Getting certified in Azure can be a significant investment of time and resources, but it's worth considering if you're serious about a career in cloud computing.
According to a recent survey, 87% of hiring managers prefer to hire candidates with Azure certification over those without it.
Having Azure certification can give you a competitive edge in the job market, especially for roles that require expertise in cloud infrastructure and management.
Azure certification can also lead to higher salary potential, with certified professionals earning an average of $20,000 more than non-certified ones.
Is Azure Certification Worth It?
Getting certified in Azure can open doors to better job opportunities with a high pay scale. Many big tech companies are often in search of skilled DevOps engineers.
Having an Azure certification can validate your skills and help you stand apart in the crowd. This can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
The salary gap between non-certified and certified DevOps professionals is often significant. This means that getting certified can lead to higher earnings.
With an Azure certification course, you get hands-on learning and lectures from top industry experts. This can help you grow both personally and professionally.
Having a DevOps certification can also boost your productivity and give you complete knowledge of DevOps. This can make you a more valuable asset to your employer.
Here are some benefits of getting an Azure certification:
- Upscales your career with better job opportunities
- Validates your skills and helps you stand apart
- Closes the salary gap between non-certified and certified professionals
- Provides hands-on learning and expert lectures
- Boosts productivity and gives complete knowledge of DevOps
- Increases your chances of getting selected during recruitment
In-demand skills in cloud expertise can be acquired through an Azure certification. Many companies are migrating to cloud-based solutions, making this a valuable skill to have.
Preparing for Certification
To become Azure certified, you need to meet the prerequisites for the level of certification you desire. This typically involves having a certain level of experience or education in cloud computing.
The first step is to sign up for and take the certification exam, which can be done through Microsoft's official website. It's essential to stay certified by renewing your certificate each year.
You can prepare for Azure certification with Coursera, which offers a Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialization. This training is self-paced and contains an applied learning project.
The AZ 900 exam is designed for candidates looking to demonstrate foundational-level knowledge of cloud services and how those services are provided with Microsoft Azure.
If you're not yet ready for certification, but want to develop skills in cloud computing, consider the Microsoft Cloud Support Associate Professional Certificate. This program includes over 12 courses that will help you gain skills to succeed in cloud support using Microsoft Azure solutions and services.
To become an Azure Data Engineer, you'll need to have a keen eye for detail and experience dealing with multiple elements of Azure. This role requires a deep understanding of data architecture design, deployment, and maintenance.
Here's a list of essential requirements for Azure Data Engineers:
- Extensive understanding of the entire extract, transform, and load process
- Strong understanding of data architecture design, deployment, and maintenance
- ETL logic-writing skills
- Experience developing and aggregating complex data pipelines
- Experience with database administration and creating data stores
- Ability to manage and warehouse structured and unstructured data
- Understanding of scripting and programming languages
- Understanding of tools like Hadoop, Hive, Apache Spark, and Kafka
- Knowledge of SQL and NoSQL databases and querying
- Good understanding of machine learning concepts, algorithms, and data structures
- Knowledge of operation systems like Linux, Solaris, and UNIX
It's also worth noting that no matter which training courses you take, you must complete and pass Microsoft's examination to become Azure certified.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities with Azure Certification are plentiful. You can advance your career with Azure certification, which can help you land a better job with many growth opportunities.
Azure certification is one of the most sought-after certifications in IT right now, and it can help you move into a higher position within your company. This certification is highly valued by employers, and it can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
There are many career options after completing the Azure DevOps Certification Course. Some of the most sought-after job options include:
- DevOps Architect: Responsible for implementing and designing the strategy for effective software development.
- Azure DevOps Engineer: Responsible for maintaining and implementing DevOps software development solutions.
- Cloud Administrator: Responsible for managing crucial resources on the cloud and ensuring securities and authorizations are stable.
- IT Manager or Director: Responsible for monitoring and managing the different DevOps teams and projects in hand.
With Azure certification, you can work in various industries, including health care, finance, and entertainment. You can also work in different locations, such as France, the UK, the United States, and more.
Azure Fundamentals certification can be an excellent way to make your resume stand out to potential employers. This certification demonstrates your knowledge of cloud computing models, cloud governance strategy, cloud migration, and more.
You can work in nearly any industry with Azure Fundamentals certification, including financial services, government, health care, manufacturing, retail, energy, media and entertainment, agriculture, gaming, and banking.
Exam and Course Information
To pass the AZ-900 exam, you must score 700 or greater on a scale of 1 to 1,000.
The exam itself is a 90-minute test with 40-60 questions. You'll need to prepare well to reach the passing score.
The exam cost is $99.00 USD, which is a relatively affordable price for a certification that can open doors to new career opportunities.
Here's a quick rundown of the exam and course information:
AZ-900 Exam Information
The AZ-900 exam is a significant step in demonstrating your foundational knowledge of cloud services and Microsoft Azure.
To pass the AZ-900 exam, you must score 700 or greater out of 1,000. This is a challenging but achievable goal with proper preparation.
