We’ve been saying the future is in the cloud and it’s still true. Because cloud computing allows organizations to expand and safely transfer data from physical locations to the cloud – that can be accessed anywhere – more and more organizations are seeing the light. Of course, as organizations continue to see the advantages of cloud computing and become more comfortable migrating over, cloud careers are skyrocketing.
People who successfully work in the cloud are natural problem solvers. They have a curiosity that often leads them to pursue new skills – which is a huge asset in the ever-evolving world of cloud computing, and technology as a whole.
If you want to work in the cloud, you may be familiar with CompTIA Cloud+. CompTIA Cloud+ is a global certification that validates the skills you need to maintain and optimize cloud infrastructure services. And it’s the only performance-based IT certification that views cloud-based infrastructure services in the context of broader IT systems operations – regardless of the platform. What you may not know, however, is what specific jobs you can get once you earn a CompTIA Cloud+ certification.
Let’s take a closer look at how IT professionals who have CompTIA Cloud+ are qualified for the following infrastructure jobs:
What Skills Does CompTIA Cloud+ Cover?
CompTIA Cloud+ not only prepares IT pros for these positions, but can also give you leverage to advance your cloud career in more senior level IT roles. The new version of CompTIA Cloud+ (CVO-003) is now available and has been refreshed to expand on security, cloud architecture and high-availability – while still covering the foundational aspects of cloud technology. You can be sure the topics covered by CompTIA Cloud+ match the knowledge, skills and abilities IT pros need today.
To be successful in any of the above listed jobs, an individual should be able to do the following:
- Understand cloud architecture and design
- Deploy cloud services and solutions
- Maintain, secure and optimize a cloud environment
- Troubleshoot common issues related to cloud management
It’s no coincidence that these skills are exactly what CompTIA Cloud+ covers. (Check out the exam objectives for yourself – download them for free!) Additionally, CompTIA Cloud+ is now compliant with ISO 17024 standards and approved by the U.S. DoD to meet directive 8570.01-M requirements.
As companies continue to migrate their data to the cloud, they are looking to hire qualified IT pros who can deploy, optimize and protect mission critical applications and data storage in multi-cloud environments. And if you have the skills, these organizations will make it worth your while.
5 Jobs You Could Get With CompTIA Cloud+
If you have a CompTIA Cloud+ certification, you may be interested in one of the following in-demand jobs.
1. Cloud Specialist
If you’re good at managing technologies and are willing to expand your knowledge and experiment as technology evolves, then cloud specialist may be the job for you.
A cloud specialist helps organizations migrate their information and services to the cloud through the following tasks:
- Analyzing company needs to select appropriate cloud technology
- Identifying opportunities to deploy, optimize and protect critical applications and data storage
- Managing company data securely across multi-cloud environments
- Building best practices around procurement and integration
- Performing cloud technology patching when appropriate
CompTIA Cloud+ shows employers that you’re able to do these exact things across multiple platforms.
For example, under the domain of Deployment on the CompTIA Cloud+ exam objectives, candidates must know how to integrate components into a cloud solution (3.1), provision storage in cloud environments (3.2), deploy cloud networking solutions (3.3), configure the appropriate sizing for deployment (3.4) and perform cloud migrations (3.5).
As organizations continue to move to the cloud, the demand for cloud specialists has increased exponentially. In fact, CompTIA projects an increase of 7% for cloud specialists with 46,600 net new jobs expected between 2019 and 2029. The best part? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for a computer systems analyst (which cloud specialist falls under) in 2021 is $93,730.
Read more about becoming a cloud specialist.
2. Systems Engineer
If you like computer software and designing solutions for specific problems, a career as a systems engineer could be for you.
A systems engineer works with computer science, engineering, mathematics and analytics to build a system to suit the needs of a business through the following tasks:
- Communicating with a team to understand specific requirements of the system
- Providing guidance on project costs, design concepts and support in development
- Verifying stability, operability, portability, security and scalability of system architecture
- Evaluating and monitoring systems to detect and prevent potential problems
- Providing guidelines for implementation of secure systems through design
CompTIA Cloud+ gives employers the confidence that you have the know-how to build, maintain and optimize a system that will meet their needs.
