Technological advancement has led to an increase in technology related jobs across the globe. IT and communication industry is rising at a fast pace and thus building career in this field is ideal. One of the hottest trends in IT today is cloud computing.

Cloud computing enable users to store and access data over the internet servers instead of the computer’s hard drive. By keeping yourself updated with the latest trends in IT, you can further your chances of a better job and higher salaries with improved professional growth.

Since 2011, the demand for public cloud services has grown more than 20%, clearly indicating how cloud computing has become an important IT service. According to International Data Corporation, cloud computing will be responsible for generation of nearly 14 million jobs between 2012 to 2015. This shows that there are many opportunities to pursue and make a career in cloud computing.

Some of the roles that you can pursue within the field of cloud computing include;

-Infrastructure engineer
-Software developer
-Software consultant
-Systems architect
-Technical support

Skills and Experience

In order to be able to work within the field of cloud computing, certain kinds of exposure or experience is required, especially in one of the bigger cloud computing service providers. Even experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware, or running servers, infrastructures, etc. can also be fruitful. Knowledge of a particular cloud service can also be helpful.

Apart from professional experience, qualifications and skills required include;

-Business Skills
-Financial Skills
-Technical Skills
-Enterprise Architecture and Business Management
-Project Management Skills
-Data Integration and Analysis Skills
-Mobile App Development Knowledge
-Security Protocol Knowledge
-Computing Skills: Knowledge of Linux Operating System, Python, SaaS programming, Ajax, Puppet (IT automation software), Shell Scripting and Perl.
-Teamwork and Problem-solving skills. 

Job Titles 

Cloud computing spans across a wide variety of IT related fields including, data storage and use, cloud network infrastructure, applications scaling, operation and maintenance of cloud based services. Since there are no standardized positions, you will come across new positions. Some of the common jobs commonly posted by employers include;

-SaaS (software as a service) Developer
-Cloud Security Engineers
-Web Services Systems Engineer
-Programmers (with knowledge in scripting languages such as Python and Hadoop and data management language SQL)
-DevOps Engineers 

New Roles 

New roles are evolving as cloud computing bears a stronghold on the IT industry. Apart from the IT and computing related jobs, there are many other jobs which can be pursued within the realm of cloud computing. For example, companies hire consultants and contractors who aide in the planning and execution of transition to the cloud. After transition too, an administrative team is formed which helps in cloud environment maintenance.

Colleges Offering Cloud Computing Courses

There are several colleges and universities offering a course in Cloud Computing and its related subjects. Some of the best ones include;

–Harvard University: Teaches about the important API’s used by Amazon and Microsoft Clouds.

–University of California, Berkley: Helps in the better understanding of cloud computing and its application.

–Princeton University: Cloud computing course with special attention to enabling hardware to thwart attacks, multicore security, secure cloud storage etc.

–University of Chicago: This course focuses on topics concerning the operating system.

–SEED Infotech Ltd. Mumbai: It is a full time diploma course and covers topics such as DNS on Internet, Active Drectory components etc.

–Newcastle University, UK: It is a 12 month full time Master’s program. The course provides the right skills and expertise to design and build internet infrastructure and also develop various applications.

–University of Leicester: An MSc program, it focuses on basics of software engineering principles and also understanding its practical use.

Employers are seeking professionals who not just possess the required technical skills, but also possess soft skills and problem solving skills along with a sound knowledge of business operations. Thus, for any candidate to pursue a career in cloud computing, overall knowledge is important.