AWS Certification in 2020: Is It Worth It?

Climbing on an incredible growth trajectory of 18% CAGR per year, the cloud computing industry is expected to be worth $623.3 billion by 2023. This is an astounding figure but totally understandable.

Cloud environments empower businesses with real time advantages. From releasing them from the costs of maintaining an in-house data center to allowing them to scale their virtual machines based in the cloud at will, modern businesses are leveraging this amazing platform to achieve a wide variety of trends.

But there is one roadblock that is impeding these organizations from realizing this aim, and that is the clear shortage of certified cloud professionals, especially those related to Amazon Web Services (AWS).

There has always been a huge debate among business circles on the importance of AWS certifications. A lot of people argue that since AWS is a service businesses pay for, on job training and experience are enough to learn how to best utilize the service for business goals.

However, there are two things that negate this argument. Firstly, Amazon Web Services comprise of an altogether 175 services as of 2019, with plans by the firm to add even more as demand grows for cloud related services. Secondly, AWS is the biggest cloud service in the market, holding almost three times as much market share as the industry’s other dominant cloud service, Microsoft Azure.

AWS Certifications allows cloud professionals to learn about all of the 175 services in an in-depth and streamlined manner. They are rigorous and evaluate all learning skills relevant to the platform before providing candidates with validation through their certificates.

With such a huge market share, professionals who get AWS certified stand a much better chance of proving to firms that they know how to work with the platform, thereby making them a prime candidate in one of the most sought-after skills in the corporate space.

The importance and relevance are understandable, but should you still go for it in 2020? To clear things off in a much more detailed manner, here are some important things that will allow you to make the decision in an informed way:

What Kind Of Certifications Are There & Why Is It Important To Pick The Right One?

AWS Certifications comprise of 11 different types of courses, differing on specialty and expertise level. Depending on your interest or career or business relevance, you can opt for just one course or a combination of them to suit your customized needs.

Here are the 11 different types of certifications currently offered under the AWS Certification series umbrella:

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
• AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
• AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty

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What Value Does An AWS Certification Bring To You As A Professional?

If you are a professional who is currently working with AWS-based cloud infrastructure, then enrolling in an AWS certification will allow you to develop a wide-ranging knowledge set regarding the services AWS offers. You will get to know how different aspects of the platform work, like security, scalability, costing, performance and others, to improve the advantages that can be accrued through the platform for the business you are currently working for.

On top of this, if you are new to this space and are just starting out, this certification will increase your chances of securing a high paying job, as you will then have an authentic validation of your skills related to the platform, which appeals to firms more than just prior job experience alone.

Are The Time Investments For Completing The Certifications Reasonable?

Absolutely yes! For beginners, the certification usually requires three months of learning that amounts to 120 hours. For experienced personnel, the time for completion is around 2 months taking up to 80 hours. This load is easily manageable with job commitments, and the certification timeline doesn’t put undue burden on the participant in any way.

Furthermore, there are preparation courses offered by QuickStart, like their AWS Solutions Architect Certification, which enables learners to gain background knowledge related to coursework studied in AWS certifications so that their path to achieve the latter becomes easier.

Advantages Of Becoming an AWS Certified Professional:

The benefits of becoming an AWS certified professional are highly tangible and have an almost immediate pay off compared to other types of certifications. If you are planning to enroll in it soon, then here are some advantages that you will definitely realize once you successfully complete the certification:

A Big Pay Hike:

An increase of up to 25.9% can be expected in average salary per annum by a professional who completes at least one AWS certification.

Leverage The Certification as A Marketing Collateral:

Whether you are working in an organization or in your own personal capacity, the AWS certification will definitely allow you to bag much more lucrative projects very easily, as clients will now have increased trust in your abilities related to utilizing the AWS platform to the best effect.

Tap in to A Global Professional Network:

The AWS Certified Global Community consists of professionals from all types of industries around the globe. Once you get the certification, you can become a full member of this body and build wide-ranging industry contacts that are not possible by any other alternate means.

Assist Your Firm In Developing a Custom Training Plan:

Every firm has different needs with the AWS platform so the training that has to be imparted to employees has to be customized extensively. As a AWS certified professional, you will be in a prime position to build, run and execute this training program, thereby making you an important asset for the firm.

Conclusion:

The AWS platform is likely to grow in dominance in the cloud computing space. Becoming an expert with a validated skills by obtaining an AWS certification is an excellent investment to make for professionals in 2020.

Talk to our experts for further guidance on the courses you should take to elevate your cloud career. Start your training journey now!