Enterprise architects receive a high yearly salary and have significant job security, making it a great career to consider.
If you want to work in technology, you should consider getting an enterprise architecture diploma and learning a variety of technical and soft skills.
How to become an enterprise architect? The complete guide in this post will help you plan your path properly. Let’s dig into the details!
What Is An Enterprise Architect?
An enterprise architecture (EA) is a conceptual framework that specifies how enterprises operate.
EA is the process of assessing, designing, developing, and conducting analysis across an organization.
An enterprise architecture aims to figure out how an organization may meet its existing and future objectives efficiently.
The architects assist businesses undertaking digital transformation by focusing on combining legacy systems and processes into a single system.
Enterprise architects are in charge of a firm’s IT infrastructures and services’ repair and maintenance.
Enterprise architects are in charge of a firm’s IT infrastructures and services’ repair and maintenance.
They will be responsible for managing, developing, and updating enterprise services, hardware, and software.
What Does An Enterprise Architect Do?
Enterprise architects communicate with managers and stakeholders to analyze the company’s objective.
They work across the company to guarantee that the whole IT system operates effectively.
Among the roles of these architects are:
- Optimizing data management systems;
- Putting in place a distributed system to enhance information sharing and lower expenses;
- Developing guidelines and regulations for the usage of IT resources;
- Training employees on the guiding principles for employing the company’s IT services and solutions;
- Adopting innovative IT solutions to find ways to improve operations;
- Assessing current IT systems for problems that could affect their efficiency, security, or performance.
How To Become An Enterprise Architect
A vast knowledge base is necessary to become an enterprise architect. Please follow these steps to have a head start on a job in IT.
1. Earn a degree
Students often aim for a bachelor’s degree to follow this career path. However, you can also choose other alternatives.
- Bachelor’s degree
The recruiter often requires a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related major and a few years of relevant job experience.
Many architects pursue a master’s degree in EA to gain specific field training, but industry certifications can sometimes fill the role of education.
- Bootcamps
Coding bootcamps provide software engineering, computer science, and even project management training courses.
These programs are far more intensive and less expensive than traditional degree courses. They cannot, though, assist you in breaking into enterprise architecture straight away.
Bootcamps are more suited to professionals planning to change careers than to amateurs interested in becoming enterprise architects.
- Vocational school
Vocational schools aren’t the most popular way to enter this sector. These schools offer academic and practical education in addition to essential training.
These institutions are suitable for people new to technology who wish to learn essential skills required for entry-level positions.
2. Earn some certificates
Earning certificates is necessary whether you want to advance in your present position or get into the EA industry. Here are the 4 EA certification programs.
- Google Cloud Platform
This certification has no prerequisites for experts. However, you must have relevant knowledge of the Google Cloud Platform.
You’ll have skills in designing, building, and executing cloud architecture to pass the tests.
You should also be familiar with using Google cloud tools to analyze a company’s operations.
- Salesforce
This certificate is for you if you’re a professional at dealing with architectural designs on the Salesforce platform.
You’ll deal with theoretical problems during the test, and you’ll have to come up with architectural solutions for each.
- AWS
Before taking this exam, you should have at least six months of hands-on working experience with AWS (Amazon Web Services) architectural solutions.
You should be familiar with computing, databases, storage, and AWS’ worldwide infrastructure on the AWS systems.
- TOGAF
TOGAF is a methodology for managing budgets and timelines based on the TOGAF Enterprise Framework.
Enterprise architects will benefit from certification in this technique. You can earn this certificate by finishing training classes and passing the exam.
3. Develop your skills
Regardless of the scope and domain in which the architects work, they share a set of skills.
- Inquiry
Architects are in charge of finding solutions to specific issues. The first step in solving any problem is to get to the source of the case.
Naturally, the needs are frequently unclear and come in the context of a narrow application area.
As a result, the inquiry should uncover specific aims and targets and a knowledge of how those objectives fit into the larger business context.
- Analysis
Strong analysis skills enable you to assess and evaluate the existing performance and weaknesses of the organization.
It’s also necessary to have solid design and data visualization skills to turn your data into visual graphics. They will help you visualize complex information.
- DevOps
A job as an enterprise architect involves ensuring that a company’s IT infrastructure operates properly.
You’ll require a thorough understanding of DevOps, a methodology that combines software engineering and IT operations.
This skill will assist you in monitoring analytics and managing procedures for maximum efficiency.
- Application
The programs you employ will vary depending on whether you’re looking for a sector or mastering a specific platform.
Numerous courses and online programs are available to teach you about information security and other relevant applications.
- Tech and business knowledge
You must have a basic understanding of how the enterprise system works. This understanding allows you to develop infrastructure around a defined corporate strategy.
