Amazon is one of the top companies that offer various services to its customers. Cloud is one of its services named “Amazon Web Services” which is the most in-demand skill with more than 25,000+ jobs. AWS was released in 2006 before Microsoft and Google which makes it the first company to initiate cloud-computing services. It is a subsidiary that provides on-demand cloud-computing platforms and APIs to companies, individuals, and even governments following pay-as-you-go services. Amazon profits more than 16% of its annual revenue from AWS. Last year it was nearly $18.44 billion in the quarter. AWS had also reached a market share of 41% and will exponentially grow in the coming future.
AWS also offers a high salary with an average of 6-7 LPA in India and $115,000 in the US. Because of its huge demand and high salary, even beginners get attracted to this field. AWS offers various benefits such as low cost, flexibility, instant elasticity, and security. And that’s why companies like Netflix, Kellogg’s, Adobe, and Airbnb use AWS as their cloud hosting platform. Doesn’t matter whether you’re a working professional or a beginner, anyone can switch their career to AWS. With that being said, let’s get to know how to switch your career to AWS.
Why AWS?
AWS includes a combination of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) that offers 175 full-featured services and useful tools such as database storage, computing power, and content delivery services. It provides benefits to different organizations through its services with low pay. According to Amazon, there are more than 1,00,000+ active AWS users. Some of the organizations including Netflix, Facebook, BBC, Adobe, Twitter, and LinkedIn spend millions and gain monthly cloud service.
Here are some reasons that state you should go for AWS:
- Zones Available: AWS covers 18 Geographic regions and 66 availability zones, also the next plan is to cover 12 more zones. So this states that you have a high probability of getting AWS data centers nearby. Having a high number of availability zones helps you in using its services with all benefits.
- Speed of Deployment: Unlike traditional providers who take days to provision a server and then a few more hours to get everything settled, AWS does all this process in a few minutes. Also, we have the Cloud formation templates where with the click of a button you can roll out multiple environments.
- Services it Offers: AWS offers Elastic Computer Cloud (EC2), Simple Storage Services (Amazon S3), and other solutions. Later on, in 2009, more services like Content Delivery Network (CDN), Amazon Cloud Front, and Elastic Block Store (EBS) came into existence.
- Low-Cost: AWS is the friendliest vendor as it offers you a pay-as-you-go service and also allows you to bid for the cost. Also, it gives you the benefit to lower your charges as your service agreement increases.
- Security and Flexibility: The most important feature any cloud service provider can provide is security hence, AWS takes care of your data using IAM (Identity and Access Management). Another term is flexibility, wherein it gives you the freedom to use the service as per your requirement.
Roles and Responsibilities of an AWS Engineer:
- Responsible for the planning, implementation, and growth of the AWS cloud infrastructure.
- Should be familiar with the term CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery, and tools like AWS Code Deploy, AWS Code Build, and AWS Code Pipeline.
- Knowledge of automation and troubleshooting.
- Experience with DevOps tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, GitHub, Jenkins, Maven, and Arti-factory.
- The idea of writing Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), using tools like Terraform.
- Experience in using monitoring solutions like ELK STACK, Prometheus, and Cloud Watch.
- Knowledge of programming languages (XML data, R math, Erlang functional, Python procedural, and Go).
- Have a good grasp of EC2, ELB, RDS, and S3.
How to Become an AWS Engineer?
There are various technical terms you should have a good grip on and steps you have to follow if you want to become an AWS Engineer:
Step I
A. Basics of Linux OS
You should have an idea of what is an Operating System and how OS works. Having knowledge of Operating Systems lets you know how your system manages hardware and software resources. It acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
Specifically, Linux Operating System is the one you must have a good grip on.
B. Programming Languages
Programming Language is the basic fundamental concept you must know. Having command over anyone’s programming language is a benefit if you’re to enter into the world of the cloud. Out of all programming languages, Python and Go are the most required.
You can also refer to our FREE python tutorial – Complete Python Tutorial.
Step II
A. Networking
Networking is the secondary concept you must be familiar with if you want to enter into Cloud Computing. Because somehow cloud computing deals with networking. Here is the topic you should cover and get thorough Computer Network Tutorials
B. Knowledge of Cloud & Cloud Service Providers
Cloud is a global network of remote servers which serves a unique function and operates as a single ecosystem. Talking on Cloud Computing is an on-demand availability of computer system resources. For example, WhatsApp uses a cloud-based infrastructure (messages are stored in the hardware of service providers).
