u/mr_xouser

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice from people already working in cloud / IT, and also from those who started out with certifications.

I just passed AZ-104 two days ago, after previously earning AZ-900, and I’m currently trying to figure out my next steps. I have zero professional IT experience, but I do have a Bachelor’s degree and I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Cybersecurity.

My goal is to build a career in cloud , ideally starting as soon as possible.

So I’d really appreciate your guidance on the following:

1. What certification would you recommend next (Microsoft or otherwise)?
2. What entry-level roles should I realistically target with my current profile?
3. Based on today’s job market, should I focus more on cloud administration, cloud security, DevOps, or another direction?
4. What can I do right now to stand out without experience (projects, home labs, GitHub, volunteering, etc.)?

For anyone who started with certifications before landing their first IT job, I’d especially like to hear:

• What helped you land your first role?
• What would you do differently if you were starting today?

Thanks a lot for any advice or personal experiences.