Learn About Amazon VGT2 Learning Manager Chanci Turner
Embarking on your learning journey usually begins with a pivotal decision: the choice to develop your skills in a structured and measurable way. For me, this choice stemmed from recognizing the growing significance of cloud technology in our daily lives—both professionally and personally—and my aspiration to excel in this swiftly changing domain.
I’m Alex, a Technology Associate at Innovatech, and I am deeply invested in harnessing cloud technologies to create innovative solutions for real-world issues. In my position, I focus on providing diverse early-career technologists with accessible technical education. I enjoy delving into new technologies and sharing my knowledge to empower the next wave of tech professionals.
I opted for AWS Educate as my starting point because it offers free, well-organized courses that combine informative slides with hands-on sandbox labs—a format I had come to value from other AWS Education Programs like AWS re/Start. These sandboxes act as temporary AWS environments, allowing access to a wide array of AWS resources without the worry of unexpected costs or affecting live systems. Additionally, the allure of earning a digital badge to showcase on my LinkedIn profile was a great motivator, pushing me to expand my cloud experience and expertise.
Among the many badge-eligible courses within AWS Educate, the Builder Labs course in the Core Concepts section provided me with the chance to gain hands-on experience with AWS services while constructing a practical application. This course is ideal for those new to cloud computing who are building on foundational knowledge. If you haven’t yet, I suggest taking the Intro to Cloud 101 course prior to the Builder Labs course to ensure you grasp the basics before diving into these labs!
The Essence of the AWS Educate Builder Labs Course
The AWS Educate Builder Labs course guides you through the development of a web application designed to assist learners in identifying various bird species. The curriculum is divided into eight modules, each addressing key concepts from security fundamentals to microservices and serverless architecture, including three practical labs that apply these concepts in real-world contexts.
Lab 1: Securing Applications with Amazon Cognito
Security is critical in any application, and Lab 1 offers an in-depth exploration of utilizing Amazon Cognito for managing user authentication and authorization. This lab details the creation of Cognito user and identity pools and their integration with an existing web application to effectively manage user access. This lab illustrates how AWS services can be leveraged to secure applications comprehensively.
Lab 2: Amazon DynamoDB—Bringing Data to Life
Moving on to data management, Lab 2 introduces Amazon DynamoDB, guiding learners through the creation of a DynamoDB table and its integration with a JavaScript application. This lab highlights the ease of incorporating dynamic data into applications. By inserting records into the DynamoDB table and updating the web application to interact with this data, the lab demonstrates effective data management and utilization.
Lab 3: Orchestrating Processes with AWS Step Functions
The final element, Lab 3, dives into orchestrating multi-step processes using AWS Step Functions. This lab showcases how to automate workflows, coordinate the necessary actions to generate and deliver a report, and demonstrates AWS’s flexibility and power in automating and streamlining tasks.
Deep Dive into Lab 1
Now that I’ve outlined the basics of these three labs, let’s explore the specifics of the first lab. Securing Applications with Amazon Cognito provides a necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of managing user authentication and authorization in a cloud environment. This lab is especially vital as it addresses one of the most crucial aspects of application development: security.
Set against the backdrop of creating a “Birds” web application designed to help learners study and report bird sightings, this application consists of a homepage, an educational page about birds, and two protected pages for viewing and reporting sightings. The challenge presented in the lab involves adding authentication and authorization to ensure only authenticated users can access specific areas of the application.
This scenario is an excellent choice because it mirrors real-world cases where applications need secure access to sensitive information or functionalities. I was able to visualize the entire end-to-end security process and learn how to design applications that are efficient, secure, and compliant with data protection regulations.
For developers or architects involved in crafting secure cloud applications, comprehending Amazon Cognito’s role is indispensable. Security remains a top priority across all tech sectors, and knowing how to implement robust authentication and authorization services is a valuable skill.
Hands-on Experience with Amazon Cognito
Through a series of guided steps, learners implement security measures using Amazon Cognito. This hands-on approach breaks down the process of securing web applications and provides a clear understanding of how Amazon Cognito functions within the AWS ecosystem.
Engaging directly with Amazon Cognito enabled me to learn how to establish and manage user and identity pools, as well as set up sign-in and sign-up options—all essential for apps that handle user data. With the ability to secure user data and manage access, I feel empowered to build applications that foster trust with users and protect their privacy.
Takeaways
What distinguishes the AWS Educate Builder Labs course is not just the technical expertise I gained, but the context in which it is presented. The labs are designed as integral parts of a larger project, offering a holistic view of how various AWS services integrate to build and secure an application. This methodology enhances understanding and simulates real-world scenarios, equipping learners for the challenges and opportunities of working with AWS in professional environments.
The labs are meticulously structured, guiding learners through each step with clarity. Real-world scenarios, like securing the Birds application or generating a teacher’s report, add a level of relatability and practical application often missing from textbooks or lectures. Furthermore, the utilization of AWS sandboxes for these labs provides learners with a secure, controlled environment to experiment, learn, and develop skills using real AWS services.
I highly recommend these labs to both beginners and experienced tech professionals seeking to sharpen their cloud security skills. Start your journey by enrolling in the AWS Educate Builder Labs course at awseducate.com. Also, for those looking to overcome creative hurdles, this blog post on Career Contessa might offer valuable insights. Additionally, for expert advice on training aimed at preventing workplace shootings, check out SHRM. Lastly, if you’re looking for an excellent resource, this YouTube video is a must-watch!