What AWS certification should I get first?

AWS, or Amazon Web Services, is a cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services to businesses and individuals. As more and more companies move their operations to the cloud, there is an increasing demand for professionals with AWS expertise. AWS offers various certifications that can help individuals demonstrate their skills and knowledge in using AWS services. But which AWS certification should you get first? In this article, we will discuss the various AWS certifications and provide guidance on which certification to pursue first.

AWS offers five certification levels: Foundational, Associate, Professional, Specialty, and Certification Specialty. Each level covers a range of topics and services within the AWS platform, and each has its own prerequisites and requirements. The Foundational level is the starting point, followed by Associate, Professional, and Specialty levels.

Foundational Level:
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is the foundational level of AWS certification. This certification is designed for individuals who have a basic understanding of AWS services and cloud computing concepts. It covers basic AWS services, such as EC2, S3, and RDS, as well as billing and pricing models, security, and compliance. The certification is an excellent starting point for beginners, and it is recommended for individuals who are new to AWS and cloud computing.

Associate Level:
The AWS Associate level certifications include AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Developer, and AWS Certified SysOps Administrator. These certifications are designed for individuals who have some experience working with AWS services and want to demonstrate their proficiency in designing, deploying, and operating applications on AWS. The certifications cover a range of topics, such as designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems, implementing security controls, and optimizing performance. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification is the most popular of the three and is recommended for individuals who want to become AWS architects.

Professional Level:
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer and AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional are the two professional-level certifications offered by AWS. These certifications are designed for individuals who have extensive experience working with AWS services and want to demonstrate their expertise in designing and managing highly available, fault-tolerant, and scalable systems. The certifications cover topics such as implementing continuous integration and delivery, monitoring and logging systems, and optimizing performance. These certifications are recommended for individuals who have worked with AWS for several years and want to advance their careers in cloud computing.

Specialty Level:
The AWS Specialty level certifications include AWS Certified Advanced Networking, AWS Certified Security, AWS Certified Machine Learning, AWS Certified Database, and AWS Certified Data Analytics. These certifications are designed for individuals who have expertise in specific areas of AWS services and want to demonstrate their proficiency in these areas. These certifications cover a range of topics, such as designing and implementing network solutions, managing data warehouses, and implementing machine learning algorithms. These certifications are recommended for individuals who have experience working with specific AWS services and want to specialize in a particular area.

Certification Specialty:
AWS Certification Specialty is a new certification level introduced by AWS. These certifications are designed to validate an individual’s specialized technical skills and experience in a specific technology domain. The certifications cover various topics such as cloud security, machine learning, big data, and blockchain. AWS offers six Certification Specialty certifications: AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder, AWS Certified Security, AWS Certified Advanced Networking, AWS Certified Machine Learning, AWS Certified Database, and AWS Certified Data Analytics. These certifications are recommended for individuals who have expertise in a specific area and want to demonstrate their skills.

In conclusion, choosing the right AWS certification depends on your experience and career goals. If you are new to AWS, start with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification. If you have some experience working with AWS services, pursue an Associate level certification. If you have extensive experience working with AWS services and want to advance your career, pursue a Professional or Specialty level certification.