My company's systems team is splitting into multiple smaller teams, and I've got the chance to pick between two roles: AWS/Azure Administrator or Microsoft 365 Administrator. I understand that both Azure and AWS skills are in high demand today, which makes the AWS/Azure path seem like a better option. However, I'm also aware that being proficient in Microsoft products like Defender, Exchange, Sharepoint, and Intune can be equally valuable. What do you all think?
4 Answers
Lol, I just do a bit of everything. Go with what you feel like doing; both options have their perks!
Try a little experiment: Tell your users AWS is going away and see how they react. Then try telling them Outlook is going away and watch the panic unfold. In a lot of companies, Outlook isn’t going anywhere anytime soon because of just how email-centric corporate culture is right now. Do you think your company may switch back to on-prem solutions? Some places do that! My team actually juggles all three: AWS for DNS, Azure for cloud, and then all the M365 stuff.
If you lean towards M365 and Azure AD instead of just Azure Cloud, you'll find way more job opportunities. That said, focusing on cloud engineering might improve your work-life balance, although it’ll need some serious skill development. Just be aware that Microsoft changes its platform constantly, and users can be a bit challenging to deal with! Make your choice wisely! 😬
It really depends on whether you're looking to manage software as a service (like Microsoft 365) or tackle infrastructure/platform as a service (like Azure). Just a heads up, the market is flooded with AWS and Azure certified folks. It's pretty tough to find an M365 admin who truly knows their stuff, which could make you more appealing to employers if you go that route.
What do you think the job title would be for that role? M365 Administrator?
I'm not really against either option; I just want to make sure I'm marketable in the long run. I have a feeling Azure might be the way to go since it seems to be gaining traction, plus I think the salaries are generally higher.
Haha! They better start getting used to OWA, since that's what Outlook is turning into. Microsoft is definitely moving away from Classic Outlook, and honestly, that change is long overdue!