Cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing technologies today. And with this growth, the demand for cloud professionals is also growing. Microsoft Azure is one of the leading cloud services platforms, with a market share of 23% in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to Statista.
This statistic alone can show that there is a growing demand for certified Azure professionals. With more and more companies adopting Microsoft Azure, the demand for Azure professionals will continue growing. And a Microsoft Azure certification can help you become a part of this lucrative career and allow you to show your expertise.
Read on to find out how Microsoft certifications can help you in your journey as an IT professional and the different levels of certifications.
What is Microsoft Azure certification?
A Microsoft Azure certification validates your knowledge and expertise in different Azure services. There are three levels of Azure certifications: fundamental, associate, and expert. Apart from this, Microsoft also offers speciality certifications tailored to cover a specific domain. All the Microsoft Azure certifications require you to pass an exam. The cost of the certifications can fall under $99 to $165.
How to prepare for Azure certifications?
To prepare for a Microsoft Azure certification, the first step is to review your expertise and skills. This will help you decide which level of certification you should pursue. Once enrolled in the certification, you can either choose self-study or instructor-led training Microsoft Azure Certification Training. If you study better with a group, go for the instructor-led training option.
You can also do the practice exams offered by Microsoft to test your knowledge and exam readiness. If you feel you require in-depth training, you can also go for online training. Many companies provide excellent training programs. The key to selecting the right one is to read their reviews.
Why should you invest in Microsoft certifications?
Wondering why you should invest in Microsoft certifications? It is a fair thought to have, considering you will be spending your time and resources on the certification. Here are the reasons that may convince you that Microsoft certifications are worth investing in.
- According to Microsoft, 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Microsoft Azure, which means being an Azure professional may come in handy, while applying to these companies.
- A Microsoft Azure certification validates your knowledge and expertise in Azure. It assures potential employers that you can bring value to the organization.
- The best Microsoft certifications can help you advance your career, get a better salary, and open doors to new opportunities.
- Having a certification in your resume helps you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting hired against other candidates.
- Getting a Microsoft certification requires hard work and sincerity. Therefore, it is also proof of your hard work and dedication to employers and potential employers.
- Certifications also help you improve your skills. You get hands-on experience with Azure and learn from the best in the industry.
- Certifications are regularly updated. Therefore, getting a certification also helps you stay updated with the latest trends and updates in the industry.
What are the career prospects after an Azure certification?
The demand for Microsoft Azure professionals will continue to grow in the future. Therefore, the prospects for Azure professionals are bright. Here are the career paths you can take after getting an Azure certification:
- AI Engineer
- DevOps Engineer
- Cloud Developer
- Data Scientist
- Data Engineer
- Security Engineer
- Cloud Administrator
- Solutions Architect
- Functional Consultant
- Cloud Solutions Architect
Microsoft Azure certifications also open up a lot of senior roles, including cloud sales and purchase manager, Azure big data specialist, and cloud account manager.
Read More: Microsoft Azure Explained: What It Is and Why It Matters
What are the levels of certifications?
Microsoft has three levels of certifications, along with a few specialty certifications. Here is a list of the best Microsoft certifications.
Fundamental
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamental (AZ-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)
- Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
- Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300)
Expert
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
- Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)
Specialty
- Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220)
- Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420)
- Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140)
- Azure for SAP Workload Specialty (AZ-120)
- Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty (AZ-720)
Conclusion
Microsoft Azure is one of the fastest-growing cloud services, right behind AWS. This means the demand for Azure-certified professionals is also high. Whether you are a beginner or an IT professional, getting a Microsoft Azure certification can help you take your career to a new level. You can consider enrolling on a training course to prepare for the certification exam and ace it in one go.