The exam itself is 90 minutes long and consists of 40-60 questions. You'll have to stay focused and manage your time wisely to complete the exam within the given timeframe.
Here's a quick rundown of the exam details:
The exam cost is a flat $99.00 USD, so you can budget accordingly and focus on your preparation.
AZ900 Study Topics
The AZ900 study topics are essential to know before taking the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification exam. You'll need to be familiar with cloud concepts, which the exam covers in detail.
To pass the exam, you'll also need to know about core solutions and management tools on Azure, including how to manage subscriptions, billing, and access control for Azure users and groups. This is a crucial aspect of cloud computing.
The exam also covers identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features, which are critical for ensuring the security and integrity of your cloud-based systems. You'll need to have a solid understanding of these topics to succeed.
Core Azure services are another key area of focus for the exam. This includes knowledge of Azure App Service, Azure CLI, and other essential tools for working with Azure. You'll also need to know how to create Azure services, such as web applications, and configure network access.
General security and network security features are also critical for the exam. This includes knowledge of how to manage security and privacy for Azure solutions, as well as how to configure resource locks and estimate workload costs using the Pricing Calculator.
Here are the key topics you'll need to focus on for the AZ900 exam:
- Describe Cloud Concepts
- Core Solutions & Management Tools on Azure
- Identity, Governance, Privacy & Compliance Features
- Core Azure Services
- General Security and Network Security Features
- Azure Cost Management & Service Level Agreements
Architectures and Services
Azure certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in cloud computing, but is it worth it? One of the key areas where Azure certification shines is in its architectures and services.
Azure Solutions Architects need to show strong understanding and experience in designing solutions that can run on Azure, which includes proficiency in Azure compute and networking services.
The AZ-900 exam, a foundational-level Azure exam, requires candidates to have familiarity with concepts of networking, storage, compute, and application support and development.
Azure compute and networking services, such as Azure Virtual Machines and Azure Load Balancer, are critical components of Azure architecture.
Azure storage services, including Azure Blob Storage and Azure File Storage, are also essential for storing and managing data in the cloud.
Azure identity, access, and security, including Azure Active Directory and Azure Security Center, are vital for protecting and managing access to cloud resources.
Here's a quick rundown of the key Azure architectures and services you'll need to know:
- Core architectural components
- Azure compute and networking services
- Azure storage services
- Azure identity, access, and security
Why Learn About?
Learning about Azure can be a game-changer for your career and your wallet. Azure is 5 times cheaper than AWS for Windows Server and SQL Server, which is a significant advantage for businesses and individuals alike.
With the rise of cloud computing, knowledge of Azure is becoming a highly sought-after skill. In fact, 37% of Azure professionals are already certified, which is a testament to the value of having this expertise.
Azure offers flexible purchasing and pricing options, making it an attractive choice for businesses of all sizes. This flexibility is a major selling point for many organizations.
Getting certified in Azure can also lead to better job prospects and higher salaries. In fact, 41% of respondents to a recent survey said they gained better career prospects after gaining an additional certification.
Here are some key benefits of learning about Azure:
- Better job prospects & higher salary after certification
- Azure provides flexible purchasing and pricing options
- Azure is 5 times cheaper than AWS for Windows Server and SQL Server
With these benefits in mind, it's no wonder that 92% of professionals with certifications believe they make you more marketable. By learning about Azure, you can increase your earning potential and open up new career opportunities.
Certification Process
To become Azure certified, you'll need to meet the prerequisites for the level of certification you desire. This typically involves having a certain amount of experience or knowledge in Azure.
The first step is to sign up for and take the certification exam. This is a straightforward process that can be done online.
You'll need to renew your certificate each year to stay certified.
Understanding AWS
AWS is a leading cloud service that offers a wide variety of service clouds, whether you need services related to storage, hosting, computing services or technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning or the Internet of Things (IoT).
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a popular choice for infrastructure as a service (IaaS).
AWS allows you to choose the services you need, from storage and hosting to computing and more.
The choice between AWS and other cloud services depends on your business requirements.
AWS is often used for IaaS, while Azure is preferred for platform as a service (PaaS).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azure certification in demand?
Yes, Azure certification is in high demand due to the growing need for skilled professionals in web and software development, including Azure-related roles. This demand is expected to continue, making Azure certification a valuable asset for career advancement.
Will Azure certification get me a job?
While Azure certification is a valuable asset, it's not a guarantee of a job, as employers also look for hands-on experience and other skills. To increase your chances of getting hired, consider combining your certification with practical experience and a well-rounded skill set.
Sources
- https://pwskills.com/blog/azure-devops-certification/
- https://www.coursera.org/articles/azure-certification
- https://www.nigelfrank.com/insights/the-ultimate-guide-to-azure-certification/
- https://www.coursera.org/articles/azure-fundamentals
- https://k21academy.com/microsoft-azure/az-900/az-900-microsoft-azure-certification-fundamental-exam-everything-you-must-know/
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