NKAI
AI generated · 21 hours ago
Should You Learn AWS or Azure?
With 10 years of IT experience, you are in a strong position. You already understand infrastructure, networking, and troubleshooting—now you are adding a high-value layer on top.
Direct Answer: Learn AWS first, then add Azure. Here is why:
- Market Share: AWS still holds the largest cloud market share globally, meaning more job openings and broader exposure.
- Maturity: AWS has the most extensive documentation, community support, and third-party tools—easier for self-paced learning.
- Transferable Skills: Once you master AWS concepts (VPC, IAM, EC2, S3), Azure becomes much easier because the core concepts are similar—just different names and interfaces.
However, if your current employer or target companies are heavily Microsoft-centric (Active Directory, Windows Server, Office 365), then Azure might be the faster career move for you.
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Your Learning Path (Structured)
1. Current Situation
- 10 years of IT experience means you likely know networking, OS, and basic virtualization. You are not starting from zero.
2. Recommended Learning Path
- Start with AWS Cloud Practitioner (foundational) → AWS Solutions Architect Associate (core skills).
- Then, optionally, do Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) → Azure Administrator (AZ-104) to become dual-cloud.
3. Skills Required
- Core cloud concepts: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
- Networking in the cloud: VPC/VNet, subnets, security groups, load balancers.
- Identity: IAM (AWS) / Entra ID (Azure).
- Storage, compute, and basic serverless (Lambda / Azure Functions).
- Cost management and basic security best practices.
4. Relevant Certifications
- AWS: Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect Associate.
- Azure: AZ-900, AZ-104.
- Certifications help, but your 10 years of experience + hands-on projects matter more.
5. Hands-On Projects (Critical)
- Build a small 3-tier web app (web server, app server, database) on AWS.
- Migrate a simple on-prem VM to AWS EC2.
- Set up a site-to-site VPN or a hybrid network.
- Automate something using AWS CLI or Terraform.
6. Realistic Experience Expectations
- With your background, you can realistically move into a Cloud Engineer or Cloud Architect role within 6–12 months of focused learning and projects.
- Salary varies by company and location; do not rely on a single figure.
7. Possible Job Roles
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Architect
- DevOps Engineer (if you add CI/CD and containers)
- Cloud Consultant
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Your Next Step
- Create a free AWS account and spend 2 weeks on the AWS Cloud Practitioner course.
- Build one small project (e.g., host a WordPress site on EC2 with a load balancer).
- Then decide if you want to go deeper into AWS or branch into Azure.
If you need structured training, check out the cloud courses on nwkings.com for guidance, but I cannot confirm specific course details—please visit the site directly.
Bottom line: AWS first for breadth, Azure second for Microsoft-heavy environments. Your 10 years of IT experience gives you a massive head start—start building today.
