Where Do I Start?

At A Cloud Guru we have students from all walks of life from subject matter experts looking to expand their skill sets 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 platform. So, we’ve compiled some steps to help start you on your path to becoming a Cloud Guru.

1. 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.
   
   • Introduction to Cloud Computing
   • Introduction to AWS
   • Introduction to Azure
   • Introduction to Google Cloud Computing

2. Try our learning paths
   

   Learning Paths are recommended paths through our course catalog geared for specific disciplines. By following a Learning Path, you can be sure you're on the right track to reaching your Cloud goals. Learn how to start a learning path, here.

3. Choose your provider associate courses 

   Choose your preferred Cloud provider and get started with a few of their associate courses.
   

   AWS Associate Courses
   

   • Solution Architect Associate
   • Developer Associate
   • System Administrator Associate

   GCP Associate Course
   

   • Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE)
   • Browse other courses

   Azure Associate Courses

   • For The Beginner - AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
   • For The IT Pro - AZ-103: Microsoft Azure Administrator 
   • For The Architect Pro - AZ-301: Microsoft Azure Architect Design
   • Browse other courses
     

4. Dive deeper

   Once you’ve completed the associate courses, I we recommend that you take two Deep Dive courses. One should be what you are least competent in, and the other what 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.

5. Make a plan

   Once you’ve expanded your knowledge, you’ll need to decide if 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.

I've made a plan. What's next?

• Register for Cloud news 

  Now that you’ve made a plan it’s time to start connecting with the industry and get ready to succeed. We compile news and updates from the top Cloud providers at a weekly or monthly cadence and deliver them right to your inbox. All you need to do is register for your preferred provider’s news and voila.

  • Register for “AWS This Week”
  • Register for “Azure This Week”
  • Register for "GCP This Month"

• Keep learning 

  Whether preparing for a certification or just beefing up on some skills in general, you can always take advantage of the unlimited courses, exams, and hands-on labs offered through your ACG membership plan. Also, keep an eye out for specialized content like "Alexa Devs".

No matter what your Cloud goals are, ACG is here to support. Curious about what IT Roles are out there? Check out a thought provoking article on IT roles. The possibilities are endless.