL, Cloud Computing, Data Access, Continuous Monitoring, Performance Tuning, Query Languages, Automation, Service Level, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Goal Setting, System Implementation, Organizational Structure, Change Management, Performance Measurement, Incident Management, Command-Line Interface, Cloud-Native Computing, Continuous Delivery, DevOps, Cloud Computing Architecture, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Microservices, API Design, Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Restful API, Network Architecture
Article sources
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Cloud Engineer Make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/cloud-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Coursera Staff
Editorial Team
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
Advance in your career with recognized credentials across levels.
Subscribe to earn unlimited certificates and build job-ready skills from top organizations.
