Level up your skills: Why everyone’s talking about Amazon Web Services Educate (and you should, too!)

Greetings! I’m Joshua Hlanyane, an Amazon Web Services Educate Learner Advocate passionate about empowering the next generation of cloud professionals. Through my journey learning Amazon Web Services across their various educational platforms, I’ve gained valuable insights into what works—and what doesn’t—when starting your cloud computing journey. Today, I’m excited to share practical recommendations that can help smooth your path into the Amazon Web Services Cloud.

Let’s be honest, getting started in tech can feel overwhelming. When I first began exploring cloud computing, the landscape seemed impossibly vast. I vividly remember staring at the command line interface, feeling like I was decoding an ancient script! But discovering Amazon Web Services Educate changed everything for me. This platform turned what felt like an insurmountable challenge into a structured, achievable journey, and I’m here to show you how it can do the same for you.

What’s so cool about it? Well, it’s an easy-to-use, totally free hub of knowledge all about Amazon Web Services (Amazon Web Services), the same cloud platform that powers so much of the internet! And the best part? It’s designed for cloud beginners like me, people who are just starting to explore this whole new world.

I’ve been seeing more and more classmates and even online communities buzzing about Amazon Web Services Educate. So, here’s why I think it’s catching fire and why you should absolutely check it out.

It’s free! Seriously.

As students, our budgets can be… limited. The fact that Amazon Web Services Educate offers so many learning resources without costing any money is huge. We’re talking courses, tutorials, even the chance to play around in actual Amazon Web Services environments—all without needing a credit card!

They break down the complex stuff.

Cloud computing can sound super intimidating, but Amazon Web Services Educate does an amazing job of explaining things clearly. They have different Cloud Career Pathways that guide you step-by-step through specific roles, so you’re not just learning random bits of information. It feels structured and actually achievable. For example, the Cloud Career Pathway led me to dive into the Getting Started with Amazon Web Services Cloud Essentials course on Amazon Web Services Skill Builder, which explains the absolute basics in a way that finally clicked for me.

Some of my friends are really focused on becoming Amazon Web Services Cloud Operators and are deep into that specific pathway, learning about managing and maintaining cloud infrastructure. Others I know are passionate about data and are exploring the Amazon Web Services Data Engineer pathway, which teaches you how to design and build data pipelines in the cloud—super relevant in today’s world! What’s really cool is that they even have courses on cutting-edge stuff like Introduction to Generative AI on Amazon Web Services and pathways focused on things like cybersecurity, building serverless applications, and so much more. There’s something for everyone’s interests and career goals.

Hands-on learning is where it’s at.

Reading about the cloud is one thing, but actually doing stuff is another level. Amazon Web Services Educate gives you access to labs where you can get your hands dirty and build things. This practical experience is invaluable—it’s not just theory, it’s real skills you can use.

It’s like a game (kind of).

Amazon Web Services Educate has these cool points and badges you earn as you complete activities and modules. It’s a fun way to track your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. Plus, sometimes there are even leaderboards within certain courses, which adds a bit of friendly competition. It definitely motivates me to keep learning and exploring.

It opens doors to the future.

Everyone’s talking about cloud careers, and it’s clear this is where a lot of the opportunities are going to be. Amazon Web Services Educate isn’t just about learning; it’s about setting yourself up for the future. They even have a job board (for those of us 18+) with postings to internships and entry-level roles!

You earn credibility.

As you work through the pathways, you can earn digital badges. These are awesome for showing potential employers (or even just yourself) what you’ve learned. Plus, completing work in Amazon Web Services Educate earns you an invitation to the Amazon Web Services Emerging Talent Community, where there are opportunities to earn points for things like discounted Amazon Web Services Certification vouchers and other rewards—that’s a major boost for your resume!

Ready to level up?

If you’re a student looking to understand the cloud, build valuable skills, and maybe even kickstart your tech career, you seriously need to check out Amazon Web Services Educate. It’s free, it’s engaging, and it’s empowering a whole generation of us to become cloud experts. And as you grow your skills, remember that Amazon Web Services Skill Builder is there to support your continuous learning journey, offering its own rewards and recognition!

Trust me on this one!