Discover the vast potential of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the array of careers that utilize this powerful cloud computing platform. Learn how mastering AWS can enhance your professional prospects, from cybersecurity to data analysis, and the lucrative salaries these positions command.
AWS is Amazon’s distributed cloud computing platform that lets users use their computer infrastructure for everything from database hosting to machine learning training processes. Composed of over 200 different functions, learning AWS can greatly increase your long-term career potential and your ability to work on complex computer programming projects. If you’ve always wanted to learn AWS but can’t figure out how to get started, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll learn more about the various ways to learn AWS, free resources to take advantage of, and the types of careers that commonly use AWS.
Released to the public in 2002, Amazon Web Services is the most commonly used Cloud Computing Platform among individuals, corporations, and public-sector organizations. AWS encompasses a wide range of services. As of 2022, this includes more than two hundred distinct services, including cloud data storage, database management, data analytics, machine learning, and distributed computing services, and the number of services available is only set to continue growing as Amazon expands its computing capabilities. At the time of writing, Amazon Web Services is the leader in Cloud infrastructure services with a 33% market share, more than its two primary competitors (Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud) combined.
Amazon Web Services is an incredibly trusted Cloud computing service and counts among its clients NASA, Netflix, the Department of Defense, and Bloomberg. Amazon Web Services is such a trusted network in terms of reliability and security that the UK’s Ministry of Defense and the MI:5 and MI:6 intelligence agencies have contracted AWS to host classified information. This level of security and coverage means that learning AWS will also be a vital part of a cybersecurity curriculum, as many organizations and institutions use the service to store sensitive data and information. Regardless of what aspect of the world of computer science you work in, it is very likely that you will interact with AWS in a meaningful capacity.
Read more about what AWS is and why you should learn it.
Given that AWS is a collection of over two hundred different cloud computing services, there are an almost endless number of different things you can do through AWS. On an enterprise level, AWS allows organizations and businesses to host and store huge amounts of data and utilize Amazon’s various data analysis tools to interpret, catalog, and use that data. AWS also allows groups to take advantage of Amazon’s computer infrastructure to train machine learning programs or assist in web development. AWS is also a common-hosting platform for web applications.
AWS is also used in a wide variety of different contexts outside of the world of business. It is such a versatile service that companies and organizations have found ways to tailor AWS services to their needs. The NFL uses AWS for advanced statistical analysis and data-driven sports science, and MI:6 uses the same platform to store classified information of vital national security interest. The versatility of the services offered by AWS lets the same users building machine learning algorithms host those tools for companies wanting to perform significant data analytics projects. As the AWS cloud computing platform grows, so does the scope of projects it can handle.
AWS is utilized across a wide range of industries and professions. Given that the AWS client list ranges from Bloomberg to the NFL to NASA, there is no shortage of employment opportunities for professionals trained in AWS skills. As of 2022, AWS is the world's most commonly used distributed cloud computing platform, holding about 33% of the international market share. Since hundreds of different tools are available for AWS users, it also covers a wide range of career titles and sub-fields. No matter what your career path is, if you emphasize computer science, data analysis, or information technology, learning AWS will pay dividends. A small sampling of the jobs that utilize AWS applications include:
Cybersecurity Engineer: Given that AWS is utilized by thousands of organizations ranging in size from small startups to multinational corporations, the data and information stored in the cloud must be properly protected. Cybersecurity Engineers are specialists who make certain that systems are functional and protected. These computer science experts will be tasked with building systems infrastructure, running tests on the stability of their systems, and keeping up-to-date on security threats. Cybersecurity Engineers are in high demand, particularly for systems running on AWS platforms, because those firms and organizations tend to collect and store vast amounts of sensitive information.
Data Analyst: The flipside of this massive amount of data is that firms using AWS are employing large amounts of data scientists and analysts to collect, organize, and interpret this data. Many Data Analysts will work in business firms hoping to track customer behaviors, predict market trends, or analyze exploitable market failures. This kind of analysis is in high demand in the financial sector, meaning that experts can find high-paying jobs in several major American cities. Other employers, such as professional sports organizations, entertainment companies, and public-sector utilities and advocacy groups, are pivoting towards increasingly data-driven models for optimizing performance.
Machine Learning Engineer: A newly emerging career field that is becoming increasingly connected to AWS is the field of machine learning. As more and more data is collected every day, it is becoming virtually impossible for human beings to interpret it at a reasonable pace. Thus, more and more firms are relying on machine learning algorithms to automate learning from individual behaviors and translate that information into usable recommendations. This can be for things as mundane as recommendation algorithms on streaming services to processes as significant as automating trading decisions that move millions of dollars in the stock market without human oversight. As machine learning technology improves, partly due to the tools available through AWS, these specialists will continue to grow in demand.
