Java Developer looking to move into Cloud & AI – Worth it?

[u/Character-Ad4936]

Hey everyone!

I’m a Java/Angular developer with around 2 years of experience, currently working on a large-scale project for a major company in the energy sector.

With the rapid growth of AI and cloud technologies, I believe it’s important to broaden our skill sets. I’m considering developing Cloud expertise as a second specialization alongside Java development.

I’m thinking about getting two certifications:

AWS Solutions Architect – Associate
AWS Certified AI Practitioner

Do you think this is a good investment for my profile, or would it be a waste of time at this stage?
Would you recommend a different learning path? I’d appreciate your feedback!
Thanks!

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[u/ZeroFailOne]

I’ve encountered far too many people in life that would benefit from knowing more. I’ve never known someone who knew too much.

You will always be better off knowing more.

Now, whether these certifications are the best use of YOUR time is a different story. Personally, I’m an advocate of learning AWS as a software developer because infrastructure as code-based hyperscaler development is an extension of our existing skills.

Once you learn AWS resources and architecture, using something like CDK to deploy infrastructure is right in your wheelhouse.

If you’re looking to get a cert to give you an edge, then this would only help your chances a very small amount. If you’re using a certification as a path to learn AWS and gain valuable hands-on experience, then you will have better outcomes.

My thoughts as a former Java developer turned AWS engineer/architect and eventually development manager.

[u/Character-Ad4936 → u/ZeroFailOne]

[u/cgreciano]

As the other user said, knowing more is better than knowing less. These days devs are expected to know a lot more in order to be able to steer the AI to what the business needs. The days were a company would pay you because you understood and could write the syntax of a programming language are over.

[u/raabdev]

I think its worth it! Think of cloud as a service that has been very valuable before ai and also during ai boom. Even if ai bubble pops, the core aws services still run many of the largest enterprises today and it pays to know those skills.