JOURNEY
On the 8th of November 2021, I received the first notice regarding this AWS course. I was required to register for the course by Dr. Hairudin. After registering and skimming through the dashboard, I learned that there were 10 modules that I had to complete within a given time. Thus, I allocated my time wisely apart from other assignments and projects that I had to complete, to finish up the AWS course. According to the schedule I planned for myself, I started doing the first module of the course on the 20th of November 2021.
When I first started, I’ve only heard of AWS on social medias but have never gotten the chance to explore more about it. I only knew the basics such as AWS being a cloud computing service. Being confused and lost, the first module opened my eyes on what AWS really consists of and what it is truly about. Each and every module that I went through build up my interest towards the course and I was motivated to complete it. In order to get the AWS badge and certificate, I was required to complete all the modules to answer knowledge checks after each module, and complete the labs given. I was required to score at least 80/100 for each knowledge checks to pass. If I scored below the marks, I was given a chance to repeat the knowledge check to do better and learn where went wrong. Due to other commitments that I had, it took me weeks to complete the modules and I managed to get the badge on the 28th of December 2021.
REFLECTION
Summary
After nearly a month of sitting through the AWS course, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge on AWS and learned new things that I have never heard of. I believe that it was really worth my time sitting through the course. What I could summarize from the 10 modules that I sat through was that, I now know about the services that AWS offers and the pricings to use the services. It is interesting to know that AWS offers a billing dashboard to keep track of the cost of services a user is taking. Apart form that, I also learned about AWS Global Infrastructure, AWS shared responsibility model and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), which is used to manage access to AWS resources. Moreover, AWS also provides three fundamental services for networking and content delivery which are, Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC), Amazon Route 53, and Amazon CloudFront. There was a module that focused mainly on Amazon EC2, which is related to building virtual computing environment and a module that focused on cloud storage such as Amazon EBS, Amazon S3, Amazon EFS and Amazon Simple Storage Service Glacier. Last but not least, I managed to gain knowledge regarding the databases, cloud architecture and automatic scaling and monitoring.
Motivation to complete this project
I realize how important AWS is in the business world and it is a one-time opportunity that I have to undergo this course so I will not let the opportunity go to waste. I kept reminding myself that not everyone has the chance to know and learn deeper about AWS.
Opinion
In my opinion, getting the badge was easier than I expected. The videos and student guide provided really helped me to answer the knowledge checks. Additionally, the lab was easy to do as there are step-to-step guides on completing it. The only reason why it took me so long to finish the modules was because I had other assignments to commit to. The module that was the easiest for me to understand was surely the first module because I had some basic knowledge regarding AWS thus it didn’t take me long to understand the concepts. However, when I reached the modules at the end of the course, it got harder as I wasn’t used to and never heard of some terms such as load balancing, auto scaling and many more.
Despite all the challenges of completing the AWS course, I believe that everyone should grab a chance to obtain the AWS badge. The worth of an AWS badge is incomparable. This badge is what makes an employee stand out compared to others. Companies should start shifting in using the AWS Cloud Computing Services and start being amazed by the changes which benefits the company tremendously. Even big companies such as Intel uses AWS to save money and time. Hence, if every computer science student indulge themselves in learning AWS, it would surely profit the industry and aim to a more advanced country.
Advice
A piece of advice that I could give to those who haven't or are still struggling to finish up the AWS modules, it is preferable if you could at least grasp the basic idea of the whole course. Even though it might be hard to completely understand what was taught, having just enough knowledge to obtain a badge could already make you stand out compared to those you don't have it. It is also fair to keep in mind that the badge could be one of the keys in having a bright future.
Direction
Personally, having obtained the badge, I felt accomplished as a whole and I am becoming more motivated to explore around the topic of cloud computing and the services that I could apply once I am in the industry myself. I am dedicating myself to learn and make the best use of the knowledge that I've earned and not let it go to waste.
Feedback
Getting the badge was really worth the experience of undergoing the AWS course. I am grateful that this course is included in the SECP1513 subject and am hoping to learn more about topics like these.