Yamin Cloud Journey
Getting started with AWS

Getting started with AWS

My journey to becoming AWS certified and the resources that helped me succeed.

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Yamin Leyton
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3 min read

Table of contents

Embarking on my AWS Cloud journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life. It’s a journey filled with learning, hands-on practice, and the thrill of seeing tangible results. In this blog post, I’ll share how I navigated the process of becoming an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and how dedicating myself to this field has opened up exciting opportunities.

Getting Started: Why AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been at the forefront of cloud computing for years. Its vast array of services and global presence make it an essential skill for anyone looking to excel in technology. I was drawn to AWS because it provided a platform to build, experiment, and innovate—all while being supported by extensive documentation and resources.

The Certification Goal

When I decided to pursue the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, I knew I needed a structured approach to succeed. Here’s how I broke it down:

1. Understanding the Exam Scope

I started by reviewing the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide. It outlined the key domains:

  • Cloud concepts

  • Security and compliance

  • Technology

  • Billing and pricing

2. Selecting Study Resources

I chose a mix of resources that catered to different learning styles:

  • Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy provided comprehensive video lessons.

  • AWS Free Tier: Hands-on practice with real services made the concepts stick.

  • Practice Exams: I used exam simulators to gauge my readiness and identify weak areas.

  • Make an app: Using Amazon PartyRock I made a Cloud Practitioner Study App which was super helpful!

3. Daily Study Routine

I committed to studying for 2-3 hours each day, balancing theory with practical exercises. Reviewing AWS Whitepapers, such as the "Well-Architected Framework," gave me deeper insights.

Diving Into Projects

To reinforce my knowledge, I started building projects. This was where the magic happened! These projects not only helped solidify my understanding but also gave me tangible work to showcase.

Key Projects:

  1. Static Website Hosting with S3

    • Set up a fully functional static website on Amazon S3, integrated with CloudFront for distribution and Route 53 for domain management.

  2. Serverless Application with DynamoDB and Lambda

    • Built a serverless backend to process and store user data, gaining hands-on experience with AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, and API Gateway.

  3. IAM Policies and Security

    • Experimented with Identity and Access Management (IAM) to control resource access securely.

Time Investment:

I dedicated 4-5 hours daily to these projects, often diving into AWS documentation and forums for troubleshooting.

Passing the Certification Exam

After weeks of preparation and practice, I scheduled my exam. Here are some tips that helped me succeed:

  • Review Key Services: Focus on services like EC2, S3, RDS, and IAM.

  • Take Practice Tests: These highlighted my weak points and boosted my confidence.

  • Understand the Why: Don’t just memorize—understand why a solution works in a given scenario.

When I saw the "Pass" message at the end of the exam, it was a moment of pride and validation for all the hard work.

Lessons Learned and Next Steps

  1. Consistent Learning: Cloud computing is constantly evolving. Staying up-to-date is essential.

  2. Hands-On Practice: There’s no substitute for building and breaking things in a safe environment.

  3. Community Matters: Engaging with the AWS community, through forums or meetups, provided support and inspiration.

My next goal is to earn the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification and continue building more complex projects.

Final Thoughts

Starting my AWS Cloud journey has been transformative. The combination of structured studying, hands-on projects, and consistent effort has not only helped me earn a certification but also deepened my understanding of cloud computing. I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and contributing to this dynamic field.

If you’re just beginning your cloud journey, remember: persistence and curiosity are your greatest tools. Dive in, build something, and don’t be afraid to fail—each mistake is a step closer to mastery.

Good luck on your cloud journey!

Cloud ComputingAWSAWS Certified Cloud Practitioner