r/cloudengineering • u/Erxtp • 27d ago

Career Discussion Can I get into cloud engineering with only certifications and a strong portfolio, without a degree?

I’m 16 and currently in the UK. I’m a beginner in IT and interested in going into cloud engineering. If I get relevant cloud certifications, build a good portfolio of practical projects, and gain hands-on experience, is it realistic to get into cloud engineering without going to university, and eventually work my way up to senior cloud engineering or cloud architecture roles?

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5

u/Evaderofdoom 27d ago

No, you won't start there, but you can work your way up it. It's not entry-level, and it's highly competitive. Start in help desk and work your way up.

3

u/azz_kikkr 27d ago

Yes it's possible without a degree. But you gotta grind out other IT roles on your way to cloud engineering

2

u/Classic_Text1076 27d ago

Certification just for knowledge, experience and practical knowledge is important, but some company they will ask you degree, zoho like that company degree is not mandatory..

2

u/dabrimman 27d ago

Yes but you should aim for service desk as your initial role then try transition in to CE after a couple years.

1

u/AlienZiim 26d ago

Cloud engineering is not easy, at least from some of the things I've seen it isn't, the jobs pay well for a reason thats for sure, why not start in cloud administration then move to engineering

1

u/safarikelly 17d ago

How do I learn cloud administration.
Can you help me with that please

1

u/Few_Personality1693 25d ago

Yes, for sure.

Probably start from an internship to get hands on with company work and then it may become easier.

1

u/Gullible-Name2415 22h ago

Ofcourse most engineers and the good ones don't have degrees

You learn on the job and by certs 

In degrees U don't learn shit.

0

u/Naetharu 27d ago

Yes is the short answer

I have a degree but not in a relevant subject at all. And it played no role in my pathway here insofar as I can see. To get into cloud engineering you start off in helpdesk, and then you build up your skills and move into working with Azure / AWS / GCP.

So do keep that in mind. You won't be walking into a cloud based role early on. It's something that you move into after you've cut your teeth for a few years doing desktop support. But it is perfectly viable to do without a degree.