Cloud Certification Spotlight #6

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👋 Hello to our Cloud Learners! It’s always a joy to connect with this incredible community of cloud enthusiasts and professionals. We hope this week’s newsletter brings you fresh inspiration and practical insights for your certification journey.

Today, we have a Junior Developer from the Midwest (USA), sharing his early journey into cloud computing. Let’s hear from Alex as he walks us through his path in obtaining his Azure certification

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Personal Background 

Geographical Location: I live in the Midwest, working for a large professional services firm. The Midwest may not be known as a major tech hub, but opportunities are growing, and cloud technology is becoming essential across industries.

Educational Background: I earned my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and have been working as a junior developer for a few years now. My coursework covered programming and database fundamentals, but cloud computing wasn’t a big focus. Learning about it on the job has sparked my interest in cloud and the related certifications.

Family Life: Outside of work, I love sailing, water sports, and traveling with friends. I find technology fascinating, and I enjoy staying up to date on industry trends. Of course all things cloud.

Professional Journey 

Current Role: I currently work as a junior developer, mainly focusing on front-end and API development. My role is primarily project-based, and I’m often working on client solutions using various programming frameworks. While I have some exposure to cloud technology, I want to expand my expertise, especially in Azure.

Career Path: I started in a traditional development role but quickly realized that cloud computing is the future. Many of my colleagues with cloud expertise are getting the best projects and promotions. I want to level up my skills to open more doors for career growth.

Professional Level: I currently make roughly $70,000 plus a bonus, but I know that cloud certifications can significantly increase my earning potential. Cloud engineers and architects in my company make well over six figures, and I want to move in that direction.

Outside Interests 

Hobbies and Passions: When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me out on the water. Sailing is my favorite way to disconnect (when it’s not winter) from screens and recharge. I also love traveling—exploring new places and cultures keeps life exciting.

Community Involvement: I enjoy attending local tech meetups and networking events. I’m starting to get involved in online communities focused on cloud computing to learn from others who have taken similar career paths.

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Learning and Development 

Learning Techniques: I prefer hands-on learning. Watching tutorials and reading documentation is great, but I learn best by building projects and experimenting. Microsoft Learn has been my go-to resource for structured cloud training. I also have been using the Learn Azure app to help me reinforce my learnings. Getting ready to do the exam shortly.

Passion Projects: I recently started a personal project to deploy a small web app using Azure. It’s been a great way to put concepts into practice and get comfortable with cloud services. I am also playing around with some of the AI dev tools to build quick prototypes.

Cloud Certification Pursuits 

Motivation for Certification: I see certifications as a way to prove my knowledge and boost my career. Many companies prioritize certified candidates for promotions and new roles. Plus, cloud expertise is a highly marketable skill in today’s job market.

Specific Certifications: My first goal is to pass the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam. This will give me a solid foundation and prepare me for more advanced certifications like Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) in the future.

Study Resources:

• Microsoft Learn – Structured learning paths and hands-on labs

• Pluralsight & Udemy Courses – In-depth explanations from industry professionals

• Practice Exams – Testing my knowledge before the real exam using the Learn Azure app

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Experiences and Insights 

Certification Journey: I’m currently preparing for the AZ-900 exam. So far, it’s been eye-opening to see how many core services Azure offers. Even though it’s a fundamentals exam, I already feel more confident talking about cloud solutions in my projects.

Helpful Strategies: 

• Taking practice exams early to identify weak areas

• Spending time in the Azure portal to get hands-on experience

• Breaking down concepts into real-world scenarios

Other Advice: Don’t just memorize terms—focus on understanding how services work together. Cloud technology is practical, and the best way to learn is by using it.

Future Aspirations 

Post-Certification Plans: After passing AZ-900, I plan to dive deeper into Azure services and work toward a role where I can contribute to cloud-based projects. I’d also love to get more involved in cloud communities and share my journey with others.

Long-Term Goals: My ultimate goal is to move into a cloud engineering or architect role. I see myself leading cloud migration projects and helping companies modernize their tech stacks.

Additional Thoughts 

Community Impact: I’ve been inspired by the cloud community’s willingness to share knowledge. I hope to eventually give back by mentoring other developers who are starting their cloud journeys.

Feedback: I’d love to see more beginner-friendly hands-on labs that walk through real-world scenarios. Certifications are great, but experience is key!

Thanks Alex! You are well on your way to Azure Certification and Cloud Mastery.

We’re looking for more inspiring certification journeys like Alex’s to feature in our spotlight series this April and beyond. If you’d like to share your story and inspire our community, simply reply to this email. We’ll provide you with a simple template to guide you through the process. Your experiences make a huge difference, and the feedback from our readers has been incredibly positive!

Until next week, keep learning and building.

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