What Is the Best Way to Learn Azure?

Learning Microsoft Azure offers benefits for business and IT professionals, developers, attendees at higher education institutions, and anyone interested in accessing Azure’s adaptive cloud services.

Cloud computing is changing the business landscape, with data indicating that adopting it will become vital for businesses to remain competitive by 2028 [1]. The technology transforms how companies and organizations store, manage, and share data, as well as how they run software and applications. Three top players own the largest market share, with the second largest belonging to Microsoft Azure, which has a 21 percent share [2].

Given the popularity of Microsoft Azure and the growth in cloud computing, developing skills in this area can help you boost your career prospects in a range of fields and positions, including software engineering, product management, product design, and cloud engineering. 

Everyone learns in unique ways, which is why the best way to learn Azure depends on various factors and changes from person to person. Find what works best for you by considering your individual learning style, career aspirations, time, and budget. 

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What is Azure?

With its launch in 2010, Microsoft Azure was one of the first cloud computing platforms innovatively offering users the benefits of Microsoft but with better storage, reduced costs, and fewer resources. As a long-standing cloud computing option, Azure now offers over 200 products and services to a global workforce, including storage, analytics, and networking, which are all accessible with a single subscription [3]. Azure works with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to support businesses in growing AI solutions, helping you keep current and move in line with technical advances. 

Through Azure, you can access five different types of cloud computing:

• Model as a service (MaaS) for machine learning

• Artificial intelligence as a service (AIaaS)

• Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

• Platform as a service (PaaS)

• Software as a service (SaaS)

What can you use Azure for?

Businesses and organizations access Azure for a wide range of services and uses across industries, including banking, health care, retail, manufacturing, and game development. Examples of ways that companies use Azure include:

• Hosting databases

• Developing and hosting applications

• Building and using machine learning (ML) and AI models

• Internet of Things (IoT) applications 

• Back-up and disaster recovery

What you plan to use Azure for and the industry you work in may influence how you proceed with your learning. 

What is the best way to learn Azure?

Every learner is different, so what works for one person may not be as effective for others. With this in mind, it's important when learning anything new to think about how you like to learn and then find a medium that supports your learning style. You’ll also want to consider factors such as the time you have available, your budget, and your background and experience. Some options for how to learn Azure include:

• Online courses

• Certifications

• Personal learning

Check out each of these in more detail to see which might suit your needs.

Can I learn Azure on my own? 

Learning Azure on your own is a feasible option. Microsoft offers a whole suite of tutorials and courses called Microsoft Azure learning pathways, which you can access for free and work through at your own pace.

 Microsoft Azure learning pathways

Whatever your learning preferences, it makes sense to start at the source if possible. When learning Azure, Microsoft makes it very straightforward by offering a range of resources, including instructor-led training, self-directed training, and Azure certifications. 

Train at your own pace, in your own time, accessing materials that relate to specific roles or learning pathways, or join instructor-led training sessions. You can filter your training search by job role, product, or subject, and then choose either beginner-, intermediate-, or advanced-level training to create your own pathway. Each course has a range of modules within it. 

For example, you can take the beginner-friendly Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals: Explore Data Analytics in Azure to learn how to use Azure to help create analytics solutions while learning the basics of data visualization, warehousing, and analytics. Other learning paths include:

• Azure AI Fundamentals: AI Overview Learning Path

• Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals: Computer Vision

• Get Started with Azure AI Services

Azure certification

Microsoft also offers Azure certifications as part of its learning portal. While certifications are an excellent way to also build skills, you generally access them after working through some learning pathways. Certifications are an excellent way to validate your learning, giving you something concrete to add to your resume and helping you to focus on specific skills and knowledge. 

Microsoft allows you to search certification options by identifying the intersection between your skills and job role to find the right learning option for you. With so many certifications to offer, Microsoft has broken them down into categories so you can browse certifications for IT professionals, developers, and data and AI professionals.

You can choose from 18 certifications at varying skill levels and for various career paths. Examples include:

• Azure Administrator Associate

• Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty

• Azure Data Engineer Associate

• Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate 

• Azure AI fundamentals

Online courses 

Aside from using the resources that Microsoft offers to help you learn Azure, you can find other course providers that offer online learning options. However you prefer to learn, you’ll likely be able to find an online course option to suit your style. Many online courses blend theoretical and practical learning, using a mix of resources such as videos, documents, written assignments, and presentations. Online courses are generally flexible, allowing you to work around your schedule, with varying costs to help you find options that suit your budget. 

Some types of online courses you might consider to learn Azure include:

• Online degrees: You can study a degree online by choosing majors and minors that support your learning of Azure, such as a bachelor’s degree in cloud computing. A degree is a lengthy option that typically takes four years, but can take anywhere from three and six years, on average, depending on how quickly you work. 

• Boot camps: Boot camps offer a more intensive, hands-on approach to learning, often with classes delivered by industry experts that run for a shorter time frame than a degree course. Azure boot camps typically allow you to work towards several Azure certifications. 

• Guided Projects: You can have an engaging learning experience and gain practical knowledge of Azure through Guided Projects on the Coursera Project Network. These courses guide you through specific real-world job tasks with instruction from industry professionals. For example, during the Implementing Microsoft Azure Backup Guided Project, you'll configure backup policies, use Azure to create a Windows Virtual Machine, and develop a Recovery Services Vault.

Jobs that use Azure

Azure is the second most popular cloud platform with 29.7 percent of professional developers using it, according to a recent Stack Overflow survey [4]. With Microsoft's development of Azure AI Studio, Azure is progressing in the AI field, helping developers create and tailor AI models using Azure technology, as well as leading the way with cloud technology. 

Building your skills in Microsoft Azure, however you choose to learn, can support you in your career development, as Azure skills are essential to a number of roles. Possible job opportunities and the average annual salaries associated with each include:

• Software engineer: $111,861 [5]

• Cloud network engineer: $119,501 [6]

• Product manager: $102,878 [7]

• Product designer: $88,474 [8]

• Technical program manager: $123,636 [9]

Learn more about Azure on Coursera 

Microsoft Azure is an in-demand skill in a technical world that is shifting toward AI and cloud computing. If you want to learn Azure, you must find a style that suits you, whether that is an academic course or something more hands-on, and consider if you wish to learn full-time or on a part-time basis. 

If you’re new to the technology, consider beginning with the basics. Options like IBM’s Information Technology and Cloud Fundamentals can help you develop foundational knowledge in areas like cloud computing, networking, operating systems, and networking. You can access this and many other programs with Coursera Plus, a subscription that opens the door to more than 10,000 learning opportunities to suit your various needs and learning style. 

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