This post was updated in July 2020. It was originally my first post on this blog in December 2016. 👴

I’m often asked by many colleagues, friends, or Twitter followers where to start with Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this post, I will try to explain where you should start in 2020.

I’ll try to write this post as I wish I had in 2016 when I came into this technology.

Basically, with the number of AWS Services today (197 top-level services (April 2020)), you will need to find your path and specialty, you will not become “an” AWS expert. It’s not possible, or you will be a generalist expert…

As in the ancient world, you were not an expert in: database administration, networking, hardware, OS, backups, or load-balancers. Same here for AWS, except there are even more available tools and services and counting.

AWS is an awesome big toolbox, made of a myriad of building blocks, it’s the philosophy: API first building blocks, pay as you go model, with a worldwide footprint. It is by far the most used Cloud Service Provider (CSP), with a market share of more than 60% in 2020.

Market Share CSP

🚀 Jumpstart

To start with AWS, I think you should follow where I started a few years ago, I had attended an AWSomeDay (in-person event), an introduction to AWS. The physical version, especially in our pandemic / lockdown period does not exist anymore, but a similar online presentation exists, or replay/equivalent versions on Youtube.

🏃Your path

Path

Next, you will need to find your learning path, there is already a bunch of available learning path from AWS.

Follow the recommended readiness for your path, e-learning, and complete with a certification if your goal is to go professional in this direction.

📺 E-Learning

Complete the official learning paths by a third party e-learning platform, using one of your favorite platform:

📖 Community & Reading list

Today, I’m still using RSS feeds, with Feedly, with a large number of blogs and well-known writers. Few of them below.

💌 Newsletters

In 2020, there is a come back on Newsletters, a good way to get a digest summary of what happening on AWS topics once a week, into your mailbox without notifications fatigue.

🎧 Podcasts & Audio books

If you are commuting a lot, a good way to stay updated during this “waste” of time, is to listen to podcasts or audiobooks.

:family: AWS & Community events

I highly recommend to participating in “in-person” meetings and events, you will find below the nearest events available.

👨‍🔬 Experiment using Labs

Create your free-tier account, and experiment, experiment, experiment.

🐦 Useful Twitter accounts

Twitter is my main tool to get the latest news on AWS area. Set up alerts on accounts you found relevant to your interests. (but disable Twitter App Push Notifications)

🎥 Videos channels

Nowadays, a large part of events and conferences are also available for free on Youtube or Twitch.

Finally, if you are still alive a the end of the magic receipt, you may change your mind and open a guest house into the wild. I can understand, I plan to do the same. 🐑🐑🐑

Overload

:repeat: Call to actions

If you found it relevant, please share it with your audience or colleagues who want to jump-start on AWS in 2020.

On any interesting links, please feel free to add in comments, I’ll keep it updated with your feedback.

That’s all folks!

zoph.