You’ll also require a solid knowledge of market trends and computers, particularly cloud systems.
- Problem-solving
Enterprise architects need problem-solving skills because they will have to resolve complicated issues involving numerous departments.
The managers may ask them to discover a method to boost staff productivity while keeping costs low.
Two examples are collaborating with human resources to enhance staff efficiency and engaging with finance to cut costs.
- Teamwork
The architects work with project managers, designers, marketing departments, and other architects.
They must be able to cooperate with others because they share the same goal: finishing the project successfully.
- Project management
An enterprise architect needs project management skills to develop and implement new strategies and processes.
Effective project planning and implementation require a high level of discipline and attention to detail.
- Leadership
Enterprise architects frequently collaborate with other specialists like project managers, designers, and other architects.
Leadership abilities can assist you in communicating effectively with your teammates and ensuring that everybody understands their job and how their tasks contribute to the team’s achievement.
4. Look for job opportunities
Before interviewing, do some research on each firm to give a full description of how you can strengthen the firm’s IT architecture.
Prepare for possible interview questions ahead of time to boost your confidence. The recruiters will ask you situational questions to assess your ability to deal with various scenarios.
5. Advance your skills
Some employers prefer applicants with an EA master’s degree. This advanced degree will assist you in resolving the difficulties of developing a company’s overall IT infrastructure.
Several certificates can augment your education. To improve your profession, pursue credentials in data security, data management, or systems engineering.
Career Opportunities
It’s an excellent idea to become an enterprise architect because you’ll definitely earn a good salary and have job stability. You’ll also increase your chances of acquiring other computer employment.
Salary
Enterprise architects are normally employed in full-time jobs, while some may work part-time or on a temporary contract.
The average salary of this position varies depending on your experience and education. The size and location of a company are further factors affecting the pay.
In the United States, the average annual wage is $139,860. Salary ranges from $53,000 to $266,000 per year in some cases.
The average income for these architects is far higher than that of many other IT jobs. You can expect an ideal payment if you work in this sector.
Demand
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not compile data on business architects’ career prospects.
Nevertheless, it provides information on related professions like computer network architects.
According to the BLS, job growth in this sector is expected to be 5%, which is above the average.
The necessity for an innovative approach to architecture rises in importance as firms become more dynamic.
To respond effectively to changes in the market, agile teams should require a more adaptive and flexible infrastructure.
The advancement of online transformation as a fundamental business motorist is having a huge impact on the EA’s position.
Companies are seeking individuals who can help them successfully integrate into their processes efficiently and productively as they progress to a more digital-centric platform.
As a result of this trend, enterprise architects with competent skills are in high demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students who want to pursue this career path have a lot of questions. Here are some of them.
1. Can you become an enterprise architect without a degree?
You can get a job as an enterprise architect without a degree if you have five to ten years of professional experience.
However, most business architect positions demand at least a bachelor’s degree.
The degree program will be the safest choice if you have no prior experience in technology.
2. How long does it take to become an enterprise architect?
Earning a degree and gaining the required experience could take nine to twelve years. The bachelor’s degree program is the best bet, although other schooling options need less time.
You should also get some experience in the field by working in software engineering or project management positions during your school path.
Bootcamps are also an excellent approach to honing your skills and earning practical training.
3. What subjects are needed to become an enterprise architect?
This professional path usually requires at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related discipline and significant expertise in IT or a relevant subject.
The department represents the organization’s highest level of technical competence and involves a wide range of technical subjects.
The most important subjects are systems and networking infrastructure, DevOps, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and data architecture.
4. What makes a good enterprise architect?
Good architects are customer-focused, excellent at creating value for their company and clients, communicating effectively with business and IT workers, and aren’t obsessed with architecture.
They are well-versed in measurement procedures, can achieve their company’s goals, and are willing to roll up their sleeves in the execution of roadmaps.
5. What are the three types of enterprise architecture?
The three types of enterprise architecture frameworks are Industry, Domain, and Comprehensive.
- Industry: These frameworks technically specify the views, stakeholders, and modeling methodologies. They may also offer appropriate models for the industry.
- Domain: They specialize in improving domain architectural frameworks for a single domain and often give the most in-depth strategies and methods.
- Comprehensive: Comprehensive frameworks are Domain and Industry agnostic.
Conclusion
Enterprise architectures are promising jobs with high salaries. However, if you want to enter this sector, make sure to get yourself prepared.
You don’t have to acquire a bachelor’s degree, but the recruiters will definitely test your skills and knowledge.
Hopefully, the guide we have shared can help you picture your future career path. For any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!