Is the AWS Certified Data Engineer Worth It?
Quick Definition: The AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate certification (DEA-C01) is an intermediate-level exam that validates skills and knowledge in core data-related AWS services.
There are many choices for those who wish to boost their careers by completing IT certifications. After a while, some IT professionals consider acquiring new certifications a hobby.
But aside from the pleasure of learning or getting more badges for the signature block, why would anyone want to complete the AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate certification? And what does it have to offer? Let’s have a look at this cert, including what it covers and who should consider taking the test.
What is the AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate Certification?
The AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate certification (DEA-C01) is an industry-recognized IT exam provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that validates an individual’s skills in the fields of data engineering and data architecture.
This exam is part of a growing family of AWS certifications that includes an array of foundational, associate, professional, and specialty exams. The current list of AWS associate exams includes:
DEA-C01 includes 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions, and the maximum exam duration is 130 minutes. (Test takers are usually allowed more time when the exam is not in their native language.) You can take the exam either at a Pearson VUE testing center or as an online proctored exam. The exam is offered in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.
What Does the DEA-C01 Exam Test Cover?
Amazon offers plenty of information about the Data Engineer - Associate certification on its website, including a detailed exam guide. The exam is designed to “showcase your ability to design data models, manage data life cycles, and ensure data quality.”
The exam deals with four distinct areas of study, known as domains. These domains have differing weights that will affect your exam score, as follows:
Domain 1: Data Ingestion and Transformation (34% of scored content)
Domain 2: Data Store Management (26% of scored content)
Domain 3: Data Operations and Support (22% of scored content)
Domain 4: Data Security and Governance (18% of scored content)
How Much Does the DEA-C01 Exam Cost?
The cost of the DEA-C01 is the same for all associate-level exams. In U.S. dollars, associate-level exams cost $150. Exam prices are updated each May to reflect updated exchange rates. Here is a selection of current associate-level exam prices at the time this article was last updated:
USD: $150
EUR: €138
AUD: $229
JPY: ¥20,000
KRW: ₩197,287
CNY: ¥ 1,085
What Experience Do You Need for the DEA-C01?
While there are no definite prerequisites for taking any AWS exam, Amazon says that the ideal candidate should have at least one to two years of hands-on experience with AWS services.
Preparing for the Data Engineer—Associate certification with zero prior experience in the AWS console could be challenging. You will also need a good understanding of information technology in general and the fundamentals of cloud computing.
Many aspiring cloud engineers start with the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam and then do the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate exam before moving on to other AWS exams. The new AWS Certified AI Practitioner exam could also be another good starting point before moving on to DEA-C01.
AWS also recommends that candidates have two to three years of experience in data engineering or data architecture before attempting the exam. Candidates with a data engineering background will definitely have an advantage in tackling DEA-C01.
Who Should Take DEA-C01?
While any IT professional with a strong interest in the subject matter may want to consider this exam, certain roles may be better suited to this path.
Data Engineers
IT professionals who create data pipelines, storage solutions, or perform analytics on raw data may be ideal for DEA-C01. The exam goes deep into the setup and maintenance of extract, transform, and load (ETL) pipelines from ingestion to destination, and that is already a part of the data engineer’s workload.
If you're considering a career in big data engineering, check out our guide on how to become a Big Data Engineer to explore additional skills and certifications that complement AWS expertise.
Cloud Professionals Focused on Data
Every IT engineer deals with data in some form, but some professionals may find that their daily work has evolved into consistent data handling and analysis. Those who specialize in cloud data may want to pursue the DEA-C01. Optimizing data storage and managing data lifecycles is integral to the exam.
Data Architects
While data engineers and cloud professionals may implement and manage data solutions in the cloud, data architects define the standards and lay the foundation before they begin working with the data. DEA-C01 can help data architects develop their expertise as they make data architecture scalable and reliable, aligning it with business needs.
Is the AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate Worth It?
It is often asked whether it is worth the time, effort, and expense to pursue a particular IT certification. The answer is always the same: a qualified “it depends.” It mainly depends on what you want to accomplish.
Using DEA-C01 to Learn Skills
If your purpose is to learn the practice of data engineering on AWS, then the DEA-C01 is definitely worth it. You may argue that you can learn a technical role without pursuing certification, but I take issue with that. You can learn a lot about data engineering, for instance, by logging into the AWS platform and playing around, reading AWS whitepapers, and digging into other information. But it’s too easy to miss a lot of skill development and understanding that way.
Completing a training course like our AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate (DEA-C01) Online Training is a great way to thoroughly address all aspects of AWS data engineering. It is better to take a comprehensive approach than hit-or-miss in your learning efforts. (Of course, if you’re more aligned with Google Cloud, you may want to pursue the Google Professional Data Engineer Certification.)
Using DEA-C01 to Validate Skills
Those who have already developed hands-on skills in AWS data engineering may have done so because of insatiable curiosity or because their job role has demanded that they get up to speed. Even so, they can fill in any knowledge or skill gaps by pursuing DEA-C01. And what better way to validate existing skills and demonstrate to the world a person’s skillset than to ace an industry-recognized certification? However, even the best self-taught cloud data professional will need to put in the time and effort to prepare for the exam.
Conclusion
Becoming an AWS Data Engineer Associate is not for everyone. But for those who already work in data engineering or may see the AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate is well worth it.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of database administrators and architects will grow by 10% between 2020 and 2030. While professional growth and skill development have their own rewards, it doesn’t hurt that the demand for data engineers is steadily increasing.
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