Cloud computing can feel like a vast, intimidating sky of services, acronyms, and vendor names. If you’ve been staring at a search bar wondering, “How do I even start?” — you’re not alone. The good news: the path to becoming cloud-fluent is well-worn, and communities like Reddit and LinkedIn have shared clear, practical roadmaps.
We’ve distilled the best advice from seasoned professionals to give you a five-step plan that skips the fluff and goes straight to the hands-on learning you need to land a well-paying role. This guide is built for beginners (students, career-changers) and focuses on free or low-cost resources.
Why Learn Cloud Computing?
The demand for cloud computing jobs is skyrocketing. As of 2025, LinkedIn lists over 140,000 open cloud roles in the U.S. alone — ranging from Cloud Engineer and DevOps Engineer to Cloud Architect and Security Specialist. According to Coursera, the average cloud professional salary in the U.S. is around $101,000 per year, with entry-level roles starting near $73,000 and senior engineers earning $120,000+. Certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals often serve as stepping stones to these high-demand positions, especially for beginners breaking into tech.
On the business side, nearly 94% of companies worldwide now use cloud services, from startups to global enterprises. Tech giants such as Netflix, Airbnb, and Coca-Cola run much of their infrastructure on AWS, while Starbucks, HSBC, and the NHS rely on Microsoft Azure. Google Cloud continues to grow fast, particularly in AI and data analytics. This widespread adoption ensures that cloud computing isn’t a niche skill—it’s a core pillar of modern business and one of the most profitable, future-proof career paths in tech today.
So, let’s get started!
Step 1: Pick a Vendor, Any Vendor (The “Big Three” Rule)
The first step is to stop trying to learn all the clouds at once. You need a home base. The industry is dominated by the Big Three: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Why the “Big Three”?
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds the largest share of the global cloud infrastructure market.
- Microsoft Azure is strong in enterprise/Windows-centric shops and widely used by large organizations.
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is gaining traction (especially in data, AI) and is a great option if those interest you.
- Together, these three providers control roughly 63% of the global cloud infrastructure market share.
- More than 94% of companies worldwide are already using cloud services in some form.
Choose one and focus on their core fundamentals. The concepts you learn on one platform—like virtual machines, networking, and security groups—are directly transferable to the others. Which one should you pick?
- AWS is the market leader with the most services.
- Azure is popular in enterprise environments, especially those already using Microsoft products.
- GCP is known for its strengths in data and AI.
Regardless of your choice, all three offer generous Free Tiers that allow you to build and experiment without spending money (just be sure to monitor your usage!).
Step 2: The Golden Rule: Go Hands-On
Reading documentation helps, but if you can’t deploy a service, you don’t really know the cloud.
“Forget passive video watching. … Seek out resources that offer sandboxed labs or guided exercises…” (paraphrased from expert community advice)
What to do
- Use the free-tiers that all major clouds offer (AWS Free Tier, Azure free account, GCP Free Tier) and set up your own playground.
- Use guided labs:
- For GCP: free courses + labs via Google Cloud Skills Boost.
- For Azure: Microsoft Learn structured paths with interactive labs.
- For AWS: AWS Skill Builder + free tier + sandbox environments.
- Experiment with real services: deploy a VM, set up networking, create a storage bucket, set permissions, build a simple web-app in the cloud.
- Don’t just click the buttons. Ask: why did I choose this service? What role does it play in a larger application? “This. … The sandboxes from A Cloud Guru are a godsend. … it frees you up to really tinker without worry.”
Why this matters
Hands-on experience not only reinforces your learning, but in job interviews you’ll be able to say you’ve built things—not just memorized terms. Employers often value this above just theory.
Step 3: Lay the Foundational IT Knowledge
Before you master the cloud, you need a solid understanding of what it’s built on. Think of this as your cloud literacy:
The most crucial foundational skill is Linux.
Why Linux? Because the vast majority of virtual machines and containers running in the cloud use a flavor of Linux. Professionals on the Reddit thread stressed the importance of knowing:
- Networking: Understanding IP addresses, DNS, and ports.
- Sysadmin (System Administration): How to manage services, file systems, and user permissions from the command line.
- Security: Basic concepts of firewalls, encryption, and access control.
