A Cloud Guru welcomes learners from all walks of life—from subject matter experts looking to expand their skills, to IT novices trying to get a foothold. No matter your background, we understand that it can be overwhelming to know where to start with a new learning platform. Here are some steps to start your journey towards becoming a Cloud Guru.
In this article
Build a solid foundation
Cloud is a completely different way of using resources and delivering services. Just as understanding biology is key to becoming a doctor, understanding the building blocks and the philosophies behind cloud is key to both successful use and further study. Whether you're an IT veteran or just starting out, we recommend the following introductory courses.
- Cloud Computing Foundations (opens in new tab)
- Introduction to AWS (opens in new tab)
- Introduction to Azure (opens in new tab)
- Crash Course on Google Cloud Platform (opens in new tab)
Explore learning paths
Learning paths (opens in new tab) are recommended paths through our course catalog. Learning paths will give you a better idea of the cloud knowledge, skills, and certifications related to specific disciplines and cloud platforms. Choose one learning path to follow, or just explore. For more information, check out the article Starting a learning path.
Choose a cloud provider
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the cloud landscape, browse the course catalog (opens in new tab) and get started with a few fundamental- or associate-level courses in the cloud provider of your choice. If you’ve already decided your goal is to work towards a cloud certification, choose a course with an associated practice exam.
Dive deeper
Once you’ve completed the associate courses, we recommend that you take two Deep Dive (opens in new tab) courses. Choose one on a topic you’re less competent in, and another on a topic you enjoy the most. Deep Dive courses provide you with a better understanding of your chosen cloud provider as well as insight into your skills and interests.
Make a plan
Once you’ve expanded your knowledge, decide whether you want to pursue professional certifications. You may also want to decide whether to become a multi-cloud practitioner, or to focus on one or more speciality areas within a single cloud provider.
Keep learning
Whether you're preparing for a certification or just brushing up on your cloud skills, you can always take advantage of the courses, practice exams, and Hands-on labs and sandboxes offered through your ACG membership or plan.
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