☁️ Flight into the Cloud — My AWS Cloud Practitioner Journey

Ever heard of someone in HR getting excited about cloud computing? Well, that someone is me! As an HR professional for almost two years, my days are filled with resumes, interviews, and navigating the ever-changing world of employee relations. But lately, a new frontier has piqued my curiosity: the cloud.

So, what exactly is cloud computing, and why is it such a game-changer?

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet. These services include servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence. This allows for faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale while still minimizing capital expenses. Instead of owning and maintaining physical data centers and servers, companies can access these services on an as-needed basis from a cloud provider.

One of the leading cloud service providers is Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS offers a comprehensive and widely adopted cloud platform with over 200 fully-featured services from data centers globally. AWS helps businesses of all sizes and across all industries to benefit from technologies that were previously out of reach or too expensive to maintain. At Ingenuity, we’ve already seen AWS’s reliable and effective services in action for several clients and projects.

AWS, and cloud computing as a whole, can provide various advantages to HR departments [1]:

• Data Storage and Security: AWS offers robust data storage solutions that ensure sensitive HR data is securely stored and easily accessible.
• Talent Acquisition: Cloud-based recruitment tools hosted on AWS can streamline hiring processes with advanced analytics and AI-driven insights.
• HR Analytics: AWS supports sophisticated HR analytics, enabling more informed decision-making through better insights into workforce trends.
• Employee Engagement and Training: Platforms hosted on AWS can facilitate employee engagement, onboarding, and continuous learning initiatives.

As an HR professional, understanding cloud technology like AWS can empower you to streamline processes and select the best solutions to support your team. This knowledge allows HR to become a strategic partner in leveraging technology for business growth.

Conquering the AWS CCP Exam

Conquering the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) exam wasn’t easy, but with the right resources, the journey became manageable. I started with Stephane Maarek’s Udemy course, “Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02,” which is highly recommended by my colleagues and even by the folks in forums. This 15-hour course offered interactive short quizzes and hands-on video, helping solidify my understanding of cloud computing and AWS Cloud.

Note-taking was invaluable. I used Notion to capture key points from the lectures, creating a personalized reference guide. Additionally, the mind map of AWS CCP concepts from kananinirav.com was an incredibly helpful visual tool, providing a clear overview of the key AWS concepts.

Testing my knowledge with practice exams on Udemy was another crucial step. These mock exams helped identify areas needing extra focus and boosted my confidence before the real exam.

Truth to be told, as an HR professional, much of the technical aspects of cloud infrastructure, particularly networking and security, were challenging. However, the right study tools, along with some crash courses from my developer colleagues, helped me succeed.

Exam Day and Beyond

Taking the online AWS Cloud Practitioner exam was memorable. I was nervous, especially since I had to retake the exam due to a technical error during my first attempt. However, the second time around went smoothly. A quiet, conducive setting helped me focus.

During the exam, I flagged items that needed review and revisited them until I was confident in my answers. My best tip is to focus on what’s being asked, use the process of elimination to weed out distractor items, and carefully analyze the context of each question.

When I saw the message that I had passed, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and excitement. Although I couldn’t immediately share my joy or take a screenshot, waiting for the official certification to arrive in my email made the moment even sweeter.

Obtaining the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification has significantly enhanced my professional profile. It has deepened my understanding of cloud technology, which is not just the future but the present of business operations. This knowledge has opened up numerous opportunities to enhance HR systems and tools through cloud-based solutions, positioning me to better support our growing workforce and drive innovation within our HR department.

Conclusion

In summary, diving into cloud computing and obtaining the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification has been a transformative journey. The key takeaways from my experience include:

• Enhanced Knowledge: Gaining a deep understanding of cloud technology and how it can revolutionize HR functions.
• Practical Skills: Learning, at a foundational level, how to use AWS services to streamline HR processes, improve data security, and enhance employee engagement and training.
• Professional Growth: Adding a valuable credential to my profile, which positions me to better support and drive innovation within our HR department.

I encourage other HR professionals to consider pursuing cloud certifications. Understanding cloud technology isn’t just for IT anymore — it’s a strategic advantage that can empower you to improve HR processes and contribute more effectively to your organization.

As for my future cloud learning goals, I’m planning to explore other cloud service providers, particularly Google Cloud Platform. The journey into the cloud is ongoing, and I’m excited about the endless possibilities it offers for personal and professional growth.

Author: Bob Villarin, Head of HR at Ingenuity