Introduction: My First Steps Into the Cloud

Hey curious reader! I wholeheartedly welcome you to my first-ever blog on this platform. This blog is about how I began my journey into AWS, starting from knowing nothing to gradually learning about it and surrounding myself with fellow AWS enthusiasts. It highlights how community learning, or learning in public, enhances our core knowledge of a subject.

Before the Cloud: What I Didn’t Know About AWS

During the initial days of my Bachelor's in Information Technology, my main goal was to explore as many technologies related to software development as I could.

One of them was AWS!

The only information I had about AWS at that point was that it stood for Amazon Web Services—nothing beyond that. But one event changed everything for me.

The Turning Point: Discovering the AWS Community

On a random day in April 2023, while scrolling through LinkedIn, I came across a post by AWS User Group Delhi NCR about their first-ever offline meetup post-COVID at Amazon's office in Gurugram.

I felt it was a great opportunity to learn about AWS and career opportunities in this field.

(Of course, one of my motives was to visit the Amazon office 😉)

So I quickly registered for the event along with my friend Vridhi Duggal and eagerly waited for the day to arrive.

The Community Event: A Game Changer

Finally, the day arrived—5 May 2023. My friend and I reached the AWS office, and the first thing that mesmerized us was the office itself. The modern structure, along with the tech-inspired surroundings and interiors, motivated me to learn AWS and sparked a dream of working in that same office someday.

The meetup began with a fun and engaging opening keynote, followed by interactive sessions on AWS services led by the hosts. The lineup of speakers included intellectual professionals such as AWS employees, AWS Heroes, AWS Community Builders, and leaders from the user group itself.

Honestly, everything discussed in those sessions was new to me, and I began to doubt whether I should continue exploring the cloud or move on to something else. Fast-forward to the lunch break, where I had the chance to interact with the hosts and speakers face-to-face.

One memorable interaction was with Mrs. Dipali Kulshreshta. I remember asking her, "Is Cloud Computing rocket science?" Her response gave me the motivation and spark to explore the cloud field in detail:

"Only rocket science is rocket science. The more you try and fail in this, the more you get to know what AWS Cloud really is." - Dipali Kulshreshta

After a couple of sessions post-lunch, the event concluded. At the end, I had the chance to interact with Mr. Rajat Arora. I asked him about resources to learn AWS and where I should start. He immediately provided me with links and the names of online resources to begin my journey.

Some moments from the inaugural meetup:

Starting the Journey: My First Steps in AWS

The very next day after the meetup, I signed up and successfully created my account on AWS. I went through all the resources provided by Mr. Rajat and also explored some YouTube videos.

My major focus was to learn the basics first and get a brief understanding of various AWS services, without diving too deep into the details.

After exploring, I concluded that one of the best ways to learn about AWS and its various services is by preparing for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.

After a few months of preparation, I cracked the exam on my first attempt.

Closing Thoughts: Advice to Aspiring Cloud Learners

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog. If you are new to the tech world or want to transition into the cloud, I suggest you join nearby cloud communities and interact with fellow cloud enthusiasts and professionals. Remember, communication and networking are key. Always try to interact and stay curious during these interactions.

Follow their advice and learn from their experiences. Explore more about these technologies and create your own Cloud Story.

I would love to hear about your cloud journey in the comment section. I am also open to any feedback—your feedback will help me improve my blogging journey.

Don’t forget to show some love by liking and following if you enjoyed this post.

What’s Next:

In my next blog, I will share some resources and tips on how to prepare for and ace your AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. Make sure to follow my blog page for future updates.

Happy learning!