Why I Chose to Get Azure Certified (and Why You Should Consider It Too)
Dionne Condor-Farrell
Keynote Speaker | Snr Application Development Mngr | Tech Career Coach | Award Winning Leader in Tech | HERoes 100 Future Leaders Role Model | Computer Wkly Most Influential Women In UK Tech 2024/2023/2022 | TechWomen 50
On Friday, I shared some exciting news proudly announcing that I’d passed the Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 certification. While I received lots of kind congratulations (thank you!), some people reached out and admitted they weren’t quite sure what it was or why I decided to pursue it.
I figured this is the perfect opportunity to break it all down after getting questions like "What’s Azure?", "Why is this certification important?”, "Is it something I need to think about?", etc.
It got me thinking about the bigger picture and why I wanted to share this milestone in the first place. So, I decided to write this article to shed some light on what Azure is, why I felt compelled to get certified, the opportunities it opens up, and why I believe others (especially women and anyone exploring tech careers) should consider certifications like this as part of their growth journey and what it could mean for their careers.
Hopefully it'll inspire some of you to explore this certification for yourselves :-).
What is Azure?
In simple terms, Azure is Microsoft’s cloud computing platform. It’s a bit like a 'giant toolbox' for organisations, providing them with the ability to host, store, and manage their data and applications online instead of relying on physical servers. Azure offers solutions for things like building websites, running machine learning models, hosting apps, managing data, and even supporting IoT (Internet of Things) devices, etc.
Azure powers a lot of what makes our digital world tick. It’s used by businesses across the world, from startups to massive corporation companies, and its reach is growing every day as organisations migrate to the cloud.
What is the Azure Fundamentals Certification?
So what is the Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 certification?
It’s an entry-level certification for anyone who wants to understand the basics of cloud computing and how specifically Microsoft Azure works. It’s designed for people who are either new to the tech industry or who may already have some tech experience but want to deepen their knowledge of cloud computing.
The best part? You don’t need to have prior technical experience to get started! It’s the kind of certification that works well for technical professionals, business leaders, or anyone curious about how cloud technology can impact their work.
The certification covers topics like:
It’s very approachable and gives you a strong foundation to build on, no matter what your level of technical expertise is.
Why Did I Get Certified?
As someone with 20 years of experience in the tech industry, you might wonder why I decided to pursue this certification now. I did it for a few reasons:
The Industry is Evolving
The shift toward cloud computing isn’t a trend, it’s the future of how technology is delivered. Azure and other cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud are becoming essential to modern businesses. For me, staying relevant in this space means understanding the tools and technologies shaping it. And I’ve been exposed to Azure technology on and off a for a while, but as I was focus on Mobile development over the last few years before moving into a leadership role, I never really carved out the time to learn about it in a bit more depth. An opportunity came up recently to pursue an certification during November, so it was an opportunity not to be missed and to really focus on it within a tight deadline.
Learning Never Stops
I’ve always believed in lifelong learning (albeit its been inconsistent for me recently). Even though I’ve spent years in software development teams delivering digital products, and recently in leadership roles in tech, I know there’s always something new to learn. Studying for this certification gave me an opportunity to step back, challenge myself, and deepen my understanding of an area that’s central to the future of tech and heavily used by many companies already.
Lead by Example
As a woman in tech, I want to show others, especially those who may feel unsure about their ability to take on certifications or new skills, that it’s never too late to invest in yourself. Whether you’re new to the industry or have years of experience, taking the time to learn something new is always worth it.
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Broaden My Opportunities
Cloud computing skills are in high demand. The Azure Fundamentals certification is just the beginning, but it’s already opened my eyes to opportunities in areas like cloud solution architecture, DevOps and security. It’s helped me see where I can grow and where I can bring even more value to my teams and my career.
What Opportunities Does It Open Up?
The Azure Fundamentals certification is often referred to as a "gateway certification." It won’t make you a cloud expert overnight, but it provides a solid foundation to pursue more advanced certifications like:
Beyond certifications, understanding Azure and cloud computing will give you:
A competitive edge in the job market. Many organisations are moving to the cloud, and employers are eager to hire people who understand how cloud platforms like Azure work. Even if you’re not in a technical role, understanding cloud concepts can help you contribute to projects and decision-making in new ways.
The ability to pivot your career. Whether you’re already in tech or just starting out, cloud computing knowledge can open doors to roles in data analytics, cybersecurity, AI, and beyond.
Confidence to grow. Certifications build more than just skills, they build confidence. Studying for and passing the exam gave me a sense of accomplishment and momentum to keep learning.
Why You Should Consider Getting Certified?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “But I’m not that technical!”, I'm telling you honestly, you don’t have to be! That’s what makes the Azure Fundamentals certification so approachable.
Here are a few reasons to consider it:
It’s Beginner-Friendly
The certification doesn’t require any prior technical experience. The learning materials are straightforward, and there are plenty of free or low-cost resources out there to help you prepare.
It’s Affordable
The exam itself costs around £69 in the UK($69 in the US), and Microsoft often offers free training sessions and sometimes offer discounted exam vouchers.
It’s Quick to Achieve
Most people can prepare for the certification in a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how much time they dedicate to studying.
It’s a Confidence Booster
Whether you’re looking to enter the tech industry or just want to understand what the cloud is all about, passing this certification can give you the confidence to take your next steps.
I know that stepping into tech, or even just learning something new, can feel daunting at times. Maybe you’ve told yourself, "I’m not technical," or, "It’s too late for me to start." But trust me it’s not too late, and you’re far more capable than you think.
Taking the time to study for and pass the Azure Fundamentals certification was a reminder for me that learning never stops and that the tech industry is full of opportunities for anyone willing to take the first step. Whether you’re already a tech professional or just dipping your toes into tech for the first time, certifications like this can open up doors and empower you to grow in ways you might not have thought possible.
So, if you’ve been thinking about exploring cloud computing, I encourage you to take a look at Azure Fundamentals. Who knows? It might just be the first step toward an exciting new chapter in your career.
Let me know if you decide to give it a try, I’d love to cheer you on! 😊
If this article resonates with you or you have any questions, feel free to connect with me or leave a comment below.