Microsoft Azure is a major player in the cloud computing industry, along with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud. The demand for professionals with expertise in cloud technology has grown significantly as more organizations move their data to the cloud.
According to Statista, Azure has consistently gained market share and currently holds a 21% share of the overall market. Obtaining an Azure certification can be a valuable asset for professionals seeking to enter or advance in the field of cloud computing.
1. Increase your earning potential
Obtaining a certification is a fast way to increase your earning potential. According to Zip Recruiter, Azure Solutions Architects with expertise in Azure earn an average salary of $152,142 per year. Even individuals with associate-level Azure certifications can expect to earn an average salary of $125,000.
The high salaries for Azure professionals reflect the complexity of tasks such as Azure administration, configuration, and troubleshooting. Incorrectly configuring Azure can result in financial losses for businesses, so companies that use Azure tend to favor hiring individuals with Azure certifications.
2. Enhance your career by aligning with an Azure architectural commitment
Obtaining certification in a specific architecture can demonstrate to an organization that your personal goals align with their direction. If you earn an Azure certification while working for a company that utilizes Azure, they may be more likely to assign you responsibilities related to Azure.
For example, obtaining an Azure Developer Associate certification can show software engineering managers that you have the skills and dedication to take on more responsibility. This may lead them to seek your input and advice on Azure-related tasks. By committing to the path laid out by an organization and earning relevant certifications, you can demonstrate your value and increase your chances of being promoted.
3. Provinces you with more structured learning approaches
One of the biggest challenges when starting a new learning journey is figuring out where to begin. This can be especially true for complex subjects such as the cloud or learning a musical instrument. It can be overwhelming to determine which skills to focus on first, whether scales, chords, music theory, or just learning songs.
Azure certifications can provide a clear path to follow and remove some uncertainty from learning a new skill. By studying for Azure certifications, you can be assured that you are learning the necessary concepts and skills in the proper order. Earning the latest Azure certifications can also help you stay current on the latest trends in Microsoft Azure.
4. Keeps you up-to-date on Azure trends
It is important to stay updated on the latest trends and developments in the constantly evolving technology field. Obtaining an Azure certification can help you do just that, as it demonstrates your commitment to learning and staying current in the field.
For example, artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing area in technology, and companies are in high demand for software developers with AI expertise. However, if you are not actively keeping track of industry trends, you may not be aware of this demand. Azure certifications help you stay informed about new technologies and opportunities in the field.
5. Broaden your knowledge of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly advancing and innovative technology in high demand by organizations. Microsoft offers an AI pipeline to help professionals get started in this field, beginning with the Azure AI Fundamentals certification.
With AI, companies can create chatbots for customer communication and use them for facial analysis, natural language processing (such as translation), and keyphrase extraction, among other applications. AI has the potential to do even more, and earning an Azure AI Fundamentals certification can help you learn these skills and get started in the field.
