What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn cloud computing?

Before starting to learn cloud computing, you may want to already have skills and experience in understanding programming languages, database skills, and cloud migration and deployment, as well as some history around legacy networks and network architecture. You could also have a good knowledge of the processes and offerings from top cloud computing companies like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. At the most fundamental, your interests would likely include an understanding of networks, software development, network administration, and computer sciences.

How do I know if learning cloud computing is right for me?

You may know if learning cloud computing is right for you if you are part of local networking groups or hang out in online forums discussing network issues as they pertain to the cloud. This level of interest is a good measure to learn if cloud computing is right for you. Maybe you have also already had some work experience in a cloud computing capacity. If it resonated with you, then it might be a signal to stay on that career path.

What topics can I study that are related to cloud computing?

Topics that you can also study that are related to cloud computing and would benefit your learning would include big data, cloud cryptography, data recovery and backup, cloud balancing load, secure cloud architecture, and data segregation and recovery. These are the current topics that are of interest to cloud computing professionals.

What are common career paths for someone in cloud computing?

Someone working as an enterprise architect may enter a career path in cloud computing by becoming a cloud security architect and then later specializing as a subject matter expert for AWS, Google, or Azure. Or, they might transition from enterprise architect to a public cloud solutions architect then to a solutions architect for AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure. Another career path might start as a database administrator who transitions to the cloud via a database used for cloud-based workloads, such as Oracle. A system administrator's career path to the cloud would likely involve moving into cloudops, which is cloud operations. Many professionals in the IT field can find a career path into cloud computing.

Best Cloud Computing Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Cloud Computing Course Catalog

IBM
Introduction to Cloud Computing
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Cloud Applications, Cloud Storage, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Platforms, IBM Cloud
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Platforms, Cloud Storage, Google App Engine, Google Cloud Platform, Kubernetes
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
48K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Computing
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Distributed Computing Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Computer Networking, Cloud Storage, Cloud Platforms, Network Architecture, Apache, Cloud Applications, Cloud Engineering, Computer Architecture, Data Management, Algorithms, Software-Defined Networking, Software As A Service, Network Analysis, Theoretical Computer Science, Amazon Web Services, Big Data, Cloud-Based Integration, Software Architecture, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Cryptography, Security Engineering, Human Learning, Python Programming
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: [object Object]
IBM
IBM Full Stack Software Developer
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Cloud Applications, Computer Programming, IBM Cloud, Software Engineering, Javascript, Web Development, Application Development, Programming Principles, Software Engineering Tools, Cloud Infrastructure, Full-Stack Web Development, Cloud API, Cloud Management, Cloud Platforms, Agile Software Development, Cloud Storage, Communication, DevOps, Software Architecture, Software As A Service, Continuous Integration, Software Testing, Web Development Tools, Continuous Delivery, Docker (Software), Front-End Web Development, Leadership and Management, Product Management, Software-Defined Networking, Django (Web Framework), NoSQL, Collaboration, Python Programming, SQL, Computer Science, Data Analysis, Kubernetes, Mergers & Acquisitions, React (web framework)
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
52K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Solutions Architect
Skills you'll gain: Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, Cloud Applications, Cloud Engineering, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Management, Cloud-Based Integration, Data Management, Other Cloud Platforms and Tools, Data Analysis, Software Architecture, Big Data, Data Engineering, Data Science, Data Visualization, Data Warehousing, Leadership and Management, Machine Learning
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.3K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Technical Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, Leadership and Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
LearnQuest
Cloud Computing Basics (Cloud 101)
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Cloud Platforms, Software As A Service, Cloud Storage, Google Cloud Platform, Internet Of Things, Microsoft Azure
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Technology Consultant
Skills you'll gain: Amazon Web Services, Cloud API, Cloud Computing, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Storage, Computer Programming, Continuous Integration, Customer Support, Data Analysis, Data Architecture, Deep Learning, DevOps, Information Technology, Leadership and Management, Machine Learning, Project Management, Python Programming, Software Architecture, Software Testing, Strategy, Web Development
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Amazon Web Services
Introduction to AWS Cloud Careers
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Data Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
66 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Developer
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Cloud Applications, Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Platforms, Cloud API, Cloud Infrastructure, Application Development, Computer Architecture, Software Architecture, Other Cloud Platforms and Tools, Cloud Load Balancing, Cloud Storage, DevOps, Docker (Software), Google App Engine, Kubernetes
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
49K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Computing Concepts, Part 1
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Distributed Computing Architecture, Algorithms, Cloud Infrastructure, Computer Networking, Theoretical Computer Science, Cloud Platforms, Computational Thinking
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Cloud Computing Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Cloud Platforms, Amazon Web Services, Continuous Delivery, Software As A Service, Continuous Integration, Other Cloud Platforms and Tools, Software Engineering Tools, Software Testing
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
258 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months