The Cloud Computing Certificate includes courses in Networking, Information Technology, Security and Programing Logic. Though the student does not sit for these CompTIA exams: Information Technology Fundamentals+ (ITF+), Cloud Essentials+ and Cloud+ domains are discussed.
This Certificate provides an opportunity for students preparing for entry-level employment or advancement in the cloud computing domains.
As a cloud computing specialist, an interest in and strong understanding of technology is pivotal. You must be able to develop and maintain secure virtual environments. A background working with system architecture components, such as networking and software, is needed. In addition to strong technical skills, you will also need strong soft skills. Excellent collaborative skills will allow you to work with personnel across disciplines. Strong analytical reasoning is needed to effectively look at the strengths and weaknesses of projects.
Career Opportunities
The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth of 5% in cloud related fields through the year 2030. Salaries vary depending upon geographic area, job description, experience and skill level. According to ZipRecruiter the annual salary of most cloud computing professionals ranges from $93,500 to $142,000 (25th to 75th percentile).
Classroom training, internships, and certification opportunities will enable graduates to pursue entry-level positions in computer repair, computer networking, consulting, help desk support, training, or programming. Upon earning an IT degree with certifications, graduates in entry-level network support positions can earn approximately $40,000–$50,000 annually with the potential of eventually earning $60,000 or more.
For graduates seeking a four-year degree, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College has partnered with various four-year institutions to assist students in achieving this goal. These agreements provide students the opportunity to complete their degrees at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College while pursuing bachelor’s degrees with other institutions. Students are able to fulfill their degree requirements at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College with the accessibility of online forums to connect them to their four-year institutions.
Note: All salary estimations are based on the current position and educational trends. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College cannot guarantee that the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive.
Cloud Computing Certificate Outcomes
• Understand common terms and definitions of cloud computing and provide examples.
• Understand several common definitions of cloud computing and their commonalities/differences.
• Understand the following characteristics of clouds and cloud services from a business perspective:
- Scalability
- Security
- Hardware independence
- Variable costs
- Time to market
- Distribution over the Internet.
• Compare and contrast the different types of cloud models
• Explain the importance of high availability and scaling in cloud environments
• Given a scenario, apply data security and compliance controls in cloud environments
• Given a scenario, integrate components into a cloud solution
• Given a scenario, maintain efficient operation of a cloud environment
• Given a scenario, perform appropriate backup and restore operations
• Given a scenario, perform disaster recovery tasks.
• Given a scenario, troubleshoot security issues
• Given a scenario, troubleshoot common performance issues
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