Why you can't become a Cloud Solutions Architect overnight

Solutions Architects are senior cloud experts with broad knowledge and significant industry experience. In this video, Neal explains why it is hard to start your cloud career off in a Solutions Architect role. You will learn about the steps you need to take to work towards this position by building knowledge and experience in the cloud industry. We'll also share some examples of junior roles that you can start with.
AWS certifications are a great way to start gaining knowledge and experience and go a long way towards helping you get that first role. To learn more, visit: digitalcloud.training/aws-tra...
Check out the article below on how to become an AWS Solutions Architect: digitalcloud.training/how-to-...
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At Digital Cloud Training, it's our mission to help you achieve success in your cloud career. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment!

[@marcello4258]

Absolutely true.. When I worked in my very first role as an SA I already worked in the industry for over a decade. And yea.. it was not in a massive Enterprise where I started. Expectations might be high - but the hardskills you need are even higher.. Otherwise you won't succeed. You are usually the person who gets asked not vice versa ;)

[@pranjalikamblekar7712]

Hi Neal, I just want to tell you that I passed my SAA exam today and i really want to thank you. I found your videos when I was done halfway through the study for my exam but you videos made my basic concepts so clear. I was doubtful if i would pass the exam because the actual exam questionaire was harder than the question bank of your udemy SAA practice tests. But because my concepts were clear i was able to answer questions in my exam logically. Thank you so much for your videos and content and i am ready to sign up for your AWS Devoloper associate course!!

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Congratulations on passing your exam, Pranjali. I'm glad that our course helped you prepare successfully. Keep it going.

[@Geminis3505]

Thank you, Neal, for this amazing video. I totally agree with you. I have been studying AWS for almost two years and still, I feel like I am not ready to take the AWS Solutions Architect certification exam. I have the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification and hopefully, I will pass the AWS Solutions Architect exam in a few weeks

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Wishing you the best on your upcoming exam, Cristian.

[@gussta1]

I've been a SA for 15+ years and Security Analyst/Engineer for 3-4....you're points are dead on.

[@MrAbugaarith]

Great advice. Too often we see people not wanting to do the years in IT, not realizing that an architect might be "burdened" with huge decisions which can impact the business positively, if done correctly, or negatively, if done without sufficient knowledge of the topics you mentioned.

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Exactly!

[@gtopcu]

agreed on every word. 15+ years as a SA with a similar background, and I'm still a junior on a lot of things.

[@jeremiahharvey5652]

This was such a very informative video. Thanks, Neal!

[@josephu9782]

Thanks for the information!

[@starplatinumrqm]

Great video and thanks for sharing!

[@cloud9miguel]

This is an eye opener I appreciate this very much Neal

[@Pyxelles]

This was well explained thanks!

[@cavetendobiggles1841]

Very interesting video and channel (came up on my feed today and subscribed). I started off in a call centre on the phones and moved to quality administrator (operational role), then quality manager, then a training and learnings manager, and then a systems and control manager (product owner of systems so my first IT role I suppose) and then solutions architect. Perhaps not the most natural role progression but having those junior roles if you will, across IT and L&D did give me so much experience before my solution architect role. Anyway not sure what my point is other than it can be done regardless of your career entry point :)

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Absolutely agree with this!

[@22405735]

That was really helpful!

[@vikki5329]

Thanks Neal

[@ETJ-Oracle]

Very insightful... I'm a beginner in tech. and want to get there one day. Any assistance is welcome

[@erenyeager4452]

Very nice video, gave some good insight. Could you please make a similar video for Developer associate?

[@rahmanioussama954]

Hello. Thanks Neal for your valuable advice , I appreciated your work!! the last weeks I passed the AWS CCP using your practice Exam and free materials and moving next months to AWS SAA-C03 . would use for sure your course and preparation material. I think the solution Architect is more challenging exam but do my best to cleared this exam .

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Congratulations and keep it up!

[@Bmasta717]

Thanks for insight. I have my CCP, and passed my Developer Associate today. Going for my SAA next week. I have no IT experience. Looking forward to getting into Cloud services!

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Sounds like a good plan, Bryant.

[@tamgaming9861]

VERY nice video. I also was close before to make the certification as a beginner, and found out i would have noooo chance at all to get job after it. Only to have the certification which is possible to make just by prepare for it, is total useless to get a job.

