The financial resources that companies are investing in cloud computing make it an attractive target for prospective IT professionals. There are also many opportunities for current information technology practitioners to use their talents in the realm of cloud computing. If you are considering a career in cloud computing, there are specific skills that you should focus on developing or improving. Having these skills in hand will give you a better chance of obtaining a position in the field of cloud computing.

Hard Skills Required in Cloud Computing

There are technical skills that are widely used in cloud computing that are beneficial to anyone with an interest in the field.  

• Databases are becoming increasingly important as organizations struggle to make the most productive use of their data resources. Among the allures of the cloud are the database options offered by cloud providers. Being well-versed in database technology gives you a foot up in the cloud computing arena. 

• Coding and programming are skills appreciated in all types of IT environments. Some of the languages in demand in cloud computing include Perl, Python, and Ruby. 

• The increased use of Linux systems in cloud computing has made knowledge of the platform essential for well-rounded cloud computing professionals. Building, maintaining, and administering Linux systems are skills that will be put to good use in cloud computing. 

 Soft Skills That Benefit Cloud Computing Professionals

Some non-technical skills will help set you up for a successful career in cloud computing. These attributes will also serve you well in other areas of the business world. 

• Project management is important in multiple aspects of cloud computing. Planning and tracking the progress of migrations and calculating the human and financial resources required when engaging cloud services are facilitated with project management skills. 

• Knowledge of the business processes that may be migrated to cloud providers is an essential component that contributes to the success of the move. The ability to understand and communicate the details of core business processes to the technical team is critically important.  

• Accounting skills are important for all members of IT teams working with cloud providers. Understanding how small changes in how an organization’s use of cloud resources can affect corporate budgets is beneficial for everyone from management through system admins.  

• Legal knowledge can help make decisions regarding the use of cloud services. Compliance and regulatory oversight are two obvious areas where legal expertise can be useful. Other areas that require legal proficiency pertain to service level agreements (SLAs) and the depreciation of hardware when cloud migrations are under consideration.  

A combination of specific hard and soft skills can increase the probability of a suc