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Cloud Engineer

Build and run the servers, networks and storage on AWS, Azure or GCP.

awsinfrastructurelinuxdevops
Start with: STEM Foundations: The Universal Skill StackTake the career survey

Career facts

Preparation
Considerable preparation needed · most need a bachelor's degree
Ways in
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Industry certification
  • Portfolio of projects
Field
Software, data & cyber

About this career

Cloud engineers set up the virtual machines, networks, storage and managed services an application runs on, and automate how they are created and changed. They write infrastructure as code with tools such as Terraform, script in Python or Bash, and monitor cost, security and uptime. Many start with a computer science degree or a cloud provider certification plus Linux experience.

Learning path

Take these courses in order, from beginner to mid-level.

  1. Step 1: STEM Foundations: The Universal Skill Stack

    The shared base every STEM career uses: working with numbers and units, testing ideas fairly, handling data and code, and explaining your work.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 18mAlso used in 34 other careers

  2. Step 2: Digital Literacy for Tech & STEM Work

    The everyday computer, internet, safety and AI skills every tech and STEM job assumes you already have.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 6h 8mAlso used in 34 other careers

  3. Step 3: Professional Communication & Teamwork

    Write clear emails and documents, present and run meetings, work well on teams, and navigate résumés, interviews and networking.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 24mAlso used in 34 other careers

  4. Step 4: Math for Tech & STEM

    The practical math behind tech and STEM work: numbers, algebra, functions, geometry, logic and counting, with short code exercises.

    Level: Beginner5 modules · 15 lessons · 7h 32mAlso used in 34 other careers

  5. Step 5: Git & the Command Line

    Use the terminal with confidence, track your work with Git, and collaborate on GitHub with pull requests.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 57mAlso used in 15 other careers

  6. Step 6: Python Fundamentals

    Learn to program in Python from zero: values, decisions, loops, functions, data structures, files, modules and a small data project.

    Level: Beginner5 modules · 15 lessons · 9h 53mAlso used in 22 other careers

  7. Step 7: Networking Fundamentals

    Learn how data moves between computers: layers, IP addresses and subnets, ports, DNS, DHCP, HTTPS, and the tools to troubleshoot it.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 11mAlso used in 8 other careers

  8. Step 8: Foundations for Software, Data, Design & Tech Education Careers

    Understand tech roles and career ladders, pick a realistic learning route, build portfolio evidence, and navigate postings, interviews and your first 90 days.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 7h 22mAlso used in 20 other careers

  9. Step 9: Cybersecurity Fundamentals

    Think like a defender: network attack surface, threat modeling, the OWASP Top 10, core controls, identity, cryptography, frameworks and the rules of ethical testing.

    Level: Intermediate4 modules · 12 lessons · 5h 50mAlso used in 4 other careers

  10. Step 10: Linux Administration

    Run a Linux server with confidence: users and permissions, services, packages, logs, SSH keys, bash scripts and scheduled jobs.

    Level: Intermediate3 modules · 9 lessons · 10h 12mAlso used in 6 other careers

  11. Step 11: Cloud Fundamentals

    Learn how the public cloud works: service models, regions, shared responsibility, compute, storage, networking, IAM, secrets and cost control, using free tiers only.

    Level: Intermediate3 modules · 10 lessons · 5h 57mAlso used in 3 other careers

  12. Step 12: DevOps & Cloud Delivery

    Ship and run cloud software safely: containers, CI/CD pipelines, Terraform with cost guardrails, SLOs, alerting and incident response.

    Level: Mid-level4 modules · 12 lessons · 8h 11mAlso used in 1 other career

Skills you'll build

Cloud Fundamentals

Core concepts of cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure): compute, storage, networking, IAM.

Command Line

The terminal — how programmers automate tasks and run tools without a graphical UI.

Networking

How computers talk to each other — TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP. Required for any backend or security role.

Docker

Containerization tool that packages applications so they run the same everywhere.

Security Fundamentals

Authentication, authorization, encryption, common attack patterns. Defense in depth.

Git

The version-control tool every software team uses to track and merge changes.

Free resources to get started

Hand-picked courses and reading from trusted free providers.

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