Given that AWS encompasses over two hundred distributing computing services ranging from API development tools to cloud computing to data analytics and cloud storage, almost any professional in computer science is likely to use some element of AWS. Whether it is for data storage, cybersecurity, cloud computing, or advanced development assistance, there are many professional reasons to learn how to utilize AWS. Learning AWS will add an in-demand skill set to your repertoire regardless of what you aspire to do in computer programming, data science, or cybersecurity. The versatility of the applications offered through AWS makes it an ideal choice to learn for anyone who wants to work in an advanced computer-related career path.
Since AWS uses a metered, pay-as-you-go system individuals and small organizations interested in taking advantage of these services can also use AWS. This makes it a valuable skill to learn if you are an aspiring computer programmer or data scientist looking to learn essential tools they can expect to regularly use in their regular professional lives. Individuals can use AWS to vastly expand the computing power they have access to for developing things like applications and databases. Smaller organizations or start-up businesses can take advantage of Amazon’s massive server farmers to purchase access to a level of computing power they would never be able to access without these services.
Read more about why you should learn AWS.
Students looking to learn AWS will have some different options available to them. Students can learn from live courses or purchase on-demand skills training courses from professional instructors. Each of these courses will have different affordances and limitations, and students should read on to learn more about the differences so they can make a more informed decision about the route they want to take for their AWS training. Students interested can learn more about the options available to them for AWS classes using Noble’s Classes Near Me tool.
Most students find that the best way to learn a new skill is through live instruction since these courses ensure that students will be able to work with expert instructors who can guide them through the process of learning AWS. These classes are taught both in-person and online in private digital classrooms using applications such as Zoom. These classes tend to be the most expensive options but also ensure that students receive guided instruction and assistance through practical, hands-on AWS training.
Students enrolled in in-person training courses can receive face-to-face, potentially one-on-one instruction from expert instructors in a dedicated classroom environment. Students will be in a classroom setting with a cohort of like-minded students, offering them valuable networking opportunities and students will be able to take advantage of a training center’s onsite computer labs. The drawback to these classes is that they are highly region restricted, as students will only be able to attend the training centers that they can physically commute to. This isn’t a major problem for students who live in a major metropolitan area, like NYC or San Francisco, but it can be a problem for students who live elsewhere.
Students enrolling in a live online course won’t be restricted to the courses offered near them which will greatly open up their options for AWS training. These courses let students learn from the comfort of their personal workstations and let them work on the devices they will do most of their work on. These courses still provide students with the same guided instruction and hands-on training, so students aren’t sacrificing quality in education to move online. The drawback is that these classes will require students to supply and maintain their own hardware and software, which can add up and mitigate the financial advantages of eliminating a commute.
Some students will need increased flexibility in their scheduling, since they may have work or family obligations that prevent them from attending a regularly scheduled training course. These students can enroll in on-demand training classes that let them work at their own pace, picking up and putting down their lessons on their schedule. This makes the courses ideal for students who need to spread out their training or who want to quickly learn a specific aspect of the AWS suite of applications. The drawback is that these classes lack live instructors, which can cause problems for students who run into challenges or roadblocks during their training. They are also the courses most likely to contain out-of-date information since the AWS platform updates so frequently.
Finally, students who aren’t ready to enroll in a full-time AWS training course may consider taking advantage of free training options. Amazon offers students a wide range of free training resources designed to help ease them into the AWS platform in preparation for professional skills development training. These free resources aren’t enough to prepare students to use AWS professionally, but they are ideal places to start to become comfortable with cloud computing services.
Read the full guide on how to learn AWS.
Students may need clarification on whether a full AWS training course is right for them, especially considering how many different routes that training can take. Students are encouraged to take advantage of free training resources before enrolling in a paid training program to see what kinds of services and tools they can learn. These resources won’t be a substitute for professional training, and almost all professional AWS users will need further training at some point. Still, these classes and resources are great places to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of AWS to better understand the kinds of skills you’ll be learning in a professional training environment.
The best place to start exploring these training options is directly through Amazon. Amazon offers a wide variety of different training programs meant to help students become accustomed to their services. These include generalized training programs and focused training programs targeted at specific professional sectors, like the financial industry, or specific functions of AWS tools, like Machine Learning. These courses are designed to lead students into Amazon’s professional training options and prepare them to pass various AWS certification exams, but these tools are productive options regardless of how a student plans on expanding their AWS training.
Read about more free AWS videos and online tutorials.
Students may need clarification on whether a full AWS training course is right for them, especially considering how many different routes that training can take. Students are encouraged to take advantage of free training resources before enrolling in a paid training program to see what kinds of services and tools they can learn. These resources won’t be a substitute for professional training, and almost all professional AWS users will need further training at some point. Still, these classes and resources are great places to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of AWS to better understand the kinds of skills you’ll be learning in a professional training environment.
