How to Become an AWS Solutions Architect – Beginner’s Guide
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most popular cloud computing services that is widely accepted by businesses across the world. Entered into the market in 2006, it has captured the global market despite fierce competition due to its simplicity, scalability, security, and cost-effective solutions. With more companies using AWS to run different aspects of their businesses, the job opportunities for cloud computing professionals have also increased. If you want to start your career as an AWS Solutions architect fresher, then this article is meant for you.
This blog will serve as a guide for beginners searching for answers on how to become an AWS Solutions Architect. Here you will find all the information about the AWS Solutions Architect career path, key skill requirements, roles and responsibilities, and the associated certifications.
Table of Contents
Who is an AWS Solutions Architect?
How To Become an AWS Solutions Architect?
- Step 1. Enroll in an Online Learning Course – Top AWS Courses
- Step 2. Qualify AWS Solutions Architect Certification
- Step 3: Take Up Industry Work & Apply for Jobs
Let’s begin by understanding AWS.
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What is AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a combination of multiple cloud computing infrastructures offering innovative products and services. It provides business solutions for servers, networking, and remote computing services. AWS leads the cloud computing space as it complies with cloud computing models such as Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
As per Canalys, “as of July 2020, AWS has captured 31% of the cloud market share, followed by Azure at 20% and Google Cloud at 6%. AWS is expected to reach heights in the coming years.”
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Who is an AWS Solutions Architect?
AWS Solutions Architect is an IT professional who is responsible for deploying applications to infrastructure in the AWS cloud. He or She is mainly responsible for:
- Finding a solution to business problems with technology implementation
- Identifying the right platform, programming language, and framework for creating a solution
- Deciding on system maintenance and future scaling
- Identifying and minimizing the risks associated with third-party platforms
- Deciding the look and feel of the software
- Ensuring that infrastructure and architecture are well implemented
- Monitor systems routinely to ensure that all business goals are met
- Ensuring sustainability of configuration management
Also Read>> Top 10 Reasons to learn AWS
How To Become an AWS Solutions Architect?
The following are the steps to become an AWS Architect
Step 1. Enroll in an Online Learning Course
As an AWS Architect, you will require a good understanding of how to use the AWS cloud to create the most secure cloud environment for the organization. You will need to gain the skills for the AWS Solutions Architect jobs and its certification exams. By enrolling in a professional AWS Solutions Architect Training online course, you will be equipped with the necessary skills. It will also help you prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate level examination.
Skills required for an AWS Solutions Architect
Following are the required skills:
- Understanding of specific programming or scripting languages – Java, Python, or C#
- Data storage fundamentals
- Networking
- AWS service selection
- Cloud-specific patterns and technologies
- Communication
- Fluency in at least one operating system (Linux, Windows, Solaris, Ubuntu, or Unix)
Choose an online course that offers:
- Good knowledge of basic and advanced AWS concepts.
- Real-time industry projects to give you hands-on experience and prepare you for your job.
- Offers core knowledge of concepts asked in certification exams.
Top AWS Courses
Here are some of the online courses to get you well-versed and well-equipped with in-depth knowledge in this domain.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate on Udemy – Paid
Description: This is designed for those who are preparing for their final AWS Solutions Architect – Associate Exam exam. The course provides a good understanding of AWS, its services, and more. It also provides practice questions so that learners get an idea of what kind of questions are asked in the exam
Skills Covered:
- Basic Infrastructure Design
- Data Storage
- AWS Services
- Monitoring and Security
- Data Analytics
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate – 2020 [SAA-C02] on Udemy – Paid
Description: This course offers a variety of practical exercises to help you learn how to architect and build applications on AWS. If you are looking to crack your AWS Solutions Architect certification exam in the first go, then this course will teach you the foundations of cloud computing and help you develop a strong experience-based skillset to clear the exam.
Skills Covered:
- Multi-tier web architectures
- Docker container clusters
- Amazon Virtual Private Clouds (VPC)
- AWS CloudFormation
- Application integration services
AWS Fundamentals: Going Cloud Native on Coursera – Paid
Description: This course will teach you about the AWS core services and infrastructure. You will learn how to use and configure AWS services to deploy and host a cloud-native application.
Skills Covered:
- AWS cloud infrastructure
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2)
- Lightsail compute services
- Amazon Virtual Public Cloud (VPC)
- AWS Database services
Step 2. Qualify AWS Solutions Architect Certification
You will need to qualify a certification exam called AWS Solutions Architect – Associate level examination to become a certified AWS Solution Architect.
There are 4 different types of AWS Certifications:
Foundational Certification:
It requires 6 months of fundamental AWS Cloud knowledge and industry experience.
