I was recently asked why I’m learning AWS and how my current skills/experience as a business analyst translate to a cloud career, particularly on a technical level.
It reminded me that making a career move isn’t always easy especially when I’m transitioning from a less technical waterfall role to a highly technical agile one.
So, why am I prepared to make this transition?
I am energetically learning the cloud. I’m starting with AWS, but plan to begin learning Azure and Google Cloud Platform within the next few months. I am learning the cloud using ACloudGuru an online learning platform, learning AWS Services through hands-on online labs and attending workshops at the Amazon Loft while I’m in San Francisco.
I am gaining certification in a short period. I became an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner in under a month. I am getting my AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate in March 2019.
In the past, I’ve worked on infrastructure and cloud migrations in a business analyst and project management capacity. I’ve been a lead business analyst on a CMDB Migration, managed a cloud migration for a call center and been a Salesforce.com CRM administrator.
But why are you making this transition?
Part of my current role as a business analyst, is helping business users and stakeholders understand agile frameworks. It requires them to shift from a project to product mindset, from waterfall to agile. I see my shift from business analyst to Certified Solutions Architect as my logical transition into a more modern way of thinking and building technology.
I’m excited about learning the cloud because there is lots of opportunity in this space to grow my career and learn.
I have always been interested in reading and consuming information, which lead me to my interest in technology. At age 8, this meant learning how to use the library’s command-line like application to order books. Then, going to the library to retrieve a stack of books and gleefully reading in the corner alongside all types of people – accessing library services and pursuing knowledge.
However, I realized that a modern day librarian works in technology with a focus on helping people access information. It means learning the cloud and understanding its technology stack!
Cloud has transformed and will continue to transform how people access and store information as most modern day information is in (or soon to be in) the cloud. I want to educate and guide technical and non technical users in this space. There are important decisions to be made that have a high reaching impact
My true dream job would be a role that puts me in a position to explain cloud technologies to governments, non profits and those in the public sector. Cloud changes the way people access and store data. It’s important for the general public (and the institutions they rely on and trust) to understand how the cloud works so they can make informed choices.
At my current career stage, my focus is on learning AWS and other cloud platforms for the next 2-3 years and becoming a technical cloud expert. After gaining technical skills, I would move into a position that allows me to influence cloud strategy so institutions (public and private) can make important decisions on cloud usage and their user’s data.
I just wanted to share why I’m making this transition and why it’s important to me. Over the past month, I’ve been immersing myself in cloud concepts, AWS training and thinking about my career development by attending conferences. I wanted to articulate my vision and passion for this area!!
If you are making a similar career transition or are passionate about cloud technologies, please let me know. Comment below or contact me via the contact page.
I will be in San Francisco until Sunday morning. I’d love to pick your brain!
Angelika Learns the Cloud 