Top 10 Reasons To Get An AWS Certification

Cloud computing has emerged as one of the hottest topics in the world of Information Technology. Organizations large and small are moving their applications and infrastructure over to the cloud. New cloud service models are coming on the scene constantly and cloud service providers are racing to provide customers with new features and services to help them tackle their toughest issues. With all of the new providers and service models that are popping up, Amazon’s AWS collection of services remains the clear industry leader in the cloud computing market.

What is AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a collection of over 100 cloud services that allow companies to launch compute, database, storage, security, and other resources. These can then be leveraged to create full application environments that help businesses run applications, reduce expenses and scale up operations.

All of the AWS functionality is offered under a pay as you go model, where you, the customer, are charged based on the type and quantity of the resources you consume. At its core, Amazon Web Services (AWS)  gives users the ability to create and launch services, some of which can be used to:

1. Run web and application servers in the cloud to host client facing websites and internal applications.

2. Securely store all of your files and important data on cloud resources so you can access them from anywhere for the purpose of data backup and disaster recovery.

3. Create managed databases based on popular database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle or SQL Server to store information and run reports.

4. Perform robust data analytics using services like AWS Kinesis, AWS QuickSight, and AWS Glue.

5. Create robust content delivery networks using services like AWS CloudFront to distribute static files such as images and videos to various edge locations around the world.

Why choose an AWS Certification?

Amazon first introduced the option for certification in 2013. Today, AWS is the clear industry leader in cloud technology and has the most robust offering of cloud services one can learn, master and get certified in. Each AWS certification path is built around a speciality role in engineering and requires a strong foundational understanding of the AWS platform (here's some resource to help you navigate through the types of cloud services).

If you are going to invest your time in learning about cloud technologies, you might as well learn from reputed training providers whose courseware aligns to the credentialing requirements set by the industry leader - AWS. In order to get certified, each individual must pay the exam registration fee and pass a multiple choice exam achieving a minimum passing score thereby demonstrating the required proficiency in the selected AWS certification path.  After passing the AWS certification exam, you must retake your certification exam every two years.

With the short window that the certification is valid for and the need to take the exam again to recertify the question “Is the AWS certification worth it?” comes up frequently. The resounding answer is yes! The amount of time needed to learn AWS thoroughly enough to meet the rigorous standards of certification and recertification makes it amongst the most respected and widely sought after certifications in the industry.

Top 10 reasons to get AWS certified

1. Cloud adoption statistics prove that cloud technology is the future

Cloud technologies are quickly becoming the future for organizations in many sectors of business. The emergence of cutting edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine learning is driving a push to cloud technology.  83% of enterprise workloads will be in the cloud by 2020. That is a staggering prediction. Gaining expertise in cloud computing is soon going to be a necessity for information technology professionals.

2. AWS is the clear market leader in IAAS cloud computing

A recent article from Gartner the leading research and advisory company analyzed that the worldwide Infrastructure As A Service (IAAS) market grew 29.5% in 2017 proving that cloud adoption by organizations is on the rise. The same report showed that Amazon Web Services (AWS) held 53.7% of that IAAS market.

The nearest competitor (Microsoft) held just 8.7% of the IAAS market proving that AWS is the clear market leader in IAAS cloud computing. Learning the core concepts needed to work with the AWS platform will guarantee that you have the skills to work with the most widely used platform in cloud adoption.

3. Getting certified distinguishes your resume from other qualified candidates

With the constant year over year growth, we are seeing in the cloud industry, many will need to learn the AWS technology just to keep up with the changes in the industry and stay relevant in their jobs (also consider checking out this career guide for cloud computing jobs). Getting certified now keeps you ahead of the pack in a fast-growing market that is only going to get bigger.

4. An AWS Certification commands high paying jobs

Amongst current information technology certifications, AWS certifications rank high on the list of the highest paying certifications. According to one ranking of the most popular certifications in the  IT industry, the AWS Certified Developer - Associate ranks number 4 on the list of the highest paying certifications. This certification yields certified developers an average salary of $114,148 per year.

Even higher up in the ranking (rank 2), the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification holders make an average of $121,292 every year. These numbers make AWS the obvious choice for a cloud certification.

5. The AWS Certification is a goal that is achievable

Since AWS certification has been around in some form since 2013, many resources exist to help prospective exam takers to learn AWS. The best way to learn AWS  is often by taking some form of AWS Solutions Architect training. AWS Architect training comes in the form of live instructor-led training, virtual and digital training in addition to a plethora of books and forums that exist on the subject.

Oftentimes, the best AWS training is training that offers a combination of theory with a great deal of hands-on exposure to the core services on the platform. The wealth of information that exists as well as the overwhelming amount of sample questions and best practices available makes achieving your certification a real possibility.  

6. Speciality tracks help you expand your current career and area of expertise on the platform

Once you start down the path of learning about AWS services and getting certified, the journey doesn't have to end there. Amazon has introduced AWS specialty track certifications in subjects like networking and security that help you to keep your skills sharp and to give you the opportunity to learn new aspects of the platform. To sit for any of the specialty exams, one of the core associate exams must be achieved first to be eligible

7. AWS certifications make you eligible for the Subject Matter Expert program

AWS has a subject matter expert program (SME) for qualifying certified individuals. As an SME, you can attend various workshops and assist in the exam development process. Through this process, you can gain more insight into AWS services and feature sets and you can also add to your resume that you contributed to an industry-leading certification program.

8. An AWS certification demonstrates your credibility and expertise to customers and potential clients.

When working in a client facing roles or offering AWS related technology to prospective clients, trust and credibility are big factors in building and maintaining relationships. Oftentimes customers want to know that they are dealing with experts in the technology they are interested in or are looking to adopt. One of the best ways to demonstrate competence is through certification.

A Certification shows that you have gone through the rigorous training needed to qualify to work with the AWS technology. This is very attractive and will give potential customers and existing clients the peace of mind they need while working with you or your organization.

9. AWS certifications open organizations up to partner program benefits

When organizations have multiple AWS certified staff members in the organization, companies become eligible for different tiers of the AWS partner program. The AWS partner program allows qualified organizations to achieve the designation as an AWS partners. This enables organizations to gain access to a range of resources and training to better support their customers working with AWS services.

Organizations unlock greater benefits with each tier of the partner program. The more certified resources that an organization has, the more benefits will be unlocked.

10. An AWS certification allows you to become a part of the AWS community

This opens up greater networking opportunities for certified candidates. AWS-certified candidates gain access to the AWS-certified LinkedIn community and receive invites to regional events and free practice exams to prepare for other certifications.

Amazon also provides you with official AWS-certified logo usage and digital badges so you can display your credentials to the world.

In closing, AWS has become one of the fastest-growing technology products in information technology. Companies are moving forward with AWS at astounding rates. Getting your AWS certification now will help you to gain the necessary knowledge and learn the tools needed to work within this new landscape of technology.