22/01/2025
We spoke to Carlos Carús, IE University professor and the coordinator for the Cloud Solutions Management specialization in the Master in Computer Science & Business Technology.
The Master in Computer Science & Business Technology is an innovative program designed to bridge the gap between business and tech. In their third term, students can choose one of three specializations: Cloud Solutions Management; Artificial Intelligence; and Tech Sales and Consulting. To take a closer look at the Cloud Solutions Management specialization, we spoke to its coordinator, Carlos Carús.
Gaining skills the industry needs
With over 20 years´ industry experience, Carlos is currently the Head of Technology EMEA—Enterprise for Amazon Web Services (AWS). He’s also a professor at IE School of Science & Technology. Carlos forms part of an expert faculty who know exactly what top companies look for in candidates.
“Students will get a very comprehensive knowledge of different cloud infrastructures from reference companies in the field,” he explains. “We extract the learnings that we have from companies that are already using platform computing, and who are very successful at it, and we inject that into the students. They can develop practical skills to obtain these industry certifications that really will prove that they have the skills to make a difference in the companies they’ll work for.”
This approach typifies how students enjoy hands-on learning with cutting-edge technologies and industry leaders from day one. The program prepares sector-ready professionals with demonstrable practical experience of real-world projects. This makes them highly attractive to top employers in the field.
“Our graduates have the certifications, skills and knowledge to hit the ground running. And the Cloud Solutions Management specialization is just one of the tools to help them reach their goals,” Carlos Carús.
“We extract these learnings that we have from companies that are already using platform computing and are very successful, and we inject that into the students. So they develop practical skills and obtain industry certifications that really will prove they have the skills to make a difference in the companies that they’ll work for.”
Bridging the professional gap with Cloud Solutions Management
Why is this specialization so relevant now? Carlos points out that a significant skills gap not only exists now but is growing—creating graduates with the right skills to close that gap. This puts them in an excellent position when it comes to competing for the best roles.
“McKinsey is telling us that the cloud computing business is going to generate $1 trillion. Garner says it’s $4 trillion,” Carlos tells us. “The challenge we’re having is that right now, worldwide, there are 5.6 million job openings, meaning there’s an extremely huge demand for these kinds of skills in the market. Companies are really struggling to identify this skill in the market. It’s a type of skill that, if students have it, they will be a really strong asset for companies.”
The Cloud Solutions Management specialization is dedicated to giving students the skill set to fill that gap. “This specialization focuses first on an in-depth exploration of cloud-based systems and applications. It covers the fundamental pillars of what companies are looking for in the design, development, deployment and management of cloud solutions.”
However, specialization doesn’t mean limitation, and in fact the professional opportunities for graduates of the program are very broad. As Carlos explains, companies are increasingly focused on digital transformation. However, nine out of ten worldwide are struggling to fill cloud-related roles.
“I’d be surprised to find any large company that doesn’t want the kinds of skills that we hope students are going to bring to the market.”
So the specialization opens doors in a broad range of roles, from cloud or solution architects to solution designers, cloud migration specialists and more. “The beauty here is that the demand is massive,” Carlos says. “There are multiple opportunities. Nine out of 10 companies worldwide are looking for cloud-related skills.”
A hands-on learning experience
Key to the value of the Cloud Solutions Management specialization is its practical, experiential learning. Students work on real-life projects, learning to leverage the most up-to-date and innovative cloud solutions. They collaborate with industry leaders and visit top companies like Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft and Google during Global Immersion Week. They also dive into datathons, attend bootcamps, secure internships and gain the most relevant industry certifications as part of a range of other valuable resources.
Through these experiences, students build a valuable network of likeminded people—something that Carlos considers crucial.
“One of the key assets of this whole program is to really be able to connect with industry leaders, to really understand what’s happening in the companies, to learn directly from the field and to start building a proper network. This is one of the most important elements in your professional career.”
Fresh perspectives for a dynamic industry
“The only constant right now is change,” says Carlos. As an experienced professional at the sharp end of the sector, he understands the importance of leveraging technology. “Technology on its own, without someone who’s able to really understand the business value that you can take out of it, is totally useless.”
“It’s always great to talk to the students, because they come with a very fresh mind to the lessons and to the lectures. It’s always super refreshing to hear from them and to get perspectives […] that make you challenge everything that you are doing. For me, it’s extremely enriching to engage with the students and see their willingness, their impact and their ability to learn.”
For Carlos, such new perspectives are essential. This is makes the combination of his industry role with academia especially potent. And it’s why he sees the Cloud Solutions Management specialization as being so useful for our students.