C. Orchestration
Cloud Orchestration can be defined as the coordination, arrangement, or end-to-end automation of the deployment of services in the cloud environment. AWS provides you with an orchestration solution to provision resources in a consistent manner so as to scale your business. To read more about this, refer to the article – Orchestration in Cloud Computing.
Step III
A. DevOps and Containerization
DevOps is a combination of software development and IT operations. It provides continuous delivery of applications at high velocity. Also, it takes care of the system development lifecycle. There are some points you must take care of
A containerization is a virtualization form where applications run in isolated places while using the same shared operating system. It is a portable and fully packaged computing environment.
B. Kubernetes
Kubernetes, written in Go-Lang, and developed by Google is an open-source container management tool with where automation of container scaling and deployment, and container load balancing. Be it public, hybrid, or on-premises, it works well with all cloud vendors.
C. Virtualization
Virtualization which began in the 1960s is the creation of a virtual version of a server or a desktop. It is the foundation of cloud computing that allows the efficient utilization of physical computer hardware. The machine in which virtualization is performed is called a virtual machine that runs its own operating systems. To read more about this, refer to the article – Virtualization and its Types.
Step IV
A. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting electronic devices and data from attacks. It began in 1972 with the aim of assuring the safety of sensitive data like credit card details, addresses, passwords, etc. It is used by the government, hospitals, the military, corporate organizations, and finance.
B. Security and API
With AWS, you should have the confidence that your data is secure with the most flexible and secure cloud computing environment. It allows you to automate manual security tasks to accelerate scaling business. To know more about this, refer to the article – Security Model of AWS Cloud.
API (Application Programming Interface) acts as an interface for communication between two applications. It helps developers to create, publish, maintain, monitor, and secure APIs at any scale. API Gateway manages all the tasks such as CORS support, authorization, traffic management, monitoring, and API version management. In AWS, you pay for API calls you get and the transferred amount of data. Must refer to the article – Amazon Web Service – Introduction to API Gateway.
Step V
A. Cloud Computing Service Model (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS)
Cloud Computing Service Models are the models created to provide access to the resources and services to the users. It offers a pay-as-you-go service. There are three service models-
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – Infrastructure as a service offers you storage and networking resources on demand. Also, known as “Hardware as a Service”.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Platform as a Service is a service provided to the users for complete development and deployment in the cloud. Developers get access to free hardware and software with low pay.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) – SaaS is a service where software is given to users with the help of the internet. You don’t need to install the software in your local system instead get access to it on your system virtually.
You will get to know the importance of each service model, once you read the Difference between IAAS, PAAS, and SAAS.
Step VI
A. Get Yourself Certified
After you have been enriched with all the technical knowledge for being an AWS Engineer, now is the time to get yourself certified. Certification is the only way to get yourself tagged as an AWS Engineer.
If you want to get yourself certified and want to know about the preparation, here’s How to Prepare for AWS Certification Exam?
AWS Certification Path – Levels, Exam, Cost explains to you details of all the certification levels required whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional.
Here’s an official link for AWS Certification wherein you can apply for the level applicable to you.
AWS Engineer As an Experienced Professional
Since you’re from an AWS background, you would have prior knowledge of the technical concepts. You would be someone who has more than 1-2 years of experience. You just require to have a rigorous knowledge of cloud computing, its service providers, AWS, and other technical stuff. Focus on the core tools and technologies, you can also read some books which are meant for advanced-level professionals
AWS Certification is divided into sub-categories based on the level you have acquired.
- Foundational – Requires 6 months of fundamental AWS cloud knowledge.
- Associate – One year of experience with implementing solutions using AWS cloud.
- Professional – Two years of experience in design, and operating solutions using AWS cloud.
- Specialty – One who has experience in a specific domain.
After having complete knowledge of all the concepts explained at the beginner level, you should be well versed with the concepts and also have a hands-on experience in practical implementation.
Time For Interview Preparation
When you’re all set with the background idea on AWS and have also gained hands-on experience in AWS, you are all ready for placement preparation.
There are some points you must focus on for preparing for an AWS Engineer:
- Research about the company to which you’re applying.
- Know its work culture and technologies the company use
- Types of questions the recruiter ask
- Read about the fundamental topics such as EC2, Load Balancing, Auto Scaling, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
- Having knowledge of cloud computing, types, and techniques
- Architecture AWS follows
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