My Journey to Cloud: Upskilling from legacy to AWS Cloud Practitioner
Published: 2024-01-15 05:23:58

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, staying relevant and adaptable is crucial for professionals. For those entrenched in legacy systems, transitioning to modern cloud architectures can be both daunting and exhilarating. This blog post explores my personal journey from working on legacy HP NonStop systems technology to upskilling in AWS cloud, and as a first step achieving the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification.

The transition to cloud technology began with a desire to upskill and embrace the future at the start of 2023. Enrolling in an upskilling program within the organization for AWS cloud marked the starting point of a transformative journey.

Without a background or mentor in cloud technology, the logical first step was to undertake the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam. This foundational certification provides a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts of AWS cloud.

There are infinite number of resources available on internet. The steps taken by me to gain knowledge are as below.

**Online Sessions on Pluralsight:**
To grasp the fundamentals, the journey commenced with online sessions on Pluralsight led by David Tucker. I completed following sessions:
1. "Fundamental Cloud Concepts for AWS" 
2. "Understanding AWS Core Services" 
3. "AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Exam Prep"

**AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials Day:**
I attended the AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials Day organized by AWS. This immersive experience provided insights and hands-on exposure to essential AWS cloud concepts.

**Cloud Learning Adventure with AWS Cloud Quest:**
AWS Cloud Quest for Cloud Practitioner is a dynamic and engaging approach brought an element of gamification to the process, making the journey both educational and enjoyable.

**Hands-On Labs with Free Tier Account:**
Practical experience is most important in the cloud journey. I created a free tier account which allowed for hands-on exploration of AWS services through various labs and improved theoretical knowledge and provided a deeper understanding of cloud concepts.

**Sign up for AWS Skill Builder:**
AWS Skill Builder is an invaluable online learning center offering over 600 free, on-demand courses. This platform provides role- and domain-specific learning plans accompanied by digital badges, standard Exam Prep courses, AWS Certification Official Question Sets, AWS Cloud Quest, and more. Access to this resource enhances your understanding of AWS concepts and reinforces your exam readiness.

**Timely Exam Registration and Success:**
With confidence built through comprehensive learning, registering for the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam was the next logical step. Without delay, the exam was taken in March 2023 and successfully passed, marking the culmination of the initial phase of the cloud journey.

One of the most common questions I encountered on the path to AWS certification is, "How long does it take to study and pass these exams?" The honest answer is, "it depends." The duration of preparation varies significantly and is influenced by factors such as prior experience with AWS Cloud, the availability of study time, and individual proficiency in test-taking. Candidates typically invest several weeks to a few months preparing for these exams. Therefore, it is essential to allocate dedicated study time, leverage the resources mentioned earlier, and regularly assess progress to ensure readiness for the exams.

For me AWS Certification has proven to be a catalyst for professional growth and has opened doors that seemed unreachable initially. As you embark on or continue your journey towards AWS Certification, remember that dedication, strategic preparation, and a belief in the value of your efforts will propel you towards success. Best of luck on your AWS Certification journey!

Useful links:
[AWS Certification path](https://d1.awsstatic.com/training-and-certification/docs/AWS_certification_paths.pdf)
[AWS Skill Builder](https://skillbuilder.aws/)
[AWS Certification](https://aws.amazon.com/certification)
[AWS Free Tier](https://aws.amazon.com/free/)
[AWS Technical Essentials](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/course/external/view/elearning/1851/aws-technical-essentials?trk=810a2056-c993-4832-af32-11286cad694c&sc_channel=el)
[AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/course/external/view/elearning/134/aws-cloud-practitioner-essentials)
[Pluralsight](https://www.pluralsight.com/)