The Cloud Architect Shortage (What's Causing the Cloud Architect Skills Gap and Shortage)

[@GoCloudArchitects]

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[@chautmpham1269]

This video gives a clear explanation of the cloud architect skills gap and the demand for these roles. A must-watch for anyone exploring cloud architecture!

[@GoCloudArchitects]

The skills gap is a key issue for anyone aiming to become a cloud architect, and understanding it can really help guide your career journey. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!

[@AviationZero]

This was the best explanation I've heard from anyone. Thank you for clarifying what this role is and what is needed. I just missed out on the webinar.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

Understanding the role and what’s required is key to success, and I’m happy to have made it clearer for you.

[@AviationZero]

@GoCloudArchitects I'm assuming that if Architects plan then engineers build. Therefore, one should learn to build first for anyone that wants to start?

[@GoCloudArchitects]

@@AviationZero well unfortunately learning to build does not teach planning. Its why the people the build buildings don’t design them as it’s a completely different skills. So if you learn to build it won’t help you plan and you will need to learn planning skills as a beginner. But is you focus you efforts on learning how to plan - you will have a much better skill set for your architecture career.

[@loremipsumdolor123]

Great insights. This will be very helpful for me on my cloud architect journey. It is a pleasure to always get these nuggets from you Mike. Thanks

[@GoCloudArchitects]

I’m really happy to hear that you found the insights valuable! It is always a pleasure to share and help others on their cloud architect journey.

[@renatojrestorque6150]

Thank you Mike for this wonderful insight. You provided a clear path to Cloud Architect role.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

You're very welcome! I'm thrilled to hear that the insights helped provide clarity on the path to becoming a Cloud Architect.

[@2livenoob]

Companies dont invest in training their employees and building the skills they want instead of expecting people to magically have them. Interviewing people for skills you never trained them for and then wondering why they dont have them is wild.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

I get where you are coming from, but I think it is important to recognize that in today’s fast-paced tech world, companies often look for people who are proactive about developing their own skills. It is not ideal, but taking the initiative to learn on your own can really set you apart. The reality is, if you wait for someone to train you, you might miss out on opportunities. Building your skills independently shows that you are adaptable and ready to take on challenges, which is what companies are really looking for.

[@2livenoob]

@@GoCloudArchitects It took nearly 20 years for the cloud to grow into what it is today. You are saying employees should take 100% of the risk to be part-time experts in solutions that don't exist yet? I think you just as easily say there is a shortage of investment. Yes. A company does not see the value in developing their resources for tomorrow's architecture... but they expect their employees to see it?

[@GoCloudArchitects]

Well - In any relationship we have to bring something to the table. An employer cannot hire someone without the correct skills. That’s what we bring to the table. For our skills, the employer pay us to perform a role. But we need the skills. We need to prepare ourselves to have skills. That’s why people go to universities, trade schools, etc. to learn marketable skills. That’s why I invested in multiple degrees, and quality training to develop these skills. After that investment I had architecture jobs that I loved and a compensation package that made my educational investment feel small. Now we could start at the bottom and learn along then way. In that case we could be paid to learn along the way. Alternatively we can invest in ourselves to have higher value skills and have greater options in our lives and careers. This way we can start at a more mid career level as oppose to the beginning.

[@lenyoktavia5825]

The problem is a lot of architect career path starts with engineer/developer roles. Architect job requirements mostly ask for experience as engineer/developer otherwise it is hard to jump right in as an architect unless you are in an architect career program (usually for graduates).

[@KC-sg7ip]

agree

[@Passione2024]

Wow! This video pops to me today! Lucky to see it! Thank you!

[@GoCloudArchitects]

Thank you. I’m so happy you were here.

[@abuist]

Mike, I agree with your definition of the role of an Architect, but most job postings I have been seeing for Cloud Architects these days expect the Architect to also do the hands-on engineering work.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

Hi. It’s funny I have never seen an accurate job description in my life. I feel that’s why CIO magazine published this article- which has a real cloud architect job description. www.cio.com/article/221831/what-is-a-cloud-architect-a-vital-role-for-success-in-the-cloud.html?amp=1 Now there are jobs with an architect title that touch the technology - but they are not architect jobs they are engineering roles. These jobs also have engineering pay (which is much lower) than actual architects roles. If you get hired as an architect at companies that value architecture- IBM, Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, Accenture, Deloitte, KPMG, Cap Gemini, PWC, JPMC bank etc you will not be allowed to touch the client technology.

[@MISTYEYED.]

Thank you.

[@Juan_deep]

Companies arent investing in people. They dont care if you have prior tech or programming experience they want you to have experience on aws specifically on your own and for you to figure it out

[@GoCloudArchitects]

I completely understand your frustration. It is true that many companies expect candidates to already have specific cloud experience, which can be challenging. However, gaining AWS or other cloud experience on your own can really give you an edge. It shows initiative and your ability to learn independently, which sets you apart in the long run. If you are looking for a way to build those skills across multiple cloud platforms, I offer practical training that could help. --> gocloudarchitects.thinkific.com/bundles/new-career-architect-career-development-program But at the end of the day, it is all about taking that first step for yourself and gaining the knowledge to stand out.

