Am I ready to tackle the AZ-900 exam for a career change?

Certifications can sometimes be overrated. I've been in the industry over 20 years, and I can tell you that building skills through real tasks and showing what you've done on projects is way more valuable than any cert. I recommend getting your hands dirty in any tech job, even at a junior level.

While the AZ-900 won't give you a competitive edge over someone who has a deeper certification like the AZ-104, it can be a nice way to get started. Networking and seizing opportunities is key, and it sounds like you're eager to learn, which is a great mindset!

AZ-900 can be a good entry point, introducing basic concepts of Azure. It’s not very technical, but it might boost your confidence for the AZ-104 later. If you find it enjoyable to learn, stick with it!

Honestly, the 900 is a very basic cert. It's meant to give salespeople a grasp on Azure products, not really for techies. If you have little experience, it shouldn't take long to study for it, but it's no guarantee of a job. From my experience, hands-on projects and actual IT work are what matter most.

The AZ-900 isn't going to get you a job, but it can be a useful stepping stone. With your background, I'd suggest starting with help desk roles where you can gain some real experience and then move into the cloud space as you learn more.