Cloud Technology; there’s nothing nebulous about it. It’s a game-changer, and it’s here to stay.
Yet many, in both enterprise and small business worlds, are still afraid of it. But IT professionals have good reason to be full of optimism about the cloud. Back in a 2012 survey over a 90-day period, ‘Wanted Analytics’ found 2,400 companies were actively searching for candidates with cloud computing skills. And that number has certainly since grown significantly.
It’s likely that public and private spending in cloud computing will increase exponentially over the next few years. The result is likely to boost jobs immeasurably.
So the cloud technology explosion is an opportunity to accelerate careers and bolster bank accounts. But what kind of roles are there? And what should you train in?
According to David Linthicum, cloud computing expert and consultant, there is a significant demand for people who can assist in the mass migration to cloud.
Two types of cloud computing careers seem to be emerging: one for IT specialists with specific cloud skills, another for those with IT admin and cloud architecture knowledge.
Jobs needing specific cloud computing skills, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) expertise or Google App Engine development skills, are typically found in companies that have already committed to specific cloud service providers. These are usually for newly formed groups within IT departments, and the position is focused around tactical solutions development.
Roles for people with specific cloud skills are the most likely to be found, with AWS skills leading by a large margin, and Google, Microsoft and Rackspace postings following. The positions range from configuration, to development, to operations positions. And salaries can vary widely.
Companies with positions for cloud architects seek people who can define the cloud, from the business need to the deployment. These are likely roles in companies that have yet to define their path to the cloud and need some help in doing so. It makes sense to train in both the strategy and the deployment for a well-rounded CV.
