Understanding AWS Cloud Principles and Key CharacteristicsUnderstanding AWS Cloud Principles and Key Characteristics
AWS launched a skill builder portal (https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/) which enhances the version of AWS’s training portal. AWS Skill builder has thousands of self-paced digital training and a learning path, as shown below.
You can pick any learning path you need and explore related digital courses. If you want classroom training, those are available in the AWS training portal; however, those may come with a price. AWS provides free cloud practitioner training in their skill center, where you can register and get instructor-led training for free. AWS has started its first free training center located in Seattle and planning to expand more in the coming months. If you have skill centers in your location, you can get benefits by registering on the AWS website directly https://aws.amazon.com/training/skills-centers/.
As we mentioned before, there’s quite a bit of overlap between the Associate-level certifications. In addition, the jump in difficulty between the Associate-level certificates and the Professional-level ones is quite steep.Its highly recommend sitting down for at least two, if not all three, of the Associate-level certifications before attempting the Professional-level certifications. Not only will this method prepares you for the professional certifications, but having multiple Associate certifications will make you stand out against others that only have one Associate-level certificate.
AWS recommends having one year of experience before taking the associate-level certifications and two years of experience before sitting for the professional-level certifications. This may seem like a catch-22 situation. How can you get experience if you are not certified? However, it’s a recommendation and not a mandatory requirement. This means that you can gain experience in training and study for the exam. You can do your project using an AWS free-tier account with pretty decent amounts of services available in the first year, and you can gain good hands-on experience. Now, let’s address some of the questions that frequently arise while preparing to take these certifications.