Education

How to Become a Cloud Engineer in 2025 (Step-by-Step Roadmap)

📚 Main topics

Set realistic expectationsBecoming a cloud engineer usually takes more than three months; many people first gain experience in entry-level or stepping-stone roles. Consistency and hands-on effort matter more than shortcuts. 0:00
Choose a cloud providerAWS, GCP, and Azure skills are transferable, though their services and interfaces differ. AWS is suggested as a starting point for its job opportunities and free tier. 1:02
Build IT fundamentalsDevelop skills in operating systems, networking, security, databases, virtualization, containers, programming, and AI and machine learning. 1:34
Research target roles and toolsCompare job descriptions to identify common skills and knowledge gaps, then build projects to address them. Tools to explore include Terraform, GitHub Actions, and Git. 7:13
Document and share projectsKeep records of your work, including explanations and screenshots, and share projects online to demonstrate your skills and connect with people in the industry. 9:46
Treat credentials as optional supportCertifications and degrees can help when jobs require them, but practical experience and projects should remain the priority. 12:20
Apply strategicallyTailor your resume, prepare to discuss your projects, use your professional network, and go beyond one-click applications. 13:21

✨ Key takeaways

Learn by doingPair theory with hands-on projects to build practical skills, gain confidence, and learn from mistakes. 3:38
Include automation and collaboration skillsScripting with Python or Bash, working with APIs, using Git, and understanding CI/CD can support cloud engineering work. 5:41
Use job descriptions to guide learningIdentify the skills employers repeatedly request, then focus your projects on any gaps you find. 7:13
Build an online presenceSharing useful project documentation can help recruiters discover your work and help you develop industry connections. 10:17
Expect a challenging job searchApplications and interviews can involve rejection and take time; the video cites 100–200 applications as a typical range and an average hiring process of about 36 days. 13:21

🧠 Lessons learned

Build security in from the startUnderstand identity and access management, encryption, and secure network traffic as core parts of cloud work. 4:09
Strengthen your technical foundationGet comfortable with Linux commands, files and permissions, processes, IP addressing, subnets, routing, DNS, VPNs, databases, virtual machines, and Docker. 2:05
Keep learning while applyingStart applying when appropriate, but continue building projects and updating your skills throughout the job search. 16:28
Learn from setbacksRejections, interviews, and project challenges can all provide useful feedback for improving your approach. 15:57

🏁 Conclusion/next steps

Join cloud communitiesFind peers who can offer advice, support, and motivation as you learn and apply for roles. 15:57
Stay adaptable and persistentConsider stepping-stone roles, keep developing your skills, and remember that each person’s path into cloud engineering can look different. 16:28

Transcript excerpt

0:00 Before we start this video, I could give you this clickbait intro saying if you follow this road map step by step, you're going to land a job in 3 months and you're going to be paid $200,000. It's going to be great. I just want to set realistic expectations with you because I hate talking to students who have seen all of these videos online telling them that they can land a job in 3 months and that cloud engineering will be their first role in tech. The odds are it probably won't. the odds are it will probably take longer than three months and it's going to take maybe one

0:30 to three years. Now, what I mean by this is that a cloud engineer role is one that takes experience. So, you're likely going to have to land entry-level roles or roles that lead up to this to help you gain experience. It's not going to be the one you get right off the bat. Unless you have contacts or referrals or people who can get you into a position to help land this role. But in saying that, I have seen students within our community follow this road map and land jobs as a cloud engineer that are paying three times what they were earning before by putting in the hard work. In my opinion, success comes from

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