Darrin Long’s journey into the cloud with AWS Cloud Institute

Darrin Long had been working in the tech industry for several years, but he felt like something was missing. Burnt out and suddenly finding himself unemployed due to layoffs, he was at a crossroads and unsure of what to do next after investing many years in IT. Still passionate about tech, Darrin was streaming AWS’s flagship event, AWS re:Invent, when he realized his future could be in cloud computing.

“Here I was streaming this cloud event in my free time and it dawned on me that I was really intrigued and excited by the cloud,” Darrin shared. “I realized that pivoting there could reinvigorate my career, without requiring me to leave tech entirely.”

That’s when he discovered AWS Cloud Institute, a program that would allow him to develop the specialized skills he needed to successfully transition into a new area of expertise. Darrin was drawn to AWS Cloud Institute because of AWS’s reputation for providing high-quality training and certification preparation and the program’s alignment to helping learners build skills aligned to in-demand cloud developer roles.

“I had been interested in cloud computing for a while, but I wasn’t sure where to start,” Darrin explained. “AWS Cloud Institute seemed like the perfect way for me to get the skills and credentials I needed to make this career change.”

Providing structure and a sense of purpose

AWS Cloud Institute learner Darrin Long

Since enrolling in AWS Cloud Institute, Darrin has been impressed by the breadth of the curriculum, the depth of the hands-on experience, and importantly, the sense of purpose he’s found.

“Personally, I’m coming off a difficult year. Enrolling in AWS Cloud Institute is giving me purpose and a path to follow with a real community feel. It came along at the perfect time for me,” Darrin shared. “And the instructors are all seasoned cloud experts who really know their stuff. I love their enthusiasm and availability at office hours,” he said. “And they don’t just teach us the basics – they go in-depth on all the latest AWS services and technologies.”

Darrin particularly enjoys the hands-on labs and projects that are woven throughout the program. “Being able to apply what I’m learning in a real-world environment is invaluable,” he said. “I feel so much more prepared to tackle cloud-based solutions after going through these types of exercises.”

Now in his final quarter of the program, Darrin feels confident in his cloud skills. He even earned his AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, which validates a foundational, high-level understanding of AWS Cloud services and terminology. “Earning that certification was a game-changer for me. It opened up so many new doors and opportunities. I’m excited to put my AWS skills to use every day,” he said.

Laying the groundwork for an evolving cloud career

Darrin is grateful for AWS Cloud Institute’s role in his career transformation. “I would highly recommend AWS Cloud Institute to anyone who’s serious about cloud computing,” he said. “The knowledge and confidence I gained have been invaluable. The program has revitalized my career. I’m now invested in learning as much as I can about the cloud.”

As Darrin continues to grow and evolve in his cloud computing career, he knows that the foundation he built with AWS Cloud Institute will continue to serve him well. “This is just the beginning of my cloud journey,” he said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds!”

About AWS Cloud Institute

AWS Cloud Institute is a virtual cloud-skills training program that will help you launch your career as a cloud developer in as little as nine months – regardless of your technical background. AWS Cloud Institute removes the guesswork to offer a structured path so you can focus on building cloud skills and experience through nine core digital training courses supported by live and on-demand instructor-led sessions, over 150 interactive labs, two capstone projects, and prep for two AWS Certifications. You’ll join a thriving community of learners and instructors and have the support of career services on your path to a new career. You can get started in just five minutes or less.