Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of computing services over the internet. That includes everything from software as a service (SaaS) for software applications to infrastructure as a service for servers to platform as a service for end-to-end business solutions.
Companies of every size have gravitated towards this new paradigm thanks to lower costs and more flexibility compared to owning and operating expensive computing hardware and software. Depending on their needs, businesses can opt to use lower-cost public clouds, more secure private clouds, or hybrid solutions combining the two. Major cloud computing platforms include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and IBM Cloud.
Learning cloud computing skills is a great way to differentiate yourself in the IT industry. But because cloud computing is a relatively new and fast-growing area of computer science, professionals looking for careers in this field need to constantly evolve and update their skills.
Core capabilities to start with include strong computer networking and operating systems, information technology (IT), and DevOps software development skills. A background in these areas are important prerequisites for learning about the fast-changing nuances of managing virtual machines in the cloud and building 'cloud-native' applications.
Acquiring cloud computing skills puts you on a fast-growing career path. After all, as more and more business computing work goes into the cloud, so do more and more jobs! Companies relying on cloud services may hire for positions including cloud architects, cloud database specialists, and multi-cloud technologists.
If you want to work directly for a major cloud computing platform, you'll often need vendor-specific certifications, which can be acquired through in-person or online training courses. For example, you need certifications to be an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, a Google Certified Professional Architect, a VMware Certified Professional (VCP), or a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).
Like other fields of computer science, there are plenty of options out there for building cloud computing skills through online courses. Online courses are an appealing option for many learners, thanks to a combination of low costs and the flexibility to learn on your own schedule from anywhere in the world. For example, there are online courses that teach cloud computing concepts, cloud security, or mobile cloud computing. Coursera offers some of these cloud computing courses for free.
And whether you want to work for a company leveraging cloud computing services or go to work for one of the major cloud computing vendors, Coursera offers Professional Certificates, MasterTrack certificates, Specializations, Guided Projects, and individual courses in cloud computing from industry leaders like Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and more.
Cloud computing courses on Coursera offer insights and practical skills essential for navigating today's cloud technologies:
Cloud computing courses on Coursera are structured to accommodate learners at various levels of expertise:
Coursera collaborates with industry leaders to offer a variety of credentials in cloud computing:
Gaining skills in cloud computing through Coursera can help prepare you for numerous tech-focused roles:
Online Cloud Computing courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Cloud Computing skills. Choose from a wide range of Cloud Computing courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.
When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Cloud Computing, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.