When it comes to accelerating your career in Microsoft Cloud, it’s safe to say that Thomas Maurer is an expert.
Thomas works as a Principal Program Manager & Chief Evangelist for Azure Hybrid at Microsoft. As part of the Azure engineering team (Cloud + AI), he engages with the community and customers worldwide to share knowledge and collect feedback to improve the Azure hybrid cloud and edge platform.
As part of this role, Thomas helps communities and organizations with the adoption of Azure Adaptive Cloud Experience (hybrid, multicloud, and edge). He provides an engineering-focused effort designed to improve the customer experience, delivering evaluation experiences, content creation, cloud advocacy, community enablement, events, demos, and reference architecture support evaluation solutions.
And if Thomas’ resume isn’t impressive enough, his accolades certainly do the rest of the talking. From 2012-2019, for example, he was awarded the Microsoft MVP Award by Microsoft for his expertise in Cloud Computing and Virtualization, awarded in two main categories, Microsoft Azure and Cloud & Datacenter Management.
With all this in mind, we simply couldn’t wait to sit down with Thomas and hear his insights on how to advance your cloud career. From the skills most in demand to the trends you need to embrace to stay ahead of the curve, deep dive into Thomas’ expert advice below—and head over to the Nigel Frank Careers and Hiring Guide to read more!
How has the rise of adaptive cloud experiences impacted the demand for specific skill sets within the tech industry?
The rise of Azure adaptive cloud experiences has reshaped the tech industry’s skill set demands. There’s a heightened need for expertise in cloud-native development, AI and machine learning, and DevOps and Platform Engineering practices.
Skills in hybrid, multi-cloud, and edge management, cloud security, and data management are increasingly valuable. Additionally, edge computing and AI-enhanced operations are emerging as critical areas of knowledge. These shifts reflect the industry’s move towards a more integrated, intelligent, and automated cloud ecosystem.
How do you see the cloud landscape evolving, and what skills will be most valuable in the next 3–5 years?
The cloud landscape is set to evolve towards greater ubiquity and specialization. We can expect a rise in multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies, emphasizing the need for cloud orchestration and interoperability skills.
The most valuable skills in the next 3–5 years will include:
- Cloud architecture and design: Ability to create scalable, reliable, and secure cloud solutions.
- AI and machine learning: Building intelligent applications that can leverage cloud-scale data.
- Platform engineering, DevOps, and automation: Streamlining operations with a focus on continuous integration and delivery.
- Cybersecurity: Protecting cloud assets against evolving threats.
- Data analytics: Extracting insights from vast amounts of data stored in the cloud.
- Networking: Ensuring efficient and secure connectivity across distributed environments.
These skills will be crucial as organizations continue to adopt cloud technologies to drive innovation and efficiency.
What advice would you give to tech professionals looking to advance their careers in cloud computing and adaptive cloud technologies?
For tech professionals aiming to advance their careers in cloud computing and adaptive cloud technologies, here’s my advice:
- Embrace continuous learning: The cloud landscape is rapidly evolving. Stay ahead by continuously updating your knowledge through courses, certifications, and hands-on experience with platforms like Microsoft Azure.
- Specialize: While a broad understanding of cloud technologies is beneficial, specializing in areas such as cloud security, cloud architecture, Platform Engineering, DevOps, AI/ML, or data analytics can make you stand out.
- Develop soft skills: Communication and teamwork are as important as technical skills. Being able to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders is invaluable.
- Get certified: Vendor-specific certifications are highly regarded in the industry. Consider pursuing certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or whatever else fits your role best.
- Build a portfolio: Showcase your skills by building a portfolio of projects. This could include contributions to open-source projects or personal projects that demonstrate your expertise.
- Network: Engage with the tech community through forums, meetups, and conferences. Networking can lead to new opportunities and insights into industry trends.
- Stay agile: Be ready to adapt to new tools and methodologies. The ability to quickly learn and implement new technologies is a significant advantage.
- Understand the business: Knowing how cloud solutions can drive business value is crucial. Focus on developing solutions that align with business goals and deliver tangible results.
By focusing on these areas, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the dynamic field of cloud computing and adaptive cloud technologies.
What's the best way for professionals to keep up with the pace of innovation in cloud technologies? Are there any specific learning paths or resources you recommend?
To keep up with the pace of innovation in cloud technologies, professionals should adopt a multifaceted approach:
- Continuous learning: Engage in lifelong learning through online platforms like Microsoft Learn and others that offer courses on the latest cloud technologies.
- Certifications: Pursue certifications from cloud providers to validate your skills and stay updated with the latest advancements.
- Community engagement: Participate in forums, meetups, and conferences to network with peers and learn from industry experts.
- Hands-on practice: Use free tiers or sandbox environments provided by cloud platforms to gain practical experience.
- Industry news: Follow tech news outlets, blogs, and podcasts to stay informed about new trends and developments.
- Documentation and whitepapers: Read official documentation and whitepapers from cloud providers to understand new features and best practices.
- Open-source contribution: Contribute to open-source projects to collaborate with other developers and learn from real-world projects.
- Professional networks: Join professional networks and groups on platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other professionals and share knowledge.
