Thank you so much Trevor! I'm a software developer of 15 years who feels burnt out and misplaced in software development. For years, I'd be been wanting to make a change and I recently came across the Solutions Architect role. It seems like a perfect balance between technology and customer management. Your video really helped seal the deal for me in terms of wanting to pursue my career in this direction.
There is actually a 5th one in my experience, and that is, support. In my company we have SAs in a high level support position, and like you eluded to, its vague enough to fit. These people tend to be a mix of escalation points for tickets, they may review runbooks, or review training for engineers, interface with development on product improvement and resiliency and so forth. Very tech knowledge subject matter expert driven kind of job, but exist outside of the pre or post sales position. SA really is a job title that can be see all over the spectrum.
Good point!!! "Architect" is the new "Senior Engineer" at some places - the title itself is def all over the place depending in the org. Some engineers are architecting, and some architects are engineering - but most do a bit of both!
I like Databases and Networks, its like being able to touch a machines brain and nervous system. In the roles you mentioned I like the sounds of the Enterprise SA. I could talk all day about certain technologies and I'm passionate about the big picture.
Been doing SAP for 10 years then shifted to Pre Sales SAP and I never looked back. I am confident + armed with technology consulting experience. This is the most fun job I ever had. Talking to other people and they bombard you with questions. Feels great answering them all.
So, I got offered a job as an SA. Seems God has a sense of humour, my initials are SA too 🤔 Anyways, so I got this job as an SA. I was approached as a put my CV on some website. The interview was in 4 parts, which I aced (they told me so), the thing is, I didn't really want the job, and I didn't think about (or really know) about what SA's do. So, then I applied for another co. of which I like their tech, as an SA (who knows how that will go), but now I kinda understand what the role is, I think it's a good fit for me. I'm experienced I've been in tech for years, just never thought about the SA job. Still messing with code or cloud stuff at all hours of the day or night (tech is fun, not sure how you can do this job if you don't love the tech; loving the tech is like a kid playing with his/her favourite toy 😅) - you've gotta have an edge right 😄
Currently in my first big internal solutions architect role. Longer term, I do want to get back into engineering management, but I 100% want to do this as a side hustle. I like the intense project and customer focus and the challenge of working within constraints of time, money, and people. I have learned SO much stepping away from software development teams to do this tour as a consultant.
Thanks so much. Its good to finally have this explained. I'm not sure if I want to be an SA but everyone says get the SAA cert first because it covers so much. Maybe there are some romote Cloud Infrastructure positions out there tool. I have basic network admin skills.
Thank you so much Sir. I love the way you break it down, and finally said, take it easy 😂. I've been a pre-sale person all my life, I think am going to go for it. Secondly, I've prepared so much for the SAA-C02, and it retired August 30th, SAA-C03 emerged. I have failed it once, I don't want to fail this exam again, whizlab and other trainers do not update their materials with the aws console. I would love any advise on how to sit for the C03 exam, i have a week more to write the exam
This post kind of sums it up - www.linkedin.com/posts/trevorspires_aws-awscloud-careerintech-activity-6971108051936231425-fj3g? I'll eventually make a video about it... one day.
Great video and information on SAs, just my 2 cents, this role is really overarching today, I am in a similar role but depending on my customer's needs I have to function as a technical design SA in some cases(network, security, certain IAAS, or API functional deployments, microservices), sometimes I am understanding their problems from a business standpoint and translating viable solutions, and even post deployment support for certain best practices etc. so Day0/Day1/Day2, even Day-1, haha. What's awesome is that we always get to be learning new stuff everyday.
Thank you Trevor! Very helpful. I was wondering if Solution Architect are only in tech companies? Are they called something different in other industries?
If possible then can you please explain the benefits and constraints of being a Specialist SA vs Generalist SA? It would benefit people in adapting which role to choose.
This is great content...I've watched a few of your videos; that music in the background is killing me though, so repetitive. My brain is like "Didn't you just watch this? I swear you just watched this 😄" - and it's a different video.
I have been performing several roles during my career. SE, FAE, Pre-Sales, Technical Marketing Engineer, Solutions Architect, and more. Now, in my latest role, as Solution Architect/Manager, I perform ALL these 4 types of solutions architecture. Yeah, understanding this role can be funny and complicated, but it is common. BTW, if I had to define all my roles into one, I will choose Technical Marketing Engineer, which is a mix of all of them, at the end, and the last stage of a Solutions Architect role (In my opinion). In a few words, “translating” all the (technical) content from RD, Engineers, Developers, etc; via benchmarks, presentations, training, POCs, and more; to Sales, FAE, BDMs, and end customers. Cheers!
