Choosing the Right AWS Certification in 2024: A Guide to Advancing Your Career

In recent years, the landscape of information technology has been transformed by the advent of cloud computing, and at the forefront of this revolution stands Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS offers a vast array of cloud computing services, ranging from storage and computing power to databases and machine learning capabilities. As businesses across all sectors increasingly migrate their operations to the cloud, AWS has emerged as a dominant player, providing scalable, reliable, and cost-effective solutions to meet the evolving needs of organisations worldwide.

While other major cloud platforms, such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform, also compete for market share, AWS stands out for its extensive global infrastructure, comprehensive service offerings, and robust ecosystem of partners and developers.

In this guide, we will explore the world of AWS certifications, focusing on why they are valuable in today's job market, the range of certifications available, and how to choose the right certification to advance your career.

Why get AWS certified?

Obtaining an AWS certification is more than just adding a credential to your resume; it's a strategic investment in your career with tangible benefits. Here are several reasons why pursuing an AWS certification is worth your time and effort:

• High Demand for Cloud Skills: As businesses increasingly embrace cloud technology, the demand for professionals with cloud computing skills continues to soar. According to a report by Indeed, job postings requiring AWS-related skills have seen a significant uptick, with approximately 60% of cloud computing job postings specifically seeking AWS expertise.

• Lucrative Salary Potential: AWS certifications are associated with lucrative salary prospects, making them an attractive option for IT professionals seeking to maximise their earning potential. For example, individuals holding the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification reported an average salary of £108,485 in 2022, placing it among the top-paying IT positions.

• Career Advancement Opportunities: AWS certifications open doors to a wide range of career advancement opportunities across various industries. Whether you're aiming for a promotion within your current organisation or seeking new employment opportunities, holding an AWS certification demonstrates your expertise in cloud computing and enhances your credibility as a qualified candidate.

• Validation of Skills and Knowledge: Achieving an AWS certification validates your proficiency in using AWS services and demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional development. By successfully passing the rigorous certification exams, you showcase your ability to design, deploy, and manage AWS solutions effectively, instilling confidence in employers and clients alike.

• Future-Proofing Your Career: In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, staying ahead of the curve is essential for long-term career success. AWS certifications equip you with the latest knowledge and skills needed to navigate emerging trends and technologies in cloud computing, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and serverless computing. By investing in this training, you future-proof your career and position yourself as a valuable asset to employers seeking expertise in cutting-edge cloud technologies.

What certifications are currently available?

AWS offers a comprehensive range of certifications catering to different skill levels and job roles within the cloud computing ecosystem. Below is a detailed breakdown of the 13 AWS certifications currently available:

Foundational Level (Cost: $100):

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: This entry-level certification is designed for individuals with basic knowledge of AWS Cloud and serves as a foundational credential for understanding cloud concepts and AWS services. It validates an individual's understanding of AWS Cloud essentials, including architectural principles, key services, security, and compliance. The Cloud Practitioner certification is ideal for beginners or non-technical professionals looking to establish a foundational understanding of AWS Cloud.

Associate Level (Cost: $150 each):

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate: Geared towards system administrators, operations professionals, and individuals responsible for managing AWS infrastructure, this certification validates skills in deploying, managing, and operating AWS systems.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate: Targeted at software developers seeking to build, deploy, and maintain applications on AWS, this certification assesses proficiency in AWS SDKs, APIs, and development methodologies.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: Designed for solution architects, this certification focuses on designing distributed systems and applications on AWS. It validates expertise in architecting scalable, highly available, and cost-effective solutions using AWS services.

AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate: Newly introduced in 2024, this certification validates individuals' abilities in core data-related AWS services. It focuses on analysing, manipulating, and ensuring high-quality data for business insights and analysis.

Professional Level (Cost: $300 each):

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional: Building on the associate-level certification, this advanced credential is intended for experienced solution architects with extensive hands-on experience in designing and deploying AWS-based solutions. It requires a deep understanding of architectural best practices, advanced AWS services, and complex deployment scenarios.

