AWS is a collection of distributed Cloud computing services available through Amazon. These services will range from simple tasks like web hosting and database back services to complex AI training programs and distributed cybersecurity work. The number of options for learning AWS might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from; it all depends on your learning style and personal preferences.
Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning AWS so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started.
What is AWS?
Released to the public in 2002, Amazon Web Services is the most commonly used Cloud Computing Platform among individuals, corporations, and public-sector organizations. AWS encompasses a wide range of services. As of 2022, this includes more than two hundred distinct services, including cloud data storage, database management, data analytics, machine learning, and distributed computing services, and the number of services available is only set to continue growing as Amazon expands its computing capabilities. At the time of writing, Amazon Web Services is the leader in Cloud infrastructure services with a 33% market share, more than its two primary competitors (Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud) combined.
Amazon Web Services is an incredibly trusted Cloud computing service and counts among its clients NASA, Netflix, the Department of Defense, and Bloomberg. Amazon Web Services is such a trusted network in terms of reliability and security that the UK’s Ministry of Defense and the MI:5 and MI:6 intelligence agencies have contracted AWS to host classified information. This level of security and coverage means that learning AWS will also be a vital part of a cybersecurity curriculum, as many organizations and institutions use the service to store sensitive data and information. Regardless of what aspect of the world of computer science you work in, it is very likely that you will interact with AWS in a meaningful capacity.
Read more about what AWS is and why you should learn it.
What Can You Do with AWS?
Given that AWS is a collection of over two hundred different cloud computing services, there are an almost endless number of different things you can do through AWS. On an enterprise level, AWS allows organizations and businesses to host and store huge amounts of data and utilize Amazon’s various data analysis tools to interpret, catalog, and use that data. AWS also allows groups to take advantage of Amazon’s computer infrastructure to train machine learning programs or assist in web development. AWS is also a common-hosting platform for web applications.
AWS is also used in a wide variety of different contexts outside of the world of business. It is such a versatile service that companies and organizations have found ways to tailor AWS services to their needs. The NFL uses AWS for advanced statistical analysis and data-driven sports science, and MI:6 uses the same platform to store classified information of vital national security interest. The versatility of the services offered by AWS lets the same users building machine learning algorithms host those tools for companies wanting to perform significant data analytics projects. As the AWS cloud computing platform grows, so does the scope of projects it can handle.
In-Person AWS Training
Many people find the best way to learn a new skill is through live, in-person instruction. These classes place students into a dedicated learning environment and pair them with expert instructors who can guide them through the challenges of learning AWS. These courses give participants access to onsite tech labs and places them in a classroom with a cohort of like-minded peers, which can provide valuable networking opportunities. The drawback to these classes is that since they are taught at physical locations, students will only be able to enroll in courses they can attend in person. Anyone interested should consider utilizing Noble’s Classes Near Me tool to find out what in-person AWS courses are available in their area.
Noble Desktop offers a wide range of in-person AWS courses at their private training campus in Manhattan. Students who can commute to NYC can come to learn from expert instructors in a state-of-the-art computer lab. These classes are a great way to get guided, hands-on AWS training that will pay long-term dividends for your career prospects. Students who don’t live in the Manhattan area may want to look at the courses offered by other service providers such as SkillSpire in Seattle or Pragra in Toronto.
Live Online AWS Training
Students who want to learn AWS from experienced instructors but don’t like the options available for nearby in-person classes or who simply don’t want to travel may want to consider enrolling in a live online AWS training course. These classes provide students with the same level of expert instruction that they can expect from an in-person training course, and they will still be able to work directly with their instructors to ask questions and receive feedback on their work. Students may miss out on networking opportunities and they will need to provide their own software, which can become challenging when learning AWS since the cost of utilizing the platform varies from user to user.
