My Cloud Computing Journey: Earning My First Badge!

Introduction

I’ve always been curious about cloud computing, but my real deep dive began when I was exploring website hosting options. I initially used platforms like Netlify and Vercel, but then I stumbled upon AWS Amplify. The experience was eye-opening—it was seamless, powerful, and gave me more control over my deployment process. This sparked my interest in learning more about cloud computing beyond just hosting.

To build a solid foundation, I enrolled in an Introduction to Cloud Computing course, and I’m excited to share that I’ve just earned my first badge! 🚀 This blog marks the beginning of my cloud computing journey, where I’ll document what I learn, the challenges I face, and the milestones I achieve. If you're also starting in cloud computing, I hope my journey helps you somehow.

What I Learned in the Introduction to Cloud Computing Course

Overview of Key Topics

Cloud computing is revolutionizing technology, and this course covered fundamental concepts that provided me with a solid understanding. Here are some key topics I explored:

1. Cloud Service Models

Cloud computing is divided into three main service models, each serving different user needs:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – Provides virtualized computing resources like servers, storage, and networking. Users have more control over configurations. (Example: AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine)
Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Offers a platform for developers to build, test, and deploy applications without managing underlying infrastructure. (Example: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine)
Software as a Service (SaaS) – Delivers ready-to-use applications over the internet. (Example: Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Dropbox)

2. Cloud Deployment Models

Cloud services can be deployed in different environments based on user needs:

Public Cloud – Owned and operated by cloud providers, accessible to anyone (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
Private Cloud – Used exclusively by a single organization for enhanced security and control.
Hybrid Cloud – A combination of public and private clouds, offering flexibility and scalability.

3. Key Benefits of Cloud Computing

The course highlighted several advantages of cloud computing, including:

✅ Scalability – Resources can be adjusted based on demand.
✅ Cost Efficiency – Pay-as-you-go pricing reduces upfront costs.
✅ Flexibility – Access services from anywhere with an internet connection.
✅ Security – Cloud providers implement high-level security measures.
✅ Automatic Updates – Software and security patches are managed by the provider.

Interesting Insights and Takeaways

💡 Cloud computing is everywhere: From streaming services like Netflix to AI-powered chatbots, the cloud powers many of the technologies we use daily.

💡 Security is a shared responsibility: While cloud providers secure infrastructure, users must manage data protection, access control, and compliance.

💡 Cloud computing is not just for businesses: Individuals can benefit too—whether through online storage (Google Drive), virtual machines (AWS EC2), or AI-powered tools.

💡 The cloud enables rapid innovation: Startups and enterprises can quickly experiment, launch, and scale new ideas without heavy upfront investments.

My Experience Taking the Course

Challenges I Faced

Learning about cloud computing was exciting, but it came with its own challenges. Some concepts—especially around cloud security and infrastructure—were complex at first. However, breaking them down into smaller sections and revisiting my notes helped a lot.

How I Stayed Motivated

Setting small goals: Completing each module felt like an achievement.
Joining communities: Engaging with others in learning cloud computing kept me inspired.
Thinking about real-world applications: Seeing how cloud computing is used in businesses and tech startups helped me stay engaged.

How I Took Notes

Taking structured notes helped me retain information better. I focused on:

Summarizing key concepts
Highlighting important cloud terminologies
Writing down real-world examples for better understanding

My Next Steps in Cloud Computing

Next Steps in My AWS Learning Journey

As I continue exploring AWS and cloud computing, these are the next steps I’ll be taking moving forward:

✅ Join the AWS Talent Community – This will help me stay updated on AWS job opportunities and training resources. It also gives me access to onboarding materials and networking with other cloud professionals.

✅ Complete AWS Educate Learning Paths – I plan to take advantage of the free courses on AWS Educate to strengthen my cloud skills.

✅ Work Towards AWS Certifications – My focus will be on:

AWS Cloud Practitioner – To build a solid foundation in cloud concepts.
AWS Solutions Architect Associate – To gain skills in designing scalable and reliable cloud solutions.

✅ Engage in Hands-on Labs & Projects – Learning by doing is key, so I’ll be working on AWS projects to apply my knowledge.

✅ Use AWS Cost Management Tools – I’ll explore features like spend summary, month-to-date usage, and top free-tier services by usage to track my cloud expenses efficiently.

✅ Leverage AWS Alerts & Notifications – Setting up alerts will help me monitor my usage and avoid unexpected charges.

✅ Network with Other AWS Learners & Professionals – Connecting with peers will help me stay motivated and learn from experienced cloud engineers.

This structured approach will ensure I make steady progress in my AWS learning journey. I’m excited about the possibilities ahead! 🚀

Final Thoughts

If you're just starting out in cloud computing as I am, don’t feel overwhelmed—everyone starts somewhere! The key is to take small steps, build a strong foundation, and stay curious. Cloud computing is a vast and exciting field with endless opportunities.

I’ll continue sharing my learning journey, challenges, and insights along the way. I will be sharing my journey in blogs from time to time. If you're also learning about cloud computing, let’s connect and grow together! 😊🚀 I will be sharing my journey on this blog from time to time.

My Cloud Computing Journey: Earning My First Badge & Lessons Learned