Navigating a Career in Cloud Engineering: Skills, Mentorship, Interviews & Salary Insights
Wed Feb 04 2026
In this episode, we featured the founder of Cloudtechexec, a cloud engineer, cloud career coach, and IT content creator known for simplifying complex tech careers into practical, actionable steps.
From interviewing IT professionals at major industry summits to sharing real insights on certifications, salaries, and career growth, his work has helped make cloud engineering more accessible and achievable for aspiring and experienced tech professionals alike.
He opens up about his journey into cloud engineering, the challenges he faced breaking into tech, how to find the right mentor, strategies for interviewing and negotiating salary, and how he built Cloudtechexec, including the criteria he uses to select members of the community.
This conversation is packed with real-world advice you can apply immediately if you’re just getting started in IT or already working in tech and looking to level up.
Topics CoveredBreaking into cloud engineeringSecurity+ and certifications in techFinding and leveraging mentorshipCloud vs DevOps careersInterview success strategiesSalary negotiation in techWork-life balance for cloud engineersBuilding CloudTechExec & future projects⏱️ Timestamps0:39 – Introduction1:44 – Why CompTIA Security+ Matters in Tech2:13 – The Importance of Mentorship in Tech Careers3:47 – Smart Investment Advice for People in Tech6:05 – Common Challenges When Starting a Tech Career6:52 – How to Find the Right Mentors7:47 – My Journey Into Cloud Engineering9:39 – The Best Way to Learn New Tech Skillsets11:25 – Benefits of Being Proficient in Multiple Cloud Platforms14:06 – Cloud Engineering vs DevOps: Key Differences14:45 – Showing Income as an IT Content Creator15:31 – Full-Gaze Opportunities in the DevOps Space18:00 – How to Measure Success in a Tech Interview19:35 – Why You Should Ask Questions at the End of Interviews21:13 – Salary Negotiation Tips for Tech Professionals21:57 – Do Cloud Engineers Earn More Than Their Managers?22:48 – Work-Life Balance in Cloud Engineering24:45 – How CloudTechExec Started25:25 – Requirements for Joining CloudTechExec26:31 – HackerProof Team Introductions30:21 – CloudTechExec’s Next Project30:44 – Closing Remarks💡 Big News — HackerProofHQ Newsletter Is Live!
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🔗 Connect With Our GuestCloudTechExec on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloudtechexec🔗 Connect With HackerProofHQInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackerproofhqTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hacker.proofTwitter/X: /hackerproofhq📧 For inquiries or suggestions: Info@hackerproofhq.com
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In this episode, we featured the founder of Cloudtechexec, a cloud engineer, cloud career coach, and IT content creator known for simplifying complex tech careers into practical, actionable steps. From interviewing IT professionals at major industry summits to sharing real insights on certifications, salaries, and career growth, his work has helped make cloud engineering more accessible and achievable for aspiring and experienced tech professionals alike. He opens up about his journey into cloud engineering, the challenges he faced breaking into tech, how to find the right mentor, strategies for interviewing and negotiating salary, and how he built Cloudtechexec, including the criteria he uses to select members of the community. This conversation is packed with real-world advice you can apply immediately if you’re just getting started in IT or already working in tech and looking to level up. Topics CoveredBreaking into cloud engineeringSecurity+ and certifications in techFinding and leveraging mentorshipCloud vs DevOps careersInterview success strategiesSalary negotiation in techWork-life balance for cloud engineersBuilding CloudTechExec & future projects⏱️ Timestamps0:39 – Introduction1:44 – Why CompTIA Security+ Matters in Tech2:13 – The Importance of Mentorship in Tech Careers3:47 – Smart Investment Advice for People in Tech6:05 – Common Challenges When Starting a Tech Career6:52 – How to Find the Right Mentors7:47 – My Journey Into Cloud Engineering9:39 – The Best Way to Learn New Tech Skillsets11:25 – Benefits of Being Proficient in Multiple Cloud Platforms14:06 – Cloud Engineering vs DevOps: Key Differences14:45 – Showing Income as an IT Content Creator15:31 – Full-Gaze Opportunities in the DevOps Space18:00 – How to Measure Success in a Tech Interview19:35 – Why You Should Ask Questions at the End of Interviews21:13 – Salary Negotiation Tips for Tech Professionals21:57 – Do Cloud Engineers Earn More Than Their Managers?22:48 – Work-Life Balance in Cloud Engineering24:45 – How CloudTechExec Started25:25 – Requirements for Joining CloudTechExec26:31 – HackerProof Team Introductions30:21 – CloudTechExec’s Next Project30:44 – Closing Remarks💡 Big News — HackerProofHQ Newsletter Is Live! Get exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and insider tech career tips delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 https://www.hackerproofhq.com/ 🔗 Connect With Our GuestCloudTechExec on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloudtechexec🔗 Connect With HackerProofHQInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackerproofhqTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hacker.proofTwitter/X: /hackerproofhq📧 For inquiries or suggestions: Info@hackerproofhq.com ☕ Support the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/6fbd8... Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/hacker-proof-hq/donations