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

This is true. Hands-on skills are very important.

[@vicn7165]

Hi Neal, Thank you for the honest content in the video! I’m currently working as a Principal Java Engineer(with devops knowledge) and I have a total experience of 13 years. I have basic cloud exposure through my organizations private cloud and a few personal projects. How can I transition into a Solutions Architect role.?There is no natural progression to this role in my current organization.

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

These article might be helpful for you: digitalcloud.training/which-aws-certification-should-i-get/

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

digitalcloud.training/how-to-become-an-aws-solutions-architect/

[@peterhenriques6404]

Hi, I have 15 plus years as a tech/app support analyst. However I am just embarking on this road to cloud architect roles. I am just concerned that at my age (63) that I may be too late., Especially starting in a junior role. Also do not all the practice exams, labs and real world scenario practice projects help in establishing one to enter the cloud job market and a reasonable level above junior?

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

You may find this video interesting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZypnGOfjqimqc0

[@kaushikkhanra941]

Hi Neal, I'm facing one issue with Cloud Front. Created one s3 bucket and uploaded multiple version of the same file named as file1.txt but when I'm trying to access the file1.txt through cloud front network, I dont' see the latest version of file1.txt. Is it a limitation or there are some setup to overcome this problem? Could you please suggest .. thanks, Kaushik

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Kindly post your question to our Slack group: digitalcloud.training/slack

[@kirthisagar8466]

Hi Neal, I find the info in this video to be quite insightful. So, do you agree that the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification has a misleading name? Could they possibly name it like AWS Associate Cloud Engineer Cert ?

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

It's designed to train people for the activities of an SA on AWS. It just doesn't teach you experience, that can only come from time in the industry

[@kirthisagar8466]

@@DigitalCloudTraining Okay, I never tight of it that way! I always had thought, cert titles+ practical knowledge were directly proportional to the job title.

[@ahmadakorede3842]

Hi Neal, please I need your career guidance, I have been a Software Engineer for a number of years (more than 5 years) and I am seriously considering transitioning to DevOps and Solution Architect role. I am currently doing my study and preparing for the exam, can I be ready for a senior role as Solution Architect based on your experience or I still have to start from a junior role as you mentioned in the video

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

This article might be helpful for you: digitalcloud.training/why-an-aws-certification-will-not-get-you-an-aws-job/

[@g-prince3375]

What if the architect role is an associate role aka junior role?

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Those roles do exist, and they are a great way to get into the industry. They typically only have basic reviews of architecture in the job description, the responsibilities are very limited. But a good starting place!

[@redman6790]

I am currently a business analyst at an IT company with hopes to enter SA down the road. Would you say building up BA experience is a useful experience for a future SA? I am planning to gain qualifications and experience within Cloud on the side

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

Yes, that sounds like a good plan. 👍

[@redman6790]

@@DigitalCloudTraining thanks!

[@arsi112]

Hi .. I want to join cloud field.. how do i start please guide me .. i did bachelor in commerce. Now i m interested in cloud .. As i learn that aws certifications help in finding jobs and give you special welcom to get job then other people who did degrees .. Now the question arises that , After bachelor starting aws certification will be enough to get a good post in cloud ... and what is more valuable a software degree or aws certificates

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

This guide might be helpful for you: digitalcloud.training/aws-free-ebook-beginners-guide-to-aws-certification/

[@davidardo4466]

Please roadmap aws?

[@DigitalCloudTraining]

You can check our certification roadmap here: digitalcloud.training/which-aws-certification-should-i-get/

[@KenSherman]

1:45 - 2:00 Typically speaking. However, your soft skills may be able to compensate for that.

[@Canda-fh4xc]

All AWS Associate certifications are useless. And will never get you a job.

[@ahmedtauseef]

it is a step further not any guarante to get job. one will get job if they have the skills

[@Ari-pb4uo]

Not true at all lol . I’m a cloud engineer . And I know several people who only had associate certs

[@Canda-fh4xc]

@@Ari-pb4uo With no working experience at all?

[@Ari-pb4uo]

@@Canda-fh4xc yup . Only programming experience from a coding bootcamp. Lol . There are opportunities out there for entry level. Just have to find the right one . Aws even hires entry level solutions architects and cloud support engineers . Look into those roles for entry level .