How to Gain Practical Experience in AWS Solutions Architect

Gaining practical experience is crucial both for career advancement and standing out from other job candidates. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a beginner, there's always room for growth and skill improvement. This article explores different strategies and resources to build your AWS Solutions Architect skills, start a new project, and navigate the vast AWS ecosystem.

Utilizing Free Tier for Practical Learning

One of the best ways to gain practical experience in AWS Solutions Architect is by leveraging the AWS Free Tier. The AWS Free Tier offers free usage of various AWS services, giving you the opportunity to experiment with the platform without financial constraints.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a full-fledged website using the AWS platform and incorporate almost all core AWS services:

Step 1: Setting up the AWS Environment

First, sign up for an AWS account if you haven’t done so already. Ensure that you enable the AWS Free Tier to avoid any unexpected charges. Once your account is set up, you can begin exploring the various services AWS offers.

Step 2: Designing Your Website

Bluemix Services: Utilize AppRunner, RDS, or Elastic Beanstalk to deploy and manage your web application. These services help in setting up a scalable and reliable environment for your website.

Storage: Use Amazon S3 for static content storage and Amazon EFS for file system storage. This ensures efficient and scalable storage solutions for your website.

Database: AWS RDS (Relational Database Service) offers managed database services, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your application rather than managing the underlying infrastructure.

Content Delivery: Implement Amazon CloudFront to deliver your website’s content globally, ensuring fast and reliable performance.

Step 3: Security and Compliance

Ensure your website is secure by integrating AWS Security services like IAM (Identity and Access Management) for strict user access controls, and KMS (Key Management Service) for secure key management.

Step 4: Monitoring and Logging

Use Amazon CloudWatch for monitoring and logging. It provides real-time visibility into the performance of your applications and services, helping you detect and address issues proactively.

Supplementing Practical Experience with Online Resources

In addition to utilizing the AWS Free Tier, there are several online resources that can enhance your practical experience:

Whizlabs Online Course and Practice Tests

Whizlabs offers a comprehensive online course with 94 video lessons and 61 hands-on labs. This course provides lifetime access, making it an excellent investment for someone looking to build their AWS Solutions Architect skills. The course is structured to offer a hands-on learning experience, which is crucial for practical understanding.

Additionally, Whizlabs provides free tests. A free test consists of 15 questions and a single hands-on lab, while a practice test includes 400 questions and 61 hands-on labs, with 5 attempts allowed. These tests help you assess your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.

Additional Learning Material

For more in-depth reading and troubleshooting, you can refer to the extensive documentation and forums available on the AWS website. Furthermore, engaging with the AWS community through forums like AWS re:Post and Quora can provide valuable insights and support.

Conclusion

Becoming proficient in AWS Solutions Architect requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. By leveraging the AWS Free Tier and utilizing resources like Whizlabs, you can build a strong foundation and gain hands-on experience that is highly valued by employers.

All the best in your journey to becoming an AWS Solutions Architect!

Explore Whizlabs’ AWS Solutions Architect courses now

Keywords: AWS Solutions Architect, Practical Experience, Online Course