Associate Certification:
It requires one year of experience in implementing solutions using the AWS Cloud. There are three associate-level AWS certifications offered:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
- AWS Certified Developer
Professional Certification:
It requires two years of experience in designing, operating, and troubleshooting solutions using the AWS Cloud. There are two Professional-level AWS certifications offered:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Specialty Certification:
It requires technical AWS Cloud experience in the specialty. There are six Specialty-level AWS certifications offered:
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking
- AWS Certified Security
- AWS Certified Machine Learning
- AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder
- AWS Certified Data Analytics
- AWS Certified Database
Why AWS Certification is useful?
One of the major challenges faced by businesses nowadays is the shortage of AWS certified professionals. Thus, there is a huge demand for cloud computing professionals.
If you are an AWS certified professional, your knowledge, skills, familiarity, and understanding of AWS will be validated. An AWS Certification will demonstrate that you have the most in-demand expertise in the industry.
AWS Certification Examination – Associate Level Highlights:
- The exam consists of multiple-choice
- Duration: 130 minutes
- Exam fee: 150 USD [Practice Exam – 20 USD]
- Language preferences for the exam: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
- Minimum Passing Marks: 720 [The passing marks can be changed according to the difficulty level of the exam]
- You can schedule the AWS exam here
Exam Sections:
- Define Performant Architecture – 24%
- Design Cost-Optimized Architectures – 10%
- Design Resilient Architectures – 34%
- Specify Secure Applications and Architectures – 26%
- Define Operationally Excellent Architectures – 6%
Resources to Crack the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam
Here are some of the resources to help you to pass the AWS Certified Solution Architect Associate exam:
- AWS Documentation – the most trusted resource for understanding AWS.
- Take up an online course – to brush up on your AWS concepts.
- Read books written for AWS solutions architect certification – AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide
- Go through AWS FAQs.
- Read Blogs.
- Solve practice tests – to solidify your learning and train you to solve problems in a limited amount of time.
- Work on Hands-on AWS Labs – Enroll in a course that has practice labs. Create an AWS free-tier account and use the AWS console.
- Read AWS White Papers and Case studies – they will give you in-depth and practical knowledge related to AWS.
Step 3: Take Up Industry Work & Apply for Jobs
The next step after qualifying certification is to take up some industry projects to apply your knowledge. This will get you ready for real jobs.
AWS certification can open the door to many high-paying jobs. With some work experience and certification, you will be able to move up the career ladder by not only getting a higher salary but a more engaging position as well.
As per research, there is a shortage of experienced AWS in the market. Needless to say, this is the best time to get certified and start your career in the AWS cloud computing industry.
If you are preparing for the interview for an AWS Architect job, then here are the top AWS Architect Interview Questions & Answers to boost your interview preparation.
What Next? – Prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect – Professional Exam
After getting over 2 years of experience as an AWS Solution Architect, you can get prepared and apply for the AWS Solution Architect – Professional Exam.
Conclusion
The roadmap for beginners to become an AWS Architect fresher is very straightforward. You just have to gain-in-depth understanding of the domain, take up the AWS Associate-level certification exam, and get some industry experience. You can also upgrade to the professional level later on in your career journey.
With more companies getting familiarized with AWS capabilities, the need for AWS Architects is also rising. Every business whether big or small is looking for AWS professionals who can provide them with customized and secure solutions needs. So, don’t wait anymore to become an AWS Solution Architect and begin your journey now.
Explore More:
- AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud: Which One Should You Learn?
- Become a Solutions Architect, SysOps Administrator, or Developer with AWS Courses Online
- Which AWS Certification Should You Choose and Why?
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FAQs
How can I become AWS Solutions Architect as a beginner?
As a fresher/beginner, you will have to follow the below path to become AWS Solutions Architect: 1. Enroll in an Online Learning Course 2. Qualify AWS Solutions Architect Certification 3. Take Up Industry Work & Apply for Jobs
How do I prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect exam?
The following resources will help you prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect exam: 1. AWS Documentation; 2. Take up an online course; 3. Read books; 4. Go through AWS FAQs; 5. Read Blogs; 6. Practice tests; 7. Work on Hands-on AWS Labs; 8. Read AWS White Papers
Is it a good time to become an AWS Solutions Architect?
As per research, there is a shortage of experienced AWS in the market. Thus, this is the best time to get certified and start your career in the AWS cloud computing industry.
Why is AWS certification useful?
AWS certification useful validates your knowledge, skills, familiarity, and understanding of AWS concepts. The job market is witnessing a shortage of AWS certified professionals, thus, an AWS certification will help you demonstrate your expertise and knowledge of AWS in the industry.
What are the skills required for an AWS Solutions Architect?
The following skills are required for an AWS Solutions Architect: Programming or scripting languages - Java, Python, or C#; Data storage fundamentals; AWS service selection; Cloud-specific patterns and technologies; Fluency in at least one operating system (Linux, Windows, Solaris, Ubuntu, or Unix); Communication; Networking
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