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

Greetings! I’m Joshua Hlanyane, an AWS Educate Learner Advocate passionate about empowering the next generation of cloud professionals. Through my journey learning AWS 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 AWS 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 AWS 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 (AWS), 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 AWS 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 AWS 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 AWS environments—all without needing a credit card!

They break down the complex stuff.

Cloud computing can sound super intimidating, but AWS 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 AWS Cloud Essentials course on AWS Skill Builder, which explains the absolute basics in a way that finally clicked for me.

Some of my friends are really focused on becoming AWS 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 AWS 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 AWS 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. AWS 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).

AWS 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. AWS 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 AWS Educate earns you an invitation to the AWS Emerging Talent Community, where there are opportunities to earn points for things like discounted AWS 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 AWS 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 AWS Skill Builder is there to support your continuous learning journey, offering its own rewards and recognition!

Register for AWS Educate and start your cloud journey today!

Trust me on this one!