The best place to start exploring these training options is directly through Amazon. Amazon offers a wide variety of different training programs meant to help students become accustomed to their services. These include generalized training programs and focused training programs targeted at specific professional sectors, like the financial industry, or specific functions of AWS tools, like Machine Learning. These courses are designed to lead students into Amazon’s professional training options and prepare them to pass various AWS certification exams, but these tools are productive options regardless of how a student plans on expanding their AWS training.
Read about more free AWS videos and online tutorials.
AWS’s primary competitors are the two other major cloud computing providers, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. These three companies currently control upwards of 70% of the market share for cloud computing service providers, so anyone working in a computer or data-related field will likely utilize one or more of these providers. Each provider offers different advantages and disadvantages, but the ultimate difference lies mostly in industry adoption and what industries a student hopes to work in.
AWS is the oldest cloud computing platform and therefore has a significant head start in terms of features and adoption. As of the time of writing, AWS offers about 200 unique services, whereas Azure offers a bit under 100 and Google Cloud offers only about 60. While the other two platforms are consistently expanding their service offerings, there are very few features offered by other cloud providers that AWS doesn’t offer. The price of each service will vary based on what it is used for and how much data is being used, but in general, Azure is slightly cheaper for data storage and AWS is slightly cheaper for distributed computing. However, the difference can be measured in fractions of a cent, so the differences will only become visible for the highest volume users.
Each service has been adopted by major corporations and public-sector organizations, meaning that no matter what skill you learn, you can expect that many prospective employers will already be using the platform. Students won’t be restricted to a specific platform if they have professional aspirations. However, AWS is the most commonly used of these platforms since it is both the most expansive and has been on the market the longest.
Students interested in learning more about Azure and Google Cloud should consider exploring the Noble Desktop Learn pages for those platforms
Students looking to learn how to use AWS professionally will have many different options available to learn how to use the platform. Given the many different ways to learn this tool, students should consider what they want to learn to use AWS for and how detailed they want their training. While every student will learn differently, as a general rule, students will want to consider whether or not they are aiming for career training or skills training.
Students who aren’t certain that AWS training is right for them but who still want to explore the platform will want to consider free training programs or on-demand training lessons. These courses, many of which are offered directly from Amazon, will give students a basic overview of the services provided by Amazon and their general functions. Students who opt to learn AWS for professional purposes will need additional training, but students will enter those courses with a fundamental understanding of AWS.
Students who know they want to learn how to use a feature or a set of features of AWS will want to consider enrolling in a focused bootcamp, such as Nobles’ Cloud Computing with AWS course. These classes will teach students with existing skills training how to utilize AWS to assist in their existing professional work. Each class will look at a different aspect of the two hundred-plus AWS applications, so students will want to explore their options to ensure they receive the required training.
Students who want to learn AWS as part of a new career path are more likely to learn AWS as part of their overall training in a career-focused training program. For example, anyone interested in learning cybersecurity skills is likely to learn AWS in a course like Noble’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. Rather than learning a huge swath of AWS skills, students will instead learn career skills that include focused instruction on the AWS tools that are applicable to that career path. Some of the most common kinds of these courses include cybersecurity, machine learning, data analytics, and Computer programming courses.
Those interested in learning how to utilize AWS and the various computing processes available through the service may want to receive guidance on using these tools. Anyone looking for this guidance can find it through the professional training services offered by Noble Desktop. These classes are available in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus or online in private digital classrooms. Regardless of how you take these classes, students will be taught by expert instructors who have years of experience working with AWS. Class sizes, even those online, are kept small so students won’t have to worry about competing with their classmates for their instructor’s attention. Plus, anyone enrolling in a Noble training course can retake the class any time within a calendar year for free. This will ensure that students have even more time to practice their AWS skills.
People who are interested in an overview of the tools offered by Amazon and their basic functions will want to enroll in Noble’s Cloud Computing with AWS course. This class will teach participants how to build enterprise-level cloud computing environments for various professional purposes. Students will learn how to use cloud infrastructure for building networks and databases and receive practical, hands-on training in these skills to be ready to apply their training once they enter the professional world. This is an excellent course for those who want to work with AWS tools but aren’t sure that they want to specialize in a specific aspect of the program suite.
AWS is vital to modern cybersecurity infrastructures because many major institutions and organizations utilize the platform. If you’re interested in entering this important and growing career field, you will want to enroll in Noble’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. In this immersive, career-focused training program, students will learn how to analyze and engineer cybersecurity systems for Python, Linux, and cloud computing databases like AWS. As more important and sensitive data is stored on cloud systems, businesses will become more invested in their cybersecurity infrastructure. In this class, students will learn techniques for monitoring, analyzing, and planning cybersecurity systems, how to discover weaknesses and potential exploits in a system, and how to recognize attackers and security breaches. This is an ideal course for any student who wants to enter into a new career in the in-demand field of cybersecurity. You may also wish to explore their other options for cybersecurity classes and bootcamps through Noble Desktop.