Noble Desktop offers all of its in-person training courses through live online instruction. These classes are built as online classes, so students who learn online won’t compete with in-person students for their instructor’s attention. Students will receive all the benefits they can expect from Noble training courses, including free retakes within one year and any professionalization training benefits, such as one-on-one career mentorship. Students may also wish to consider the options available through other training providers such as Clarusway or Digicomp Academy
Free Online Courses & Tutorials
Students may need clarification on whether a full AWS training course is right for them, especially considering how many different routes that training can take. Students are encouraged to take advantage of free training resources before enrolling in a paid training program to see what kinds of services and tools they can learn. These resources won’t be a substitute for professional training, and almost all professional AWS users will need further training at some point. Still, these classes and resources are great places to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of AWS to better understand the kinds of skills you’ll be learning in a professional training environment.
The best place to start exploring these training options is directly through Amazon. Amazon offers a wide variety of different training programs meant to help students become accustomed to their services. These include generalized training programs and focused training programs targeted at specific professional sectors, like the financial industry, or specific functions of AWS tools, like Machine Learning. These courses are designed to lead students into Amazon’s professional training options and prepare them to pass various AWS certification exams, but these tools are productive options regardless of how a student plans on expanding their AWS training.
Read about more free AWS videos and online tutorials.
On-Demand AWS Classes
Many may find that, regardless of where they live, they can’t fit a live training course into their schedule. People with work or family commitments may need the extra flexibility offered by an on-demand AWS training course. These classes let students work at their own pace, picking up and putting down lessons at their own convenience. They are also ideal courses for students who want to learn a specific skill in an accelerated period, since students can select the precise tool they want to learn. These are also the kinds of training programs that Amazon provides for students looking to learn these skills.
The drawback to these classes is that they lack live instructors to assist students with the difficulties that may arise in their training. Students will need to find ways to overcome any problems that arise in their training, which can significantly increase how long it takes to learn the material. Students will also need to self-assess how likely they are to let their training fall to the side, since the temptation to avoid work can be powerful. Finally, students will need to ensure that training material is up-to-date if students are using non-Amazon on-demand courses.
Which Learning Method is Right for Me?
Students looking to learn AWS will have plenty of different training options. They can enroll in live training courses or purchase asynchronous on-demand training material. Their live training courses can be taken either in-person or online. Each of these courses has its own advantages and disadvantages. While every student learns differently, understanding those strengths and weaknesses is an ideal way to make an informed decision about the best course for each student.
Many students find that live training sessions are the best way to learn new skills like AWS. These courses will put students into dedicated classroom spaces with instructors who are there to help guide students through the process of learning specific AWS functions and tools. These classes allow students to learn their skills through hands-on examples and real-world applications. These courses tend to be the most involved, but they are also the most expensive and have the most detailed scheduling requirements.
These courses are available both in-person and online, and while both courses offer expert instruction, the mode of delivery will differ. Students in live courses will have access to a dedicated classroom space and a group of students they can work with. Online students will be taught in private digital classrooms (through systems like Zoom). The disadvantage to an in-person course is that because they are taught on-site at a specialized campus, students will only be able to attend the classes they can physically travel to. Online classes eliminate this problem, but these courses will require students to supply their own hardware and software.
Students who cannot attend a live training course will want to enroll in an on-demand training course. These classes are ideal for students with family or work commitments preventing them from regularly attending a live course. These courses vary in how they are presented and what skills they teach. This makes them ideal for students who need to learn a few particular skills quickly or want to acquire a specific set of AWS skills slowly. The drawback to these classes is that students who lack a live instructor to guide them through difficult patches may find it too hard to overcome challenges that arise during their training. In addition, if you take an on-demand training course from anyone other than Amazon, you’ll need to ensure that the content is up-to-date, as AWS frequently updates its applications.
Why Learn AWS?
Given that AWS encompasses over two hundred distributing computing services ranging from API development tools to cloud computing to data analytics and cloud storage, almost any professional in computer science is likely to use some element of AWS. Whether it is for data storage, cybersecurity, cloud computing, or advanced development assistance, there are many professional reasons to learn how to utilize AWS. Learning AWS will add an in-demand skill set to your repertoire regardless of what you aspire to do in computer programming, data science, or cybersecurity. The versatility of the applications offered through AWS makes it an ideal choice to learn for anyone who wants to work in an advanced computer-related career path.
