How to get AWS certified on a budget
Getting an AWS Certification is one of the best ways to demonstrate confidence in your ability to run and manage an enterprise-class cloud. But not every enterprise can get certified quickly or easily. And not every IT department has access to the tools and the expertise to deliver quick results.
That means sometimes it takes months or even years to get to the level of expertise you need to launch an enterprise-class cloud…but wait…there’s good news! We’re going to talk about some of the different strategies you can use to quickly get your team trained and certified on AWS.
There are two primary reasons why an organization might want to understand how to get AWS certified on a budget. The first reason is so that they can gain insight into the tools and the guidance that will be necessary to become the best at what they do. The second reason is so they can gain mission-critical access to their own cloud. Either of these reasons is compelling, but in order to take advantage of them, you’ll need to plan ahead carefully.
Find a provider who can offer you both reliable training and continued support
If you’re a small business without a significant amount of money to invest in purchasing and implementing a cloud infrastructure, then it makes sense to consider the option of leasing your AWS services. This gives you the opportunity to start building up the expertise you need as soon as possible…and to get expert help once you have it.
The biggest problem with this approach is that it often involves paying a monthly lease for AWS services that you never really utilize. The trick, then, is to find a provider who will keep you as a customer by providing timely and reliable training and continued support after you’ve signed your contract.
If you’re in charge of an IT department, and you’re looking at how to get AWS certified on a professional level, then the process might be easier for you. There are many experts in the field that can help you set up a lab in your office or business site to test your skills.
You can also take courses at your local community college to get the same certification. However, unless you want to be certified in the field that AWS offers (computing, industrial, database, and graphics) you’ll likely need to complete a full certification program. There are several different programs offered.
Allow at least one year to complete the AWS certification program
The exams you can take to get AWS certification run about an hour long and include questions about web hosting, database development, and graphic design. Much of the exam will be hands-on laboratory exercises. You’ll need at least one year to complete the program before you can call yourself an AWS Certified Professional.
The exam also covers how to use AWS resources in production as well as how to troubleshoot problems in real-world production environments. A majority of exams are given at the larger AWS centres located in the United States, but some regions have become more popular with the opening of global centres.
Once you have completed the exam you will be issued a six-month renewable AWS certificate. The certificate allows you access to one, two, and three data centres depending on your region. You will have the knowledge and ability to build, monitor, and operate AWS resources in production and also be able to troubleshoot issues in real-world production environments.
The six-month period during which you can take the exam is based on the number of hours you have studied and passed the exam. This means that you cannot take more than six months on coursework alone. You must pass the exam before you will be issued your certification. Be sure to keep all the necessary paperwork together and have your fingerprints taken for security purposes. You will also have to supply transcripts of your classroom courses as proof of your education.
It takes a great deal of time and effort to become AWS certified
The amount of time it takes to get an AWS certification depends on many different factors. The speed of your delivery is dependent on your own skillset, and the training you have received is also critical. Some of the factors that determine this include how much you understand about AWS, the number of services you are already deploying, and what skills and abilities you currently have.
When you take the time and effort to learn how to get AWS certified on a full-time basis, you will find that it will not only increase your chances of success but also make you a far more attractive candidate when hiring managers are reviewing your potential for a position within the company.
Today, there are many accelerated programs that help aspiring AWS users get their certificate much faster. They provide training and guidance, with the end goal of getting your certificate within three months. If you’re not ready to move into the cloud yet, it’s still possible to get certified quickly-all it takes is the right training and guidance. If you do, you can get your AWS certification sooner than you thought possible.