For example, under the domain of Cloud Architecture and Design on the CompTIA Cloud+ exam objectives, candidates must be able to compare and contrast the different types of cloud models (1.1), explain the factors that contribute to capacity planning (1.2), explain the importance of high-availability and scaling in cloud environments (1.3) and analyze the solution design in support of business requirements (1.4).
Most systems engineers have several years of experience in areas like information security, systems engineering, integration or systems architecture. But the experience combined with the validation of knowledge is a 1-2 power punch that will pay off. The BLS and CompTIA cite the median annual wage for systems engineers at $90,920.
Read more about becoming a systems engineer.
3. Cloud Engineer
If you’re a creative thinker, like to stay on top of current technology and enjoy being interconnected, cloud engineering could be in your future.
A cloud engineer is responsible for implementing and maintaining a cloud system so it addresses the business’s needs fully and accurately through the following tasks:
- Designing, maintaining and operating cloud systems and applications
- Understanding the language of business and developing a cloud system to address needs
- Programming code for the cloud system in languages like Java, Python, Ruby and C++
- Developing a support system to keep cloud systems secure and interconnected to all devices
- Preventing data loss by implementing a disaster recovery and business continuity plan
CompTIA Cloud+ shows employers that you have what it takes to translate their business needs into a fully-functional cloud system.
For example, under the domain of Security on the CompTIA Cloud+ exam objectives, candidates must know how to configure identity and access management (2.1), secure a network in a cloud environment (2.2), apply the appropriate OS and application security controls (2.3), apply data security and compliance controls in cloud environments (2.4), implement measures to meet security requirements (2.5) and explain the important of incident response procedures.
Developing and implementing a safe and secure cloud system is worth the price of good talent. In fact, the median annual wage for cloud engineers is $116,780, according to the BLS.
Read more about becoming a cloud engineer.
4. Senior Network Engineer
If you have network experience and consider yourself to have a balance of creativity and analytical thinking, a role as a senior network engineer may be a good next step for you.
Senior network engineers are responsible for building and designing communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and intranets through the following tasks:
- Designing and deploying networks
- Analyzing network traffic and predicting growth to determine future needs
- Presenting plans to executive management
- Understanding cybersecurity and how it affects networks
- Staying current on the latest technologies to determine the best options for the organization
The skills that CompTIA Cloud+ validates may help you get that promotion to senior network engineer.
For example, under the domain of Operations and Support on the CompTIA Cloud+ exam objectives, candidates learn how to configure logging, monitoring and alerting to maintain operational status (4.1), maintain efficient operations of a cloud environment (4.2), optimize cloud environments (4.3), apply proper automation and orchestration techniques (4.4), perform appropriate backup and restore operations.
Senior network engineers can earn as much as $132,520 annually in the United States, according to the BLS and CompTIA – backing up the fact that if you know your stuff, you’ll be rewarded handsomely.
Read more about becoming a senior network engineer.
5. Senior Systems Administrator
If you like everything in its place and the logical mindset that goes along with that, then a senior systems administrator may be the next job for you.
Senior system administrators keep a company’s IT systems running. Their critical role ensures that employees can access what they need when they need it through the following tasks:
- Ensuring the company hardware and software are working as intended
- Installing all the applications needed to support the organization
- Updating systems when new software is released
- Planning for the future and leverage new technology to meet business objectives
Adding CompTIA Cloud+ to your resume may help you land a promotion to senior systems administrator.
For example, in the exam objectives under the domain of Operations and Support, candidates are tasked with maintaining efficient operation of a cloud environment (4.2), optimizing cloud environments (4.3), applying proper automation and orchestration techniques (4.4) and performing appropriate backup and restore operations (4.5).
Senior system administrator is an advanced-level opportunity for someone with the right balance of experience and credentials. If you have the right skill set and background, you could be making as much as $147,670 annually in the United States according to the BLS and CompTIA.
Read more about becoming a senior systems administrator.
CompTIA Cloud+ covers the increased diversity of knowledge, skills and abilities required of IT pros to validate what is necessary to perform effectively in data center jobs – and beyond. Because the cloud is an integral part of an organization’s IT systems, a CompTIA Cloud+ certification can help employers better realize the return on investment of cloud infrastructure services.
Looking to get ahead? Download the CompTIA Cloud+ exam objectives and open the door to your IT career.
