Main image of article MuleSoft Training: What You Need to Know to Start

Businesses everywhere rely on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions and application programming interfaces (APIs) for even the most basic functions. In the name of efficiency, many of those businesses use software that automates and integrates SaaS, on-premises software, and other platforms. And a portion of those businesses depend on MuleSoft for that automation and integration—making its products potentially valuable for technologists to learn.

According to a recent report by Forrester, companies that invest in MuleSoft Training see a 235 percent ROI, and developers complete projects 25 percent faster. In addition, trained and certified technical teams were able to reduce time spent in remediation by 75 percent. MuleSoft’s software allows these developers to build, deploy, and monitor APIs, as well as access a library of APIs and templates.

What is MuleSoft training?  

Like many software companies, MuleSoft offers its own hub for training and certification, complete with lots of documentation, guided walkthroughs, and access to technical experts. MuleSoft Training materials include courses for beginners and experts in the company’s software, including the Anypoint Platform, MuleSoft Composer and MuleSoft RPA. There are also a variety of certifications, including:

MuleSoft Training is designed to be outcomes-driven, with content tailored to developer, architect, operational and administrator roles to support every phase of the integration, automation and API management process.

For developers, MuleSoft Training materials focus on the design, building, testing, and deployment of APIs and integrations. For architects, the materials cover project-level and cross-project design decisions, as well as best practices for optimizing enterprise solutions.  

"And for operations leads, training covers planning, management, and troubleshooting knowledge, as well as best practices automating and streamlining the integration and deployment process," explains Georg Gottschalk, Mulesoft's vice president of training and certification.

Is MuleSoft easy or hard to learn?

With MuleSoft Training, technologists can choose the training format that best works for their schedules. Instructor-led training sessions are available, and those technologists who prefer self-learning (and hands-on practice) can work through the DIY exercises on their schedule.

Given all that material, are MuleSoft products easy or hard to learn? That depends on your existing experience level. If you’re a master of building and maintaining APIs, for instance, you’ll likely pick up on the fundamentals pretty quickly. If you have zero experience in APIs or enterprise integrations, though, it could take you a little more time to grasp the fundamental concepts.

Is MuleSoft worth learning?

According to Lightcast (formerly Emsi Burning Glass), which collects and analyzes millions of job postings from across the country, employers posted some 40,273 open jobs over the past 12 months that mentioned MuleSoft among the required skills. Moreover, Lightcast predicts that demand for these skills will increase 109 percent over the next two years.

Those stats suggest a relatively high level of demand for MuleSoft skills, which makes the company’s products worth learning. Jobs that ask for experience with this software also tend to ask for experience with Salesforce, Java, SQL, and the principles of software development, just to give you an idea of what else to learn if you decide to pursue this track.

How do I start MuleSoft training?

Gottschalk says technologists new to Mulesoft who really want to know the technology behind the company's integration platform should get started with the Anypoint Platform Development: Fundamentals course. The self-paced version of the course is free, but fee-based if you opt for an expert instructor; it provides developers and architects with hands-on experience using the Anypoint Platform to build APIs and integrations.

Upon completion, this course prepares an individual to take the MuleSoft Certified Developer - Level 1 exam. Each student automatically receives two attempts at the exam.

"If you’re a developer, architect or operations role and need to quickly solve a specific problem, go check out the 'Friends of Max' series on YouTube, connect with the MuleSoft Community, or dive into the MuleSoft Learning Library and take a mini-course on a specific subject," Gottschalk says.

The MuleSoft training modules are also updated on a regular basis, including the introduction of new certifications. “We recognize that continuous learning is now a professional and economic imperative to prepare for the future of work,” Gottschalk adds. “It’s an ongoing engagement that allows people on all levels to constantly learn new skills, deepen their abilities to drive integration and automation outcomes, engage with cool technology, and showcase their skills.”

Can I get a job after learning MuleSoft?

If you want a job that involves APIs and/or integrations, the answer to that question is “yes.” Many companies rely on the company's software, which means knowing how the products work will boost your chances of landing a position.

According to Lightcast, some 1.4 percent of software developer/engineer jobs ask for MuleSoft skills, which doesn’t seem like a lot until you consider the total number of developer/engineer jobs posted on a yearly basis (a tad under 500,000, if you want to be exact about it). Some 13.5 percent of CRM developer and Salesforce developer jobs also mention MuleSoft in their job postings. A fair number of network engineer and administrator positions request mastery of the company's software, as well.