5 Months In The Cloud - My AWS Journey
Tags: aws, learningjourney, cloud
Published: 2022-10-01 13:26:21

It is the first day of the last quarter of the year; basically a good time to pause for some reflections!

I started exploring cloud computing and devOps in early May and in 5 months, I:
- graduated from the **Udacity Cloud DevOps Engineer nanodegree**,
- became an **AWS Community Builder**, and
- passed my **AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner** exam!

It may not be a big deal but it reminds me of my efforts; I did that with a full-time job I was dedicated to, and preparations for my postgraduate degree. 

Let's dive a little deeper, shall we?


![start.jpg](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664629185002/5rtnPU66w.jpg)

## 1) Udacity/ALX-T Scholarship program

I did not write a final article for my [#3MonthsOfCloudDevOps series](https://khairahscorner.hashnode.dev/series/cde-nd-studies), so it deserves the first highlight.

I cannot exactly remember when I signed up for the program but I do remember I was at a stage where I wanted to learn something new and pivot into a different area. Then, this opportunity showed up.

For about 3 months, I studied cloud computing concepts, worked on projects for the course and attended the technical sessions.

**July 31:** I successfully graduated from the nanodegree, after completing 3 main projects and the career services. I wrote a brief summary [here](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6959532024277688320/), but that's pretty much the gist.

After that, I knew I wanted to keep going.

![CDE-certificate.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664626900907/eHCzQNyYq.png)

## 2) AWS Community Builders Program
This was one of the several things I signed up for, whilst trying to challenge and "push myself out there". I officially joined the program in August and I probably got selected because of the articles I wrote for the [#3MonthsOfCloudDevOps](https://khairahscorner.hashnode.dev/series/cde-nd-studies) series. 

Either way, it felt thrilling.

### Perks of being a Community Builder
Apart from being able to connect in a global community and attend webinars, there are definitely quite a number of other benefits!

![Community Builders social 1024px ALT.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664627002985/lnRe-2-xs.png)

#### 1) FREE Swag!
> I mean, who doesn't love those?!

As a new community builder, you get a **welcome kit** full of **exclusive AWS Community Builders swag**!

Swags for my cohort have not been sent yet, but I absolutely cannot wait to receive it. 

#### 2) Cloud Academy Subscription
[Cloud Academy](https://cloudacademy.com/) is one of the leading global cloud learning platforms. As a community builder, you get **one year of subscription** which gives you access to all contents on the platform.

If  you ask me, that's the best idea for someone like me - a cloud newbie.

#### 3) AWS Credits
> What's an AWS community builder if you do not actually build on AWS?

Another perk of being a builder is that you get **$500 worth of AWS credits** to help you learn and experiment with new (and existing) AWS services. It typically expires within a year or so, regardless of when you claim it. 

#### 4) Certification Exam Vouchers
As a community builder, you get to claim **one voucher** per 12 months to take a certification exam **100% FREE**!

The exam can be of Foundational, Associate, or Professional/Specialty levels.

> There are other benefits, but these ones seal the deal!

> You can click [here](https://aws.amazon.com/developer/community/community-builders/) to learn more about the program and how to join.

## 3) AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) Exam
If you recall from [one of my posts](https://khairahscorner.hashnode.dev/week-5-more-on-aws-architectures#heading-day-32-get-aws-certified-sub-saharan-africa-cloud-practitioner-challenge), I mentioned the _**"Get AWS Certified Sub-Saharan Africa - Cloud Practitioner Challenge"**_.

Thanks to the challenge, I was able to claim a 100% voucher for my CCP exam in June.
After finishing the nanodegree, I was unavoidably preoccupied and felt too stressed to take the exam in August. 

I eventually scheduled for September and prepared with free materials and digital trainings on [AWS Skill Builder](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/home). I also attended a virtual classroom live for the [AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials](https://www.aws.training/SessionSearch?pageNumber=1&courseId=17675) course, and another for the [Exam Readiness](https://www.aws.training/SessionSearch?pageNumber=1&courseId=90741&languageId=1).

Being the *"over-worrying over every detail"* type, I ensured to also go through the available guides; the [exam guide](https://d1.awsstatic.com/training-and-certification/docs-cloud-practitioner/AWS-Certified-Cloud-Practitioner_Exam-Guide.pdf) as well as the [Ramp-up guide](https://d1.awsstatic.com/training-and-certification/ramp-up_guides/Ramp-Up_Guide_Cloud_Essentials.pdf). The latter was especially useful since it included links to different resources.

I felt quite prepared until I was hit with technical difficulties on the scheduled day. It was pretty nerve-wracking, but I was eventually able to reschedule the exam at zero cost. 
> Special thanks to Kimberly on the PSI technical support team as well as the candidate support rep. that attended to my queries via phone.

A week later, I [**passed the exam**](https://www.credly.com/badges/0d885cd2-fc45-49df-a338-920b8c317554)! Although the overall score could have been better, the breakdown report reassured me that I was on the right path.

![Screenshot from 2022-10-01 13-45-56.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664628409846/bbM0ldCzO.png)

_________
**So that's pretty much it!**

August and September was a rollercoaster, and this last quarter is not going to be any different.

However, I plan to keep making progress so I can successfully secure my first devOps role, and eventually look back at where it all started.

> ***May 2022.***