Exploring Different Cloud Computing Careers: Which One Is Right for You?

With the increased demand for remote data access, cloud computing skills continue to be highly marketable. The cloud offers agile and flexible access to data for companies that seek to use advanced AI, machine learning, and IoT technologies.

Cloud computing experts are valuable in a variety of roles and fields. They can help create and maintain streaming services that users enjoy daily, help keep cloud systems secure for organizations, and even support the development of AI and other automated tech solutions.    

In this article, you’ll learn what cloud computing is and the top 10 cloud computing careers that may be a good fit for you. Let’s get started.

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing refers to renting data storage space and other computing services over the Internet. In other words, it is the delivery of IT resources on-demand over the Internet. Therefore, instead of incurring the cost that goes into purchasing and maintaining physical servers, you get a pay-as-you-go model.

Cloud computing brings several benefits to users. First off, data is made more readily available. Users can access it on-demand at any time with the appropriate access permissions. In addition, cloud storage offers more storage space than any single physical server could. This helps alleviate the need for companies to buy and run several servers at the same time.

Applications can be deployed quicker through the cloud than through other servers. As for security, users get a centralized place to concentrate all their data security efforts. This helps prevent cybercrime.

10 Marketable Cloud Computing Careers

Now that we covered what cloud computing is, let’s take a look at the top 10 cloud computing careers that may be a good fit for your interests and career goals.

  1. Cloud Support Engineer

A cloud support engineer is an expert at troubleshooting cloud-related problems for B2B customers. They mainly provide on-demand assistance to B2B clients and not the end user of a product. 

In addition, cloud support engineers are tasked with writing help guides, FAQ sections, training manuals, and tutorials for users to read through and solve some issues on their own.

Having prior experience in debugging and tech support is beneficial to excel in this role. You should also have good communication skills to help clients solve problems with ease.

  1. Cloud Security Analyst

Cloud security analysts are the watchdogs of any company’s cloud presence. They are responsible for securing the data in a cloud system. Cloud security analysts assess threats and create solid defenses against those threats. 

In case a security breach occurs, cloud security analysts will work to eliminate any security gaps that might have led to the breach. This will help prevent massive data leaks and future security breaches. Additionally, they implement network and computer upgrades to keep the cloud safe from attacks. 

  1. Cloud Administrator

Cloud administrators are the policymakers of cloud systems. They manage a company’s cloud infrastructure and presence. Cloud admins are the brains behind the security protocols and policies that the company implements.

They also inform how users and staff members access and use cloud services. Cloud administrators check to determine when technology updates are necessary. These experts are the ones responsible for maintaining and monitoring system uptime at all times. 

  1. Software Engineer

Software engineers are behind-the-scenes employees who specialize in developing computer systems and software for private customers and businesses. They use programming languages like Java, C, and machine language to develop the features that make a piece of software.

Cloud software engineers work with other computer scientists to make SaaS and IaaS systems, which operate in the cloud. In addition to creating the software, they are responsible for maintaining and upgrading it to keep it working efficiently. Software engineers also repair any issues that may arise with the system.

  1. Platform Engineer

A platform engineer is responsible for designing and overseeing the development and deployment of a new online platform. These experts plan how the platform will operate and the features that its users will enjoy. 

Platform engineers come up with a development workflow for application developers to follow. They also oversee the developers’ work as they code the software from start to finish. Since multiple platforms are hosted on the internet, cloud computing knowledge is a must-have in this career.

  1. Automation Engineer

Automation technology is expanding in today’s world. This makes automation engineering a necessity. Automation engineers build, maintain, and implement automation technologies. They are essential because these technologies are shifting to the cloud. 

This is an emerging career path that is worth looking into if you want to be ahead of the automation cloud computing game.

  1. Cloud Consultant

Cloud consultants are responsible for guiding companies and businesses on the cloud software and devices they need to implement. The solutions they give align with each company’s budget and technical requirements. 

For instance, according to Cloudwards experts, Box is the best cloud storage service for businesses. A cloud consultant will advise you on whether or not the application is appropriate for your business according to your budget.

These experts tend to have general knowledge of cloud technologies that allow them to give expert advice to their clients. In addition, cloud consultants may be requested to customize a company’s cloud presence. This means that though they have general cloud computing knowledge, they also have in-depth knowledge that allows them to handle complex requests. 

  1. Cloud Engineer

Cloud engineers are responsible for managing a company’s cloud strategies. This means that they work closely with cloud architects to implement said strategies. Additionally, cloud engineers are administrators who keep clients and vendors in check, ensuring that everyone remains on target and within budget.

These experts can assist in coding and programming to develop new cloud features specifically for the organizations they work for. They continuously seek to solve any organizational issues that cloud computing can solve. This increases the benefits that the organization reaps from its cloud computing investment. 

  1. Cloud Data Scientist

A cloud data scientist develops organization systems and logical management of the massive amounts of data found in cloud environments. With organizations moving from physical to cloud-based servers, they need experts who can organize the data and interpret it to find actionable items in it.

Once the data is organized, the data scientist can then create pathways for collecting the data cleanly and accurately. As a data scientist, you’ll need to have programming knowledge such as Java and Python skills. This cloud computing career is also known as cloud data engineering.

  1. Cloud Architect

Cloud architects are responsible for designing and implementing a company’s cloud computing strategies. Cloud architecture is the framework where all other cloud technologies operate. They develop action plans that take care of specific issues that the client raises using their existing systems.

In short, a cloud architect leads the rest of the team to ensure that the client is satisfied with the product. 

Conclusion: Which Cloud Computing Career Is Right For You?

A career in cloud computing can help you thrive in today’s world, as more individuals and organizations rely on the cloud to store and manage their data. The 10 cloud computing careers listed above guide you on your cloud computing journey, but it’s essential to identify your specific areas of interest and capitalize on those when deciding which path to choose.

If you are good at data analytics, then learning cloud data science skills would be the best for you. If you’re good at coding and management, then a career in cloud architecture or administration is a good fit.

Whichever cloud computing career you choose, you can rest assured that you’re on the path to professional success.

By Ivana Zec
Ivana Zec