My AWS + ULAP.org Cloud Computing Journey

Every day is a new opportunity to learn and to explore things.

I am Reniel Bryan De Lumban, a 3rd-year college student taking Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at Polytechnic University of the Philippines. I was an intern at ULAP.org, a non-profit organization known for its cloud/tech advocacy. The internship lasted for two months, and it introduced me to cloud technologies. I found the cloud fascinating because of its innovative applications that certainly represent the continuous advancement of modern technology nowadays.

As a part of my internship, me and my fellow interns attended an Amazon Web Services (AWS) study group hosted by AWSUG.PH. The study group is a three-day session conducted every Sunday where mentors, who are AWS certified, taught us about the fundamentals of AWS to help us pass the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification exam. As a part of it, we were given plenty of study resources as well as laboratory activities for our self-paced learning. The study group made me gain knowledge regarding services provided by AWS such as EC2, RDS, S3, and many more.

I was so eager to be cloud certified hence I studied a lot to build up some confidence before taking the certification exam. For efficient learning, I allotted 3 to 5 study hours a day. I disciplined myself to study bits by bits of information and rest whenever I feel so. Through this, I enjoyed learning without feeling exhausted and overwhelmed with new things I discovered each day. When I assessed myself that I was ready enough, I decided to take my first certification exam. I booked an appointment at a testing center for the CLF-C01 - AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. It was October 22, 2021, when I took the exam. Fortunately, the hard work paid off! I passed the exam and received my certificate and digital badge.

I truly appreciate the help of AWSUG.PH and ULAP.org. I would like to thank Ms. Michelle Tabirao and Ms. Marilag Dimatulac, the ULAP.org founders, as well as Mr. Raphael Quisumbing and the mentors from AWSUG.PH. Especially, I also like to thank my parents who also supported me in this cloud computing journey.

My cloud computing journey is a blast. Being an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is not the end of it, yet it is the beginning as I continue to take more steps in this journey. May this brief story of mine inspire people, especially students, who are planning to start their cloud computing journey. Cloud is fun!