Are AWS certs of any value without experience?

I'm new to IT and finishing up the CCNP R&S now while working in a NOC. However, I'll be moving in a few months/looking for a new job in the San Francisco area. I'm weighing options on what to study next that will help me find a job out there. There seems to be a HUGE demand for AWS Certified Solutions Architects. But would there be any chance of someone getting into that line of work with a CCNP, 6 months NOC experience and an AWS cert? Or would I be better off picking up a few more networking certs (CCNP Security/Voice), getting a networking job to gain experience for a year or two while focusing on picking up AWS certs/gaining better knowledge of cloud's, VMware and operating systems? I know very little about any of them now.

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DoubleNNs

If you're interested in cloud I'd say go for the AWS CSA. You'll get experience from labbing for the cert. And the cert isn't particularly hard, especially compared to a CCNP.
I'd say an AWS CSA is comparable to a year of low-level AWS experience.

If you don't know enough about cloud to decide whether you're more interested in that instead of networking, I'd suggest learning about that first -- googling around fill you in. Also note that a large proponent of the cloud is the ability to automate. Cloud and scripting (regardless of how basic) go hand-in-hand, which is something you might want to weigh. (Doesn't take too long to get some basic scripting knowledge if you don't have any, but still is something you have to consider in your time estimates.)

Gpdriver17

Thanks for the reply! Do you think it would really help get my foot in the door somewhere though? Are there many decent paying entry level jobs for it? I'm starting to realize how little I like networking. I enjoy studying/labbing it, but not working in a NOC. Luckily I've been working on learning bash/python.

jack84ie

I'm Studying for the AWS Sysops... finished the Fundamentals course within Pluralsight today..
just starting the AWS Sysops course within Pluralsight, ill then watch the CBT Nuggets Videos after that.. might join LinuxAcademy as well and watch those aswell for the sake of 29 euros..

What White papers should i read from Amazon for the Sysops..

OctalDump

Read the Cloud+ book for an overview of cloud, if you don't have already.

Networking to AWS is sort of ok move. AWS is more infrastructure with an appeal to devops types. Pure networking is a bit removed from it. But it's a good path. You might need to bulk up on general infrastructure and cloud stuff. There's also, I think, a free online Cloud training organisation backed by some of the major players.

If you wanted to ease the transition and stay in Cisco land, you could try the CCNA Cloud. There's also the VMware Virtual Networking stuff, which I've been told isn't too bad if you have CCNP.

Also, you can get AWS for free/cheap to play with. It's a good way to get acquainted.

Gpdriver17

OctalDump wrote: »

Read the Cloud+ book for an overview of cloud, if you don't have already.

Networking to AWS is sort of ok move. AWS is more infrastructure with an appeal to devops types. Pure networking is a bit removed from it. But it's a good path. You might need to bulk up on general infrastructure and cloud stuff. There's also, I think, a free online Cloud training organisation backed by some of the major players.

If you wanted to ease the transition and stay in Cisco land, you could try the CCNA Cloud. There's also the VMware Virtual Networking stuff, which I've been told isn't too bad if you have CCNP.

Also, you can get AWS for free/cheap to play with. It's a good way to get acquainted.

That's a good idea, maybe I'll start with the CCNA Cloud. Programming/design seem more and more appealing every day. Running around like a chicken with its head cut off putting out fires all day/getting chewed out for not doing enough is not my thing and I don't see how anyone likes this side of the business lol.

beach5563

I know this thread is a little old but I just found it. I'm kind of in the same boat. Was studying for Cisco CCENT but was convinced by a good friend to go the AWS route. I have a telecom and basic Network Infrastructure background. Done some data center work on the monitoring and testing side. Used various monitoring and automation tools. Was trying to figure out what kind of work I could get with AWS CSA basically. Just want to be prepared for the future. Some people say get CCNA and then maybe go CCNA cloud or the VMware networking route but I don't know. Another side of me is saying get some scripting stuff down like Python and go the DevOps route since no matter what you do these days you may need to know a little code. I may be wrong on a lot of this but just thinking out loud.

DoubleNNs

I def personally think AWS + Scripting + Systems is more fun. And probably pays more.

However, I'm not too sure that there's much of a market for AWS certs, just yet. I know AWS is hot in NYC and the DMV. I see you're in LA, and I'd imagine it' be just as hot there too. However, I recently moved to Charlotte, NC and there's barely any desire for AWS skills here. In Charlotte, a CCNA and VMware skills would be much more marketable. (Unfortunately I don't have much of any Cisco or VMware cloud skills at the moment

)

Check your local market and see what there is a need for and make your decision based on that.

beach5563

Oh ok, yea I have been seeing a lot of AWS Solutions Architech and DevOps too. Actually SySOps too. I think if I could master a scripting language to go along with these I would be set. I have talked to a few recruiters that can hook me up if I get a couple of them. They recommend a scripting language and learning Docker too. It's weird but It seems that I would probably have a better chance of the AWS stuff than Cisco for some reason. I saw one AWS position paying 117,000 and they said you could work from home. I just called the guy and introduced myself and we talked for a while. He gave me a lot of good advice. I think if I can at least get AWS CSA and DevOps it's a good start. Just have to sort it out. I know I'm tired of the same ole same ole stuff I'm doing now.

beach5563

I think this is a pretty good article that says it all
Cloud Salaries Beating CCIE by Double

DoubleNNs

The thing w/ going the AWS route is you usually need to know a bunch of supplementary skills, including systems.