What is your domain ? How can one get there , trainings and certifications, I was once a presales but my role quickly transitioned into more sales support than actual presales , so kind of looking for ways to get domain knowledge say cyber security & enterprise networking for example to actually do solutions in it
@@thatotladi4271 Hi! I am on Cloud, Datacenters, Storage, and Virtualization. My current focus is on GPU solutions. I have no certifications. If you are asking for advice... First, you need to love what you do. Do a lot of research and get lots of hands-on. Show your data, benchmarks, and key insights to your team or tho whoever in the company are going to benefit from it. Pay attention to minor details in presentations and reports, and focus on quality material over quantity, always. Improve PowerPoint and Excel skills, these are fundamental to delivering the proper message to Sales and customers. Cheers!
Hi Trevor.. Glad I met another SA Presales person cause often i find less videos on Presales. Can you please share your experience on Desinging phase that Soultion Artchitect Presales go through while solutioning for a customer.. For ex a video conferencing solution .. To what level do we deep dive in the design phase?
Honestly, I dont have a framework other than "Adapt to your customer" The answer to your question isn't static. Its highly variable depending on the WHO Sometimes, a design isn't necessary at all. Sometimes, you are diving into feature/functions with builders. It makes the job hard, but also its awesome.
I wouldn't put Enterprise Architects as a type of SA. SA can evolve to EA /Chief (and most often when the management path is heavily followed) but SA are focused on the match between specific need and IT. EA are focused on the match between overall business strategy and IT, most often dealing with IT people than IT itself. It's also a matter of creating the Architecture practice (process / organisation) allowing a good IT delivery.
Are the job titles usually called SA? I'm a software product manager with 7 years experience in consulting, and other customer facing roles, and i enjoy solutioning the product and customer interactions. I'm the hierarchy of titles and salaries where do the PM and SA stand? Can a PM become an SA?
Is a progresion path of Business Analyst > Senior Business Analyst > Enterprise/Business Architect is a good career track (particularly for Azure B2C,B2B,Entra)?
Can you tell me which of these require travel and which don't? I kind of lost interest in SA after being told by an SA that it requires a lot of travel. I have a family, enjoy working from home and do not wish to travel often. I'm assuming that an internal SA would travel the least, but would it be the only one for that?
I cannot unfortunately - that will depend on the company/team. Travel is very common for most customer-facing SAs, but the amount of travel ranges a lot these days. Especially since COVID Good luck!
I have a question I have full access to the AWS certification thanks to the company I'm at. I wanted to know which is best, Microsoft or AWS in terms of jobs in Europe, like I love business and I have low communication but been working on that, I have some programming knowledge still growing in java, flutter, angular and, I'm doing DevOps AWS certification. I do love A.I particularly vision based A.I which is what ill probably study for MSc but that aside, I have access to AWS SA certification, should I do it or Spend money on the Microsoft on and what entry level jobs can I get in Europe for the certification ?
HAH! It is an Ibanez SR4FMDX - 5 string model. Picked it up for myself earlier this year and I can't put it down!!! Its the best instrument i've ever owned... i'm in love. Good luck with your journey into tech and the SA world. Ping me anytime if I can help you with something. Good luck!
@@trevspires oh that sounds like a lovely bass. Thank you so much for the offer. I am currently studying for my CP exam and I am loving it. Your content really are helpful so far. My question is how do you know you are employable as a SA?
@@TheOba89 - its hard to say, but checking SA job descriptions is a good way to figure that out. For most people, it takes many years. And they would start with a traditional IT career path with an entry-level position.
@@TheOba89 for new people. Yes. It’s all relative to your current experience tho. Of course if you can convince someone to give you a less junior role, that’s ideal. But, realistically most SA’s are pretty senior and spend roughly a decade on average in other parts of tech before they become an SA - Some associate development programs for SA are getting more popular as boomers retire, but they’re very selective and not something most people can bank on. Just focus on learning the skills, and selling yourself - then the opportunity will follow
Great video Trevor , what's your advice for someone who did most sales support but wanting to move into presales engineering , do I need technical certs or just architect certs or , I dnt mind software sales , though my core interest is on cyber security and networking /cloud even though I have no idea where to start
It is true! I happen to come from a software background, but I also see his role working on psolutions in Manufacturing, Robotics, IoT Sensors, and other physical spaces. Usually there's some hybrid of Software and Hardware in these solutions. Great call-out!
I think you mean one of our partner SA's? - They work with partners and integrating partner solutions into AWS for customers. Its a unique role! Relationships with partners, partner/AWS designs, and brining those to customers.
Fantastic insight. New to the channel via "What is a Solutions Architect? | SA Role Explained" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WI5XaZcEoJI.html. I've personally been searching for a new career since September 2022. After much research in Logistics, Business Analysis, Programming, etc. Thanks to your info I've realized THIS is the role and career I've been seeking. Being positioned between business/human connection & technology is music to my ears. Keep up the great work!
