Technical certifications are a great way to show knowledge in a particular area and can be a door-opener into a great career. Many certifications require years of experience, but there are some out there that you can get before or shortly after graduation. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure cloud platforms are widely used across multiple industries and both have certifications for beginners.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS offers multiple certifications spread across four experience levels – Foundational, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. The Cloud Practitioner is a foundational certification that you can get with fundamental AWS and industry knowledge. AWS offers a free Could Practitioner Essentials course to help prepare you for the certification exam (https://aws.amazon.com/training/path-cloudpractitioner/?tccta=icon). Find out more about AWS certifications at https://aws.amazon.com/training/?nav=tc&loc=1.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft offers multiple Azure certifications spread across three role levels – Fundamentals, Associate, and Expert. The AZ-900 exam is a fundamental certification (Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals) that you can get with some general IT knowledge and experience; technical IT experience is not required. You can find trainings and practice exams online to help your prep. Learn more about the AZ-900 exam at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/azure-exams.aspx#exam-az-900-section.
