I've mostly seen tenured people join the SA organization but I've also seen some junior or fresh out of school join. Currently a Cloud Support Engineer (network) and would like to make some short term and long term goals in becoming an SA. I'm coming from a network heavy background and would like to round myself out in a way that would benefit me in an SA role. I know there are different teams for SA (general, partner, specialist, Gov, startup, private ext). Is there a recommended team for SA(s) early in their career? I've mostly seen colleagues become general/partner SAs and engineers with a lot of yoe going into $pecialist. Would there be a TC change from L4 CSE to L4 SA or should I wait to become a L5 CSE and then move to L5 SA? Any other technologies/skills recommended like K8, Docker, coding languages, DB, serverless, system design ext that would help me out as an SA? YOE: 2 at aws, 5 in total TC: 108k Breakdown: 90k base, 18.5(yr1), 15.5(yr2), 22 RSU #SA #CSE #AWS #GCP #azure
I think it would be easier to become SME in some networking services in PS and then get promoted to CSE-II. Then you can start looking out for any SA teams where there's vacancy. If it's getting really difficult to get to CSE-II, then you may wanna look out for Associate SA (L4)
I wouldn't go for the sme honestly. Too time consuming. Now they've made it so you can get a promo with the SA pro cert, which would also help his resume to move to SA. So it would be better to go for that.
Sorry not aware of this... Are they promoting CSE I -> CSE II just by having SA Pro cert? 👀
Is this for other domains or network included? Need to double check with manager
As far as i know, this applies to all domains.
As others mentioned go for L5 in your current org, and then move to SA org. Since you would be pretty new to Application, deployments, it would be tough to start with a SA. Go for Specialist SA roles. Enroll in a TFC that is not part of your core skill, that way you will get to learn something new from TFC.
Are you saying to enroll into network TFC, Get L5, and apply for SA? Sorry just found out about TFC
If you are Networking specialist, go with that TFC. Alternatively, you might want to up-skill yourself in an another area like DevOps or Security. That would help you when you want to transition to SA or Specialist SA or Partner SA or ProServe or TAM -> that’s my order of preference.
I have the same career ambitions as OP, this has been helpful. Currently in Net as L4 CSE, I'm planning on pursuing the Net Specialist cert and SME at the same time, promote to L5, then move to SA.
great what is your YoE at AWS?
I have same career plan to move outside Support roles as CSE 1 to something not similar to customer support domain. I don't have any interest in coding so would not consider SDE domains. Just anything outside support would be my next target. SA, ProServe or TAMs
Easiest way for you is to first get L5 and then start reaching out to SA teams. It you get the SA pro cert it should be pretty easy to interview and become SA. I don't believe there are any L4 Solutions Architects. I think L4 for that is Associate Solutions Architect, in which case there would be no change in TC.