Cloud computing is flourishing – here are the skills you need for the industry

Alibaba has recently announced that will be making a $28.26 billion investment in cloud computing infrastructure and technology over the next three years to meet high demand, particularly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinese e-commerce group – one of the top cloud providers in the world – has said it would be spending the investment to build “next-generation data centres and develop related technologies including semiconductors and servers.”

Alibaba’s cloud computing businesses and remote working tools such as DingDing – a workplace chat app popular in China – has seen a significant boost since lockdown measures began.

This latest investment is testament to that fact that cloud computing is essential during the pandemic, and is one of the few sectors that are thriving in unprecedented times and will continue to flourish.

Jeff Zhang, president of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has posed additional stress on the overall economy across sectors, but it also steers us to put more focus on the digital economy.”

Companies big and small are seeing the value of cloud technologies which enables them to work from anywhere and store their data securely without the need for additional servers or hardware.

Even before the pandemic, cloud computing was a rapidly growing sector in IT technology with strong career growth prospects.

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics in the US, computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow 12% from 2018 to 2028 – much faster than the average for all occupations – and these occupations are projected to add about 546,200 new jobs.

Plus, demand for workers in this industry will stem from “greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security.”

“These occupations are projected to add about 546,200 new jobs. Demand for these workers will stem from greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security.”

The Bureau also found that the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $88,240 in May 2019, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $39,810.

In order to embark on the path towards a lucrative and successful cloud computing career, there are certain skills that professionals in this industry must develop.

Whether you’re looking to switch careers entirely or upskill yourself, becoming proficient in these skills will help you achieve your career goals.

Coding and database management are important programming skills for software developers in cloud computing. Coding languages you would need to brush up on are Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP, and Java.

Additionally, you would need to learn the basics of new cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

While those are the necessary technical skills needed to work in the industry, you will also need to develop soft skills such as interpersonal communication, innovative thinking, analytical thinking, and leadership skills to stand out from the rest and compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

You can learn the technical skills needed and further your knowledge in cloud computing via online courses and certifications, either provided by service providers like IBM, Amazon, and Microsoft or online course platforms like Coursera and EdX.

If you’re already savvy with cloud computing but you want to gain business acumen and further develop your leadership skills, consider a Master’s degree or MBA to succeed in the dynamic world of cloud computing technology.