A few months ago, I found myself deep into learning data science, building machine learning models and data pipelines. But every now and then, I’d hit a wall: how do I deploy something in the real world? And how do I make sure it scales if five clients suddenly become 500? All roads seemed to lead to one thing: the cloud.
My First Look at AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) felt like this giant toolbox that’s packed with everything from virtual machines to databases, queues, AI services, and more. At first it felt really overwhelming. Opening up the AWS console felt like being a kid let loose in a candy store: all those tempting options made my head spin, and I had no idea where to start! It soon dawned on me that to truly enjoy this ‘candy store’, I needed some guidance, and pursuing a certification felt like a smart way to get that.
But Why Get Certified at All?
Here’s my thinking:
- Structure: There’s so much to learn with AWS, and certification forces you to learn the fundamentals in a focused way—like IAM, EC2, S3, networking, storage, security, and architecture.
- Credibility: Whether I freelance, consult, or join a team, having that AWS badge shows I’m not just clicking buttons in the console, but that I understand how this stuff actually works.
- Confidence: I want to be the guy who knows why something’s not working, not just someone who tries five random fixes and hopes one of them works.
- Adding Value: Becoming AWS certified will allow me to offer a broader range of services to my clients, from building end-to-end data solutions on the cloud to optimizing existing AWS infrastructure for data science workloads.
My Focus: Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03)
I chose the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification because it feels like the best balance between hands-on tech and big-picture thinking. It covers how to design systems that are scalable, cost-effective, and secure - skills that are invaluable in any business.
Where I’m Starting From
Just to be clear: I’m not coming from a traditional tech background. I’m a Chartered Accountant by training, with several years of commercial business experience, and I’ve recently stepped into the fascinating world of data science. Beyond that, I’m simply someone who loves figuring things out. I know Python and SQL, I’ve built apps with Django, and I’m learning AWS as I go. Adding cloud credentials to my toolkit means I know how to extend my solutions beyond my personal laptop and translate my data insights and business acumen into scalable, cloud-native solutions that deliver tangible value to clients.
My goal isn’t to become a specialist cloud architect, but rather to gain a strong enough understanding of AWS to guide my clients in leveraging the cloud effectively. This knowledge will ensure that the data science products I offer are not only insightful but also readily available, secure, and performant, allowing me to deliver a comprehensive and valuable service.
Not Just for Big Tech
One thing that’s become clear to me is that AWS isn’t just for large corporates or multinationals. Many of the same tools that power large global companies are equally accessible (and valuable) to small and medium-sized businesses across all industries. Whether it’s automating routine tasks, improving data security, or scaling customer-facing applications, the cloud opens up a world of possibilities for SMEs looking to grow smarter, not just bigger. Part of what excites me about learning AWS is being able to bring that same level of innovation and efficiency to smaller clients who want to punch above their weight.
Explore the Series: AWS Unpacked
This post kicks off a growing collection of AWS-focused blog posts I’m calling AWS Unpacked: a practical, hands-on series where I share what I’m learning as I work toward the Solutions Architect Associate certification. From tricky topics to real-world applications, I’ll be breaking down key concepts and exploring how they apply in data projects and beyond.
You can find the full AWS Unpacked series on my website. If you’re also diving into AWS (or already certified), I’d love to hear from you.