Hey everyone! I'm a recent graduate working as a junior web developer for a small non-tech company, and I have a bit of a dilemma. I've always enjoyed software engineering, but I found my true interest in cloud platforms after exploring them at work. Currently, I'm working on the AI-102 certification to dive deeper into Azure's AI and ML offerings, which I love. I'm eager to learn more about cloud technologies and plan on taking on some projects soon, with the aim of applying for associate roles in the cloud sector later on. My big question is: Am I on the right path? Should I focus on more cloud certifications or projects? Also, should I keep learning about AI and ML, or should I branch out into areas like networking? I'd appreciate any advice from those who work with Azure, AWS, or GCP regularly. Thanks a lot!
4 Answers
It’s always a good idea to learn more about what excites you! If you're leaning towards development, consider the AZ-204 exam. For a broader understanding of the cloud, check out the AZ-104 exam to get your fundamentals down. Once you grasp the basics, you can choose a specific path or explore different areas.
If AI/ML is your jam, you might want to dig into tools like Kubeflow. On the other hand, if you prefer having a wide range of knowledge, cloud architecture (AZ-305) or security could be worthwhile avenues. You can't go wrong either way!
One suggestion is to ask your workplace if you can get a dev subscription. It allows you to work on test projects and learn while you’re on the job.
Starting with foundational certifications is a great idea since they're generally straightforward and can be done in about 8 hours. They usually cost between $100-200. Pursuing the Azure AI certification is also a smart move and is often free. My advice: tackle all the certifications you can! They enhance your skill marketability and are manageable workload-wise.
Thanks a lot for the encouragement!