- Scripting and automation: Even a simple script (bash, Python) to automate tasks makes you stand out.
- DevOps mindset (optional but helpful): CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code (IaC), monitoring & optimization.
Why you need it
If you go to learn cloud services without knowing how a server, network, or OS works, many tutorials will feel like black boxes. With foundational IT skills, you understand why something is done, not just how.
People new to cloud often find this path helpful: start in a help-desk, sysadmin or junior Linux role, then transition into cloud.
Step 4: Chase That First Certification Strategically
Certifications are not the goal by themselves—but they can be a structured milestone and a signal to employers that you’re serious.
Entry-level certifications worth pursuing
- Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP)
- Google Cloud Certified Cloud Digital Leader (CDL)
- Vendor-neutral options (if available)
According to a Reddit thread:
“AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is definitely worth it, especially as a fresh grad diving into cloud computing.”
How to approach certification
- Use the certification as a study goal, not just a badge. Learning matters more than the certificate.
- Leverage free or inexpensive resources: many official study guides and video courses are free or low cost.
- Combine study with your hands-on practice: for example, while preparing for AZ-900, build some resources in Azure so you understand what you’re studying.
- Once you finish one, don’t stop — begin thinking of your next level (for example Azure Administrator AZ-104, AWS Solutions Architect Associate) but only after you’ve built some experience.
Why certification matters
- It helps your resume get past filters and in front of hiring managers.
- It shows you have discipline, a baseline of knowledge, and a commitment to the field.
- It can boost your credibility when you don’t yet have years of experience.
Step 5: Leverage Free Learning and Student Resources
You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on courses before you’ve built the basics. Many high-quality resources are free or very low cost.
Where to look
- Official documentation: It’s dense and sometimes dry, but it’s the definitive source. Get comfortable navigating it.
- YouTube: Plenty of free beginner-friendly tutorials, certification prep channels, live demos.
- Student / student-affiliated programs: If you’re a college student check if you have access to free cloud credits (through your university), GitHub Student Developer Pack, etc.
- Community forums and groups: Reddit, Stack Overflow, LinkedIn groups. Ask questions, advertise your practice projects, learn from others.
- Sandboxes / labs: Where you can practice without worry of cost or breaking things; e.g., AWS Skill Builder sandbox, Azure sandbox labs, GCP Qwiklabs.
Why go this route
- Minimizes your financial risk while you’re still exploring and building foundational skills.
- Builds good habits: self-learning, curiosity, experimentation—which are critical in cloud computing where things evolve quickly.
- Sets you up to invest in paid resources later (courses, bootcamps) when you have specific goals.
Putting It All Together: Your 90-Day Beginner Roadmap
Here’s a suggested 3-month plan to get you going:
| Week(s) | Focus | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1–2 | Choose your vendor & set up account | Select AWS or Azure or GCP; create free account; explore console; follow “intro to cloud” tutorial. |
| Week 3–4 | Build fundamentals | Practice Linux basics, networking basics (IP, DNS, VPC/subnet), system administration. |
| Week 5–6 | Hands-on mini project | Deploy a simple VM, create a storage bucket, set up basic web server, secure it. |
| Week 7–8 | Certification prep & deeper services | Choose a certification (e.g., AZ-900 or AWS Cloud Practitioner); follow study guide + labs. |
| Week 9–10 | Expand skills & build a showcase | Add a second service (e.g., serverless function, containers, or database in the cloud); document your project. |
| Week 11–12 | Networking & job readiness | Update your LinkedIn/Resume with your project; join cloud-communities (Reddit, LinkedIn groups); apply for entry-level roles; prepare to learn next level. |
Final Thoughts
Your journey into cloud computing is a marathon, not a sprint. If you start with one vendor, commit to hands-on labs, and back it all up with a foundational understanding of Linux and networking, you’ll transform that overwhelming “cloud sky” into a clear path toward a rewarding new career.
Don’t worry if you don’t know everything right away—everyone starts somewhere. The difference is that you did start. Keep iterating, keep building, and the momentum will carry you.
Good luck — and welcome to the cloud!
Further Reading: Cloud vs Cybersecurity Certifications: Which Opens More Doors?
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