As small companies and big organizations are moving towards cloud computing, it has become one of the most in-demand market trends. However, among numerous cloud computing providers, AWS remains the industry leader in this market. 

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a platform that provides a collection of on-demand cloud computing services that can be used personally and for professional use. With AWS, organizations use web services to build scalable applications to give their business features, including analytics services, messaging services, storage services, content delivery management systems, database management, payments services, development, and management tools. 

AWS is the market leader in cloud computing because of three reasons –

• It is economical for companies and organizations.
• It is more secure because AWS has many data centers that are monitored and maintained at all times.
• It is scalable as its offering is different for each business.

The demand for AWS professionals is high since companies such as Netflix, General Electric, and NASA rely on cloud computing services. By 2022, the costs spent on public cloud services will grow to $216 billion, shows a forecast by Statista. If you are an IT professional looking to work in the cloud computing industry, acquiring AWS certifications is the right place to start. The first certification by AWS was introduced in 2013. Now, there are various certifications offered by AWS based on specific roles. Currently, AWS provides 12 certifications – 

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty (DAS-C01)
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty
• AWS Certified Database – Specialty (DBS-C01)
• AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty

Here are the top reasons to take up AWS certification courses –

1. Cloud computing is here to stay – Emerging trends show that cloud computing is the future as technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence have driven a push to it. Since cloud computing is the need of the hour and AWS is the market leader, the demand and job opportunities for professionals who hold AWS certifications are incredibly high. 
2. Affordable – There are lots of cloud computing certifications available in the market. However, as compared to these, AWS certifications cost less and hence, are more affordable. With AWS certifications, individuals don’t need to leave their current job if they are working. They can pursue the AWS Solution Architect and the AWS Developer Certifications while working. By achieving these certifications, they can also get promoted in their current organization.
3. Gives your resume an edge – As the cloud computing industry grows every year, professionals in the industry need to pursue certifications to keep up with the constant changes in the industry and stay relevant in their jobs. Also, getting AWS certifications distinguishes your resume and makes you stand out among your peers. By acquiring AWS certifications, you can stay ahead as the competition is only growing further.
4. High-paying jobs – AWS certifications rank high on the list of certificates that pave the way for high-paying jobs. For example, professionals holding AWS certifications, such as the AWS Certified Developer – Associate and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, earn an average salary of $114,148 and $121,292 every year, respectively.
5. In high demand – There is a high demand for AWS certifications in the market. In 2020, four AWS certifications were featured in the top 10 IT certifications that IT professionals want to pursue. Hence, by acquiring these in-demand certifications, you can gain a solid professional position, and your job performance would also be enhanced.
6. Learning resources – There are many learning resources available for professionals who want to take an AWS exam. For example, you can refer to books and forums and opt for live coaching or online courses to prepare for AWS certification online.
7. Specialty certifications – AWS also offers specialty certifications such as security, machine learning, and networking. Hence, professionals can pursue these specialty certificates to learn new aspects of the platform and improve their skill set. To give the specialty exams, professionals need to give one of the core associate exams.
8. Increased job effectiveness – IT professionals have observed that there was an increase in their job effectiveness after acquiring AWS certifications. Their quality of work improved and their job performance was faster. All these factors lead to increased productivity and quicker troubleshooting in a company.
9. Eligible for subject matter expert program – AWS has a subject matter expert (SME) program wherein qualified professionals can attend different workshops and assist in the exam development process. Hence, they get an opportunity to gain more insight into feature sets and AWS services. Adding this to your resume will also give you an edge over your competitors.
10. Showcasing commitment – Having AWS certifications showcases your commitment. Clients and customers can rely on professionals who have undergone rigorous training to be qualified to work as AWS professionals, hence building trust and credibility.
11. Benefits for the organization – Having AWS certifications is beneficial not just for professionals but also for their organizations. If an organization has many AWS-certified employees, it can become eligible for different tiers of the AWS partner program. This allows the organization to be designated as an AWS partner and access various resources and training to support its customers. With each tier, the organization can unlock more significant benefits.
12. Part of AWS community – AWS certified professionals get a chance to network with other successful professionals through the AWS certified LinkedIn community and an opportunity to attend regional events. You can also use the official AWS certified logo if you’re an AWS certified professional. 

If you are looking forward to pursuing AWS certifications, these are a few top reasons why you should take AWS. With these AWS certifications, you can gain the knowledge and tools required to work in this technology. Companies are increasing their investment in cloud technologies as well as upskilling their current staff with the help of AWS certifications to acquire the necessary skills. IT professionals also pursue AWS certifications to build their credibility and knowledge as well as validate their expertise.