Since AWS uses a metered, pay-as-you-go system individuals and small organizations interested in taking advantage of these services can also use AWS. This makes it a valuable skill to learn if you are an aspiring computer programmer or data scientist looking to learn essential tools they can expect to regularly use in their regular professional lives. Individuals can use AWS to vastly expand the computing power they have access to for developing things like applications and databases. Smaller organizations or start-up businesses can take advantage of Amazon’s massive server farmers to purchase access to a level of computing power they would never be able to access without these services.
Read more about why you should learn AWS.
Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost
Students may need clarification on whether a full AWS training course is right for them, especially considering how many different routes that training can take. Students are encouraged to take advantage of free training resources before enrolling in a paid training program to see what kinds of services and tools they can learn. These resources won’t be a substitute for professional training, and almost all professional AWS users will need further training at some point. Still, these classes and resources are great places to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of AWS to better understand the kinds of skills you’ll be learning in a professional training environment.
The best place to start exploring these training options is directly through Amazon. Amazon offers a wide variety of different training programs meant to help students become accustomed to their services. These include generalized training programs and focused training programs targeted at specific professional sectors, like the financial industry, or specific functions of AWS tools, like Machine Learning. These courses are designed to lead students into Amazon’s professional training options and prepare them to pass various AWS certification exams, but these tools are productive options regardless of how a student plans on expanding their AWS training.
Read about more free AWS videos and online tutorials.
Learn AWS with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
Those interested in learning how to utilize AWS and the various computing processes available through the service may want to receive guidance on using these tools. Anyone looking for this guidance can find it through the professional training services offered by Noble Desktop. These classes are available in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus or online in private digital classrooms. Regardless of how you take these classes, students will be taught by expert instructors who have years of experience working with AWS. Class sizes, even those online, are kept small so students won’t have to worry about competing with their classmates for their instructor’s attention. Plus, anyone enrolling in a Noble training course can retake the class any time within a calendar year for free. This will ensure that students have even more time to practice their AWS skills.
People who are interested in an overview of the tools offered by Amazon and their basic functions will want to enroll in Noble’s Cloud Computing with AWS course. This class will teach participants how to build enterprise-level cloud computing environments for various professional purposes. Students will learn how to use cloud infrastructure for building networks and databases and receive practical, hands-on training in these skills to be ready to apply their training once they enter the professional world. This is an excellent course for those who want to work with AWS tools but aren’t sure that they want to specialize in a specific aspect of the program suite.
AWS is vital to modern cybersecurity infrastructures because many major institutions and organizations utilize the platform. If you’re interested in entering this important and growing career field, you will want to enroll in Noble’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. In this immersive, career-focused training program, students will learn how to analyze and engineer cybersecurity systems for Python, Linux, and cloud computing databases like AWS. As more important and sensitive data is stored on cloud systems, businesses will become more invested in their cybersecurity infrastructure. In this class, students will learn techniques for monitoring, analyzing, and planning cybersecurity systems, how to discover weaknesses and potential exploits in a system, and how to recognize attackers and security breaches. This is an ideal course for any student who wants to enter into a new career in the in-demand field of cybersecurity. You may also wish to explore their other options for cybersecurity classes and bootcamps through Noble Desktop.
Key Takeaways
- AWS is Amazon’s distributed cloud computing platform that allows users to take advantage of Amazon’s servers and hardware for their own computing needs. These services range from web hosting to machine learning and data analysis assistance.
- Students looking to learn AWS skills will be able to find many different training options, including in-person courses, live online classes, and asynchronous resources.
- Live courses are an ideal place to learn AWS if you need a complete training experience and feel you would benefit from the assistance a live instructor provides.
- On-demand classes are best suited for students who need greater flexibility in their work schedules or who need to learn a specific AWS skill very quickly.
- If you are looking for an in-person class in the Manhattan area or a live online course teaching AWS, Noble Desktop provides high-quality instruction.