I think you should know some shell scripting and probably Python. Powershell if you're a Windows dude. Bash is you're a Linux dude. Python is one of the easiest multi-purpose language to learn is also very powerful and well supported. Using boto (boto3 is now the AWS supported Python SDK) you can script out almost all of your AWS tasks. You can also use provisioning and config management tools. Terraform is very popular at the moment for AWS infra as code.

Both some advice (tips on what to look into) and also a caution to take the above into account; you'll most likely need a BIT more than just an AWS cert to become marketable for cloud.

beach5563

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. That's pretty much what I was thinking, I mean if you are a network/telecom tech like me where do you start. It seems like a lot of those types of jobs are going away, not all of them but as technology changes certain jobs will be changes.
so basically I guess I have to prepare for the way things are evolving. It seems like no matter how you slice it Python is a good choice, even in some networking roles. It's one of those cross the board skills to have. I'm thinking of mastering that and maybe try to get some experience in it and then pursuing the AWS stuff. The only other path for me that makes sense on the networking side would be the VMware networking stuff maybe but I don't know how that would fit into the AWS world.

jaygilbert

Yeah, i am in the same boat. I am studying right now for the CSA and I've only used EC2 instances as external test beds for our enterprise software. It is awesome technology.

i am doing the UDEMY course with Ryan Kroonenburg. Only cost me $10. Totally worth it. also downloaded the SA EXAM app (google play store) for $20. Not sure if it is worth it yet, havent used it. Will soon when i buckle down for the test. Anywho, i am not here to push products to anyone.

I did some research, a lot of MSPs are looking for CSA's. I also noticed people without tech knowledge/background/career are jumping into the field? How? not sure. There are some articles on it. Out here in Silicon Valley, yes i know, they pay up the arse here, they are great salaries for AWS CSA. A lot of scripting and automation.

I come from a background of networking hardware, server hardware, microsoft/cisco shop, IT consulting, and all the like. I have a lot of experience in all that, deep experience too. I am currently 35% done with the course and turns out, i've learned a helluva lot, and figured out i didn't know sh1t about AWS! Now i feel more confident, but have a ways to go.

I've read the cloud+ book for COMPTIA cert, that was a while back though, sure it is outdated now, but it was a foundation book. I was referred to FAQs for different services of AWS are very helpful, but very dry. I will also pick up maybe an Azure book (for my own) and join some AWS forums, such as ACLOUD GURU, which is by Ryan Kroonenburg, but i am sure there are others. Pluralsight has lots of videos, but no labs. QWIK labs has some labs, but they can be pricey.

Startups are always looking for ways to save money and not spend an arm and a leg for hardware infrastructure and that is where AWS shines. Work at a start up of some sort gain the AWS experience on a smaller scale and that should help you finding a better AWS job, give you experience, and reinforce your career for the future.

AWS, AZURE, and Google Cloud computing are the future. Us hardware guys WILL be out of a job if we don't learn this stuff now. cloud computing is here to stay and it is blowing up! Learn something before you get left behind.

My only advantage i have with no formal cloud experience is knowing how to build the systems that will be hosted in the cloud and being able to create hybrid environments [on prem and cloud at the same daaamn time (chief keef)]

oh yeah one last thing. i spoke to a VAR we used to have and they were trying to push cisco meraki stuff on us. i was impressed with the new GUI they had for the equipment. i was then speaking to a newly certified CCIE on the line. I told him i did four webinars reviewing and seeing what meraki had to offer. the GUIs were very easy to navigate through and configure just about anything on wireless access point, firewall, and switch. i then said, if you can have boneheads be able to navigate and configure this stuff, then the only reason to have a CCIE is to be on staff at an managed service provider and give them the benefits of your certification. i told him, whats the point, you are pushing products that are making your certification useless and extinct. you wouldnt have to know the syntax or anything. you just point, click, or choose a radio button or drop down. he got quiet and then laughed. i said, well it is true. He was like well, we can do other things. i said, ok.

I agree, cloud architects are getting paid double of what CCIEs are getting. top salaries in washington state are 300k to 1 million bucks. ridiculous, google it!

jayc71

Like others have said, AWS is a very very very broad topic and does not really fit in with a networking engineering or systems engineering or development background completely. It's a combination of all of those.

A great things about AWS is the free tier, you can set up and play with just about any of the available tools for free (or extremely cheaply). I've been working with AWS heavily since 2012, it's grown a lot since then and I often find out about new services being offered and have to scramble to figure out what they are and how they work. So, when asking about getting into AWS without a lot of previous experience my opinion is that AWS will be a constant learning curve, so jump in wherever you're at and start learning. Find your niche and get good at it, you're never going to be an expert in "all" of AWS.