How to Become a Cloud Systems Administrator

To loosely explain, a cloud systems administrator is someone who plans, manages, and organizes cloud-based workloads. They make sure that there is a smooth and continuous delivery of all cloud services to companies and clients.

The roles and responsibilities can vary quite a bit from one organization to another. At some smaller companies, cloud administrators may need to design cloud strategies and architectures.

Whereas in big companies, those tasks are usually handled by cloud architects. In some environments, cloud administrators may have to do a bit of coding.

Your tasks and responsibilities will all be dependent on the hiring company and its requirements.

A cloud systems administrator usually works in mixed Unix and Windows software environments. They are responsible for managing multiple cloud servers and cloud infrastructure services.

They also oversee, lead, and maintain multi-user computing environments as the specific organization requires. Usually, a cloud systems administrator has to develop, construct, execute, and supervise the systems that incorporate the underlying cloud platform.

They will usually work alongside the IT department to support and develop Unix or Windows environments. They also give technical assistance on cloud-based environments and solve operational issues.

According to PayScale, in the US, the average annual salary for a cloud systems administrator is $67,467.

Some salaries can go as low as $56,500 and as high as $103,000. The pay can vary greatly and will all be dependent on location, organization, responsibilities, skill level, and experience.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, similar job roles, such as network administrators can make an average of $84,810 per annum.

As stated in theUS Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an anticipated increase in cloud system career opportunities for computer systems administration. The job outlook is estimated to grow at 4% within the next ten years as demand increases.

Because of this, it is a good idea to kick-start your career in cloud administration today.

Having job security is important and the demand for cloud administration ensures that. People with cloud as well as computer systems experience will have the advantage over others.

Other than the technical skills mentioned above, there are few soft skills that you need to be a Cloud Systems Administrator.

They are as follows:
● Collaboration skills. Teams that communicate and work together with each other are a norm in the cloud industry.
● Analytical skills. It is essential that you are able to develop and analyze insights that are based on large amounts of data.
● You also need to have great problem-solving skills so that you are able to resolve any cloud-based issues when they arise.

In order to upskill yourself and stand out amongst other candidates, it would be to your advantage to earn relevant certifications. There are various certification programs for Cloud systems administration that we offer at The California Institute of Arts and Technology:

● AWS Certified Solutions Architect. This certification is one that will confirm your knowledge with regards to deployment and of resilient applications on AWS systems and technologies. This program also centers on advanced technical expertise with regards to designing distributed systems and applications on the AWS system.

We also have a more generalized cloud administration certification which is the:

● CompTIA Linux+ certification. This one is great for entry-level and beginners who are just starting out.
● For intermediates, the Google Cloud Engineer Associate Certification is a good choice. It covers topics such as how to set up cloud projects, and planning and configuring cloud solutions.

We also have another certification that is perfect for entry-level and beginners, which is the:

● Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification. This certification is designed for beginner IT professionals that are interested and would like to start their career in cloud services. It helps to build your skills in the following areas: networks, basic cloud technologies, and databases.

Unfortunately, to land yourself the first role of being a cloud systems administrator, you will need a minimum of 3 years of related experience in a cloud computing role.

A related role could include a cloud analyst or a junior network administrator. Once you have the degree, your certifications, and a minimum of 3 years of experience then you are ready to kickstart your career in Cloud Systems Administration.

Some companies and employers do seek out candidates who have a master’s degree in computer science and other

Perhaps you are interested in an IT career working in the cloud but maybe being a Cloud Systems Administrator is not quite for you? There are plenty of roles that are similar that you can look into:

● Systems Administrator. This is someone who ensures that the company’s software and hardware are working as intended. They also support the organization by installing all the applications needed.

● Cloud integration specialist. This is someone who is accountable for the integration of new cloud services in their organization. They are also able to discover, diagnosed, and remediate any software issues in the company.

● Network administrator. This is someone who installs and supports the network as well as the hardware systems. They are also able to identify and remediate any connectivity issues within the organization.

● IT systems manager. This is someone who helps users with their hardware, software, and any connectivity problems they may have. They are also responsible for monitoring systems and networks for security, performance, and any other issues.

The best thing you can do for yourself and your career is to always upskill yourself. You need to make sure that you are the best and most knowledgeable you can be.

Even though you may have already gotten your foot into the career with certification, to advance, you are going to have to keep on learning and cultivating your skills. You can do this by earning more certifications and gaining real, practical work experience.

Both of these suggestions will set you apart from other candidates and help you move forward in your career as a Cloud Systems Administrator.