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional: Aimed at DevOps engineers, this certification validates skills in automating deployment processes, implementing continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and managing infrastructure as code (IaC) using AWS tools and services.

Specialty Level (Cost: $300 each):

AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty: This specialty certification is tailored for networking professionals seeking to demonstrate expertise in designing and implementing AWS-based networking solutions, including hybrid IT architectures, connectivity options, and network automation.

AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Designed for machine learning practitioners, data scientists, and developers, this certification validates skills in building, training, and deploying machine learning models on AWS using various AWS services.

AWS Certified Security – Specialty: Targeted at security professionals, this certification validates expertise in implementing security controls and best practices to secure AWS environments and protect data, applications, and infrastructure from security threats.

AWS Certified Database – Specialty: This specialty certification focuses on database technologies and validates skills in designing, deploying, and optimising AWS database solutions, including relational, NoSQL, and data warehousing databases.

AWS Certified SAP on AWS – Specialty: Tailored for professionals involved in deploying, operating, and managing SAP workloads on AWS, this specialty certification demonstrates expertise in architecting, provisioning, and migrating SAP applications and databases on AWS infrastructure.

AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty: This specialty certification is intended for data analytics professionals seeking to validate skills in designing, building, and maintaining analytics solutions on AWS, including data collection, storage, processing, and visualisation.

Please note: 

Three of the Specialty courses, (Data Analytics, Database, and SAP on AWS), are all set to be retired in April 2024, as AWS shifts its focus towards enhancing offerings at the foundational, associate, and professional levels. Therefore, candidates interested in pursuing these specialty certifications should do so before the retirement dates.

• Data Analytics - Specialty: retiring April 9, 2024

• Database - Specialty: retiring April 30, 2024

• SAP on AWS - Specialty: retiring April 30, 2024

Which one is best suited to my career?

Choosing the right AWS certification depends on your career goals, current skill set, and professional experience. Here's a breakdown of recommended certifications for different professions:

• Solutions Architects: AWS Certified Solutions Architect certifications (Associate and Professional) are well-suited for individuals involved in designing and deploying scalable, cost-effective AWS solutions.
  

• Developers: The AWS Certified Developer certification (Associate) is ideal for software developers interested in building and maintaining cloud applications on the AWS platform.
  

• Data Professionals: The AWS Certified Data Engineer certification (Associate) is tailored for individuals working with data-related AWS services, including data analysts, data engineers, and data scientists.
  

• Operations and DevOps Professionals: The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator (Associate) and AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (Professional) certifications are suitable for professionals responsible for managing and optimising AWS infrastructure and deployments.

Prerequisites and Knowledge Level:

Before pursuing any AWS certification, it's essential to review the prerequisites and knowledge level required for each exam. While some certifications, like the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, require no prior experience, others, such as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, recommend at least two years of hands-on experience with AWS.

Additionally, candidates should possess a solid understanding of fundamental cloud computing concepts, AWS services, and best practices related to their chosen certification path. AWS provides exam guides and training materials to help candidates prepare for certification exams and ensure they meet the required knowledge level.

Learning Resources

To prepare for AWS certifications, a variety of learning resources are available:

AWS Training and Certification: AWS offers a comprehensive range of digital training resources, including online courses, self-paced labs, and exam preparation materials. These resources cover various AWS services and certification exam topics.

AWS Documentation: The AWS documentation provides detailed information, tutorials, and best practices for using AWS services. It serves as a valuable resource for self-study and exam preparation.

Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and A Cloud Guru offer specialised courses designed specifically for AWS certification preparation. These courses provide structured learning paths, practice exams, and hands-on labs to help you build practical skills.

Conclusion

Investing in AWS certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects and open doors to exciting opportunities in cloud computing. By choosing the right certification and leveraging available learning resources, you can position yourself as a skilled AWS professional in today's competitive job market. Whether you're just starting your journey in cloud computing or looking to advance your career to the next level, AWS certifications offer a clear pathway to success in 2024 and beyond. Take the time to assess your career goals, identify the most relevant certification, and embark on your AWS certification journey with confidence.