Becoming an Azure Guru: Get Skilled in Azure Part 2

Welcome back to our skilling series on how to become an Azure Guru, where we use Microsoft’s ramp-up guides and more resources to reach our certification goals and, delivering professional services to our Microsoft customers.

Many businesses have successfully used cloud computing to reap countless benefits. Companies no longer need to invest heavily in installing their own servers or renting servers from data centers. Consequently, cloud service providers have become prominent players in the computing industry which leads to our section on skilling, where we will cover skilling for developers, using Azure as their solution canvas since today’s competitive environment, the ability to quickly adapt and use innovative technologies can set a developer apart.

What do Azure Developers do?

They are in charge of creating and rolling out cloud-based services and applications. They're involved in every step of the development process, from planning and building to deploying, testing, and maintaining solutions. They collaborate closely with clients and other cloud professionals like solution architects, DBAs, and administrators to bring these solutions to life. They ensure everything works well together and can scale up as needed.

Azure developers manage fixing any issues that pop up after implementing or integrating different components. Developers team up with other operations groups to craft work plans that manage uncertainty, script the environment, and outline business needs. They carefully choose the right services to build effective user interfaces and systems for our customers.

Most who become developers, due to its increasing popularity, choose Microsoft Azure as the ideal platform to master.

How to become an Azure Developer?

Most aspiring developers don’t know where to begin. As daunting as it may sound, becoming an Azure developer is an exciting journey into the world of creating apps and solutions. Always keep in mind that no developer follows the same path for their learning path.

- To start, it's essential to have a strong foundation in programming languages and web development. Few languages to consider: JavaScript, Java, HTML, ASP.NET, and C#.

- You can also enroll in a coding bootcamp or earning a degree in computer engineering.

- Then, gaining firsthand experience in cloud computing is also crucial, as it will provide you with the practical skills needed for the job.

- Once you're comfortable with the basics, pursuing a certification like the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate can be a great next step. This certification requires proficiency in Azure SDK, data storage options, data connections, APIs, app authentication and authorization, compute, and container deployment, and debugging.

- It's recommended to have at least two years of professional development experience and familiarity with Azure-supported languages, Azure CLI, and Azure PowerShell.

With dedication and the right resources, you can build end-to-end solutions in Azure and kickstart your career as an Azure developer.

Which learning path do I adopt to become and Azure Developer?

The Microsoft Azure Developer certification is perfect for Azure developers who primarily focus on planning, developing, testing, and supporting cloud solutions like services and applications. This certification is best suited for candidates skilled at creating services, applications, maintaining security, storage, and communication using the Azure cloud platform.

Passing the Microsoft Azure Developer certification (AZ-204) is key to be eligible for the Azure Developer Associate. Top perquisites are:

- You should have a solid understanding of IT operations, data management, and data security basics.

- A minimum of one year of experience in developing scalable solutions.

- Being well-versed in the basic concepts of Azure development and DevOps.

- You need to be skilled in at least one cloud-supported programming language.

Further Certifications to consider:

- AZ-900 - Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals: This certification is tailored for those new to cloud computing and Azure, making it an excellent starting point for building a foundational understanding of the platform. The AZ-900 exam covers essential topics such as cloud concepts, basic Azure services, solutions, and administration tools. It evaluates your knowledge of service level agreements, Azure cost management, and both general and network security. This certification is ideal for beginners in the Azure ecosystem and lays a strong foundation for further specialization.

- AZ-204 - Microsoft Certified Azure Developer: This certification demonstrates the holder's extensive knowledge of computing solutions like Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and Function-as-a-Service (FaaS). It ensures that the holder can create and managing Azure storage. The Azure Developer Associate certification is aimed at individuals with a deep understanding of Azure's computing solutions, including PaaS, IaaS, and FaaS.

- AZ-400 - Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer: The DevOps Engineer Expert certification is designed for seasoned DevOps professionals and isn't exclusive to Azure developers. It encompasses a broad array of skills and knowledge related to DevOps practices. This certification showcases your capability to develop instrumentation and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) strategies, implement security and compliance plans, manage source control, and handle hybrid cloud workloads.

Microsoft Learn provides free certification renewal services. The certification is valid for one year, and the renewal period begins six months before it expires. You have a limited window before the certificate's expiration to complete a free online assessment, which will extend the certification by one year from its current expiration date. Do prepare well in advance for any of the certifications to make sure your chances of achieving a good exam result.

Stay tuned for further Blogs in this series as we cover other professions in Azure and feel free to contact your Surestep Ambassador team for more information on how to skill your team for best customer support at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..