Need Overall Advice

[Alim83]

I would go for the masters. You already have your foot in the IT-door, so you're working on the experience front. Get a few certs and try to crossover into cloud/cyber while pursuing your master's.

I'm inclined to this, I'm thinking of getting a Network cert, and a Linux cert then focusing on Azure as that's what I find more prevalent in my vicinity.
Going through this study plan for the cloud.
https://www.madebygps.com/cloudcamp/

honestly, if I find a company that's willing to pay for it... I might just take them up on the offer.