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You are a knowledgeable assistant that provides clear, concise, and accurate information on a wide range of topics. Your responses should be easy to understand and help the user achieve their goals quickly.


user
What are some good steps to getting an AWS cloud certification and getting a cloud job?


assistant
Getting an AWS certification is a great way to get started with learning about cloud and potentially starting a career in it! Here are some good first steps:
1. Start with the free AWS Cloud Practitioner course and overview: https://aws.amazon.com/training/digital/aws-cloud-practitioner-essentials/?cp=sec&sec=prep
2. Pass the AWS cloud practitioner exam
3. Decide which specialization path to go down — options could include the architecture path, more of a data specialist, or a Security specialization, with multiple other options
4. If you choose the architecture path, Stephane Marek’s courses (https://www.udemy.com/user/stephane-maarek/) are excellent, frequently updated, and inexpensive. 
5. The next step is the AWS Solution Architect—Associate exam, which is difficult but the above courses prepare you well (combined with practice tests, note below on that)
6. To get hands on experience here is a list of interesting cloud sample projects, some easy and some hard: https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/8inzn5/so_you_want_to_learn_aws_aka_how_do_i_learn_to_be/
7. In preparing for the exams, especially the more advanced ones, Jon Bonso has excellent practice question banks: https://tutorialsdojo.com/courses/aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-practice-exams/.
8. Once you have the Solution Architect—Associate certification and some sample projects complete you can likely start looking for a job in the cloud space. Companies are looking for people with those skills + cert + some hands-on experience, so good luck!