[@davidsun9026]

There are too many cxo and architects pushing resume driven architectures with no real understanding of the implementation challenges and the proliferation of tooling surrounding cloud ecosystems. Just look at the cncf landscape Architects in many organizations are often tasked to to figure out many of the technical implementation details that support a business vision. Anyone can sit there and paint a pie in the sky picture sitting in meetings all day talking about strategy and vision. You still need to respect the skills of those who can execute and implement that vision for you.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

I get your point, but I’d have to disagree a bit. The role of a Cloud Architect is more than just sitting in meetings or talking strategy. We also need a deep understanding of implementation challenges to design solutions that work in the real world. It’s about bridging the gap between business needs and technical execution. Without a solid architecture, the best implementation skills can’t succeed. So, while execution is important, the architecture lays the foundation for that success, and both sides need to work together.

[@davidsun9026]

​@@GoCloudArchitects I've spoken to plenty IT leaders who say tell me they want to move to the cloud, but often are unable to articulate clear metrics by which they measure a successful cloud architecture + initiative, or what it is exactly they want to improve. There are often vague ramblings of "cost savings" or "IT modernization". What inevitably ends up happening are job requisitions for "cloud architects" being worked by fresh liberal arts grads from various staffing agencies with minimal technical knowledge playing buzzword bingo with your resume, demanding candidates have a laundry list of skills, listing every protocol and technology under the sun. I've written some protocol specifications for some big agencies that support some very big missions, yet some how I'm "unqualified" for certain architect roles cause I don't know my way around certain cloud vendor's management GUI. At the architect level, your personal brand, who knows you and soft skills are much more important, but it is absolutely wrong to down play the need for a strong technical knowledge base + skill set, as it is almost always required for winning beyond a power point slide deck.

[@evanstayuka381]

A well-paced Mid-Atlantic accent is easier to follow especially for audiences whose first language is not American English.

[@testcase7258]

Maybe choose non biased recruiter there is no gap in resources

[@GoCloudArchitects]

@@testcase7258 unfortunately it’s not a challenge on the recruiting site The challenge is on people that don’t have the actual necessary skills for the job For example, if you needed a physician, would you want a recruiter to hire someone that’s not capable and potentially damage your health or would you want someone that has all the correct skills? The same thing happens in architecture

[@Dabayare]

The pay is good only because they make money for the company. They got rid off human resources by basically requesting every worker fill online forms for everything. The downside is they share all data with third-party apps who lie about not selling data.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

I get what you are saying about how companies are using automation to cut costs and the risks that come with sharing data. While online forms help with efficiency, businesses should be clear about where the data goes and make sure it is safe. Finding ways to improve the process without risking privacy is something that needs more attention.

[@satish1012]

Can you explain what is expected from this statement. I am interviewed for Enterprise Architect / Cloud Evangelists Situation : A prospect ( medical device / product comp) got to know about XYZ . They would prefer to focus on product engineering and looking for a cloud partner who will manage their e2e cloud needs. They approached XYZ . As a cloud evangelist, you were nominated to present to a panel members with overall concept.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

Hi. An evangelist is the exact opposite of an architect An evangelist pushes a technology whether it’s in the best interest of the customer or not. An architect is a trusted advisor that learns the customers needs and recommends a solution to assist the customer and their needs. To help you answer that question we need the full information that was provided and then ask the client questions necessary to understand their business, their workflow. They may have been wanting you to ask questions to see if you knew what questions to ask.

[@satish1012]

@@GoCloudArchitects Thanks a lot for the clarification. When I asked the interviewer for more information, they mentioned that, as a Cloud Evangelist, I should be able to "scan" their challenges like a scanning machine and anticipate the problems they’re facing, providing relevant solutions. Here’s a breakdown of what I presented: Our Understanding of Your Challenges Problem: You are focusing on Product Development, while we would manage the Cloud Infrastructure and provide end-to-end support. Need for a Cloud Partner With a cloud partner, you can achieve improved efficiency, higher customer satisfaction, and reduced ROI. Challenges of In-House Cloud Management Time and Effort: Managing cloud in-house can be resource-intensive. Security and Compliance: Ensuring proper security and compliance is challenging without specialized expertise. Lack of Expertise: Internal teams may not have the deep cloud knowledge required to optimize performance and ensure security. Plan of Action Detailed Study of Your Platform: We would perform an in-depth analysis of your existing platform. Cloud Strategy Plan (CSP): This plan outlines what needs to be done and why it's necessary. Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF): A structured roadmap for all tasks required for cloud adoption. Cloud Implementation Plan (CIP): We would create detailed IT documents to guide the execution process. Submission of Financials and Other Details: Finalize the budget and logistical details for moving forward. The interviewer mentioned that they were not satisfied with my presentation and ultimately rejected my case. I am uncertain about what they were expecting and how others might have satisfied them with just a three-line problem statement. However, after hearing your comments, I feel a bit relieved. I’m glad I didn’t join a team where the interviewer didn’t seem knowledgeable about what they were asking for.

[@satish1012]

@@GoCloudArchitects Thanks a lot for information When is asked more details, he said as i am coming as an Enterprise Architect, i need the sense the problems and solutions like a scanner in the airport However i presented , how we can help their team by mentioning about cloud enablement, security aspects and automation and cloud strategy They are not happy with mt presentation I am glad that i did not get into that team with these kind of philosophies Thanks

[@evanstayuka381]

Great content. But when you talk too fast that makes it hard for non-native Americans follow your pace and understand spontaneously.

[@GoCloudArchitects]

Great point! I try to speak slowly but sometimes my enthusiasm gets the best of me. I actually speak Greek at home. When I go to home to Greece they speak too fast for me. I’ll try to keep it in mind. Thank you for your perspective