Cloud training is important to IT career growth at Emory

[Ed. note: Cloud Advisory Group (CAG) update #2.]

As cloud services become more prevalent at Emory, many LITS employees may be thinking about how to prepare themselves for this critical shift. AWS has many resources that address various cloud topics and their associated certification exams allow for foundational to professional level.

There are even specialty courses for people to hone in on a certain area of cloud computing.

The CAG recommends that almost anyone with an IT job function at Emory should attain the AWS Cloud Practitioner credential.

The AWS Cloud Practitioner provides an overall knowledge of the AWS cloud, its functionality, and product offerings. It is a great springboard to the multitude of training opportunities AWS has available for anyone interested in enhancing their IT career.

For more information about this training, go to: https://wiki.service.emory.edu/display/EAWS/EPIC%3A+Organizational+Training.

Derek Cox, a LITS systems engineer who has attained AWS certifications of Practitioner, Solutions Architect (SA) Associate, SA Professional, and SysOps Associate, says about AWS training, “I believe that if Emory wants to adopt a Cloud First strategy, everyone in the organization should be familiar with the terms for AWS and Cloud Computing. This is very similar to the mindset we took when everyone got ITIL Foundations Certified. The Cloud Practitioner exam is targeted towards non-technical staff that need to know the concepts of AWS but not the deep dive technical details.”

When asked to describe how he has applied this training in his career, Derek says, “If people don’t take the time now to learn the new technologies, they will be woefully left behind working on obsolete technology. Thus, my passion to re-tool my career to this new paradigm shift and assist others into adopting new skills for the future of IT.”

Zach Cox (no relation), a LITS security analyst with the AWS certification of SA Associate with a security specialty, added, “Individuals that complete the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification will have the skills to understand major topics that are discussed and the ability to expand that knowledge by studying and attempting additional AWS certifications in the future. For the last year, since starting with Emory, I was tasked to help secure the AWS at Emory project. By taking my Certified Security – Specialist certification, I was able to confirm my understanding and improve the security posture for all AWS projects I am a part of here at Emory.”