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Intro

Hello, I'm Sai. I've compiled this AWS section to document the knowledge I gained while preparing for the AWS SysOps, Developer, and Solutions Architect associate certifications. If you find any inaccuracy, kindly notify me through GitHub/the comment section.

While obtaining certifications is an achievement, the journey itself offers valuable insights. Preparation involves not just testing existing knowledge but also gaining hands-on experience with various AWS services. For example, you'll explore security-related services like AWS Inspector, AWS Config, and AWS Trusted Advisor, understanding when to use each. You'll tackle practical questions, such as setting up a VPC for internet-connected instances while keeping others isolated, ensuring file system integrity when creating AMIs, and achieving "Write Once, Read Many" (WORM) compliance for sensitive data storage. This preparation equips you to grasp these concepts and implement them effectively with AWS.

Certifications​

By far, I hold three associate certifications: SysOps, Developer, and Solutions Architect (SA). I feel that SA is the most accessible, requiring a basic grasp of service usage and system design from an architectural perspective. Developer delves deeper than SA, emphasising implementation using serverless services, data streams, SQS, and CodePipeline.

SysOps is the most challenging. It involves not only troubleshooting issues that Architects or Developers might encounter but also ensuring high security, cost optimisation, continuous monitoring, and compliance with client and owner requirements. Given its broader scope compared to the other two, SysOps is understandably the toughest, often requiring multiple attempts for success according to various online resources like Reddit or Udemy.

Is it worth it?​

Certification Value​

People nowadays excel in exams and certifications. However, not all certifications carry the same weight in the job market. For instance, some certifications don't automatically boost trust or salary prospects. Completing the AWS certification raised questions about its true worth. Does certification equal competence? Does it enhance or detract from one's professional value?

To me, because these certifications significantly complimented my work and deepened my understanding of both AWS and system operations, I would definitely say it helps to make me a better architect. That said, when to get the certification depends on your career path, circumstances, and seizing opportunities.

Expertise vs. Certification​

Certifications don't guarantee expertise. Expertise means effectively solving domain-specific issues. Certifications offer a basic understanding and system control. Real expertise combines these with practical experience and problem-solving abilities. Graduates should gain comprehensive knowledge, basic proficiency in a field, and work on capstone projects for professional readiness. Despite people's proficiency in certifications, the expertise gap remains. True expertise lies in the ability to tackle core challenges.

How to prepare​

First, select the specific certification that aligns with your career goals and expertise. Next, study AWS documentation, whitepapers, and official study materials provided by AWS. Hands-on experience with AWS services is essential, so practice building solutions on the platform.

Consider enrolling in AWS training courses or using online learning platforms, which offer comprehensive study materials and practice exams. Join AWS forums and participate in discussion boards to exchange insights with other candidates.

Frequent practice exams help assess your progress and identify areas needing improvement. (Below are the materials I used when preparing the exams.) Time management during the exam is crucial, so practice solving questions within the allocated time. Lastly, stay updated with AWS services and features through blogs, webinars, and re-certification to maintain your credential.

Resources​

Here are the resources I used for certification preparation. Your ideal choice may depend on your preferred learning style:

  • Adrian Cantrill: Provides a project-based curriculum for learning the necessary services, featuring friendly architectural diagrams.
  • Digital Cloud: Offers comprehensive lectures covering each section and the theoretical foundation behind industry standards.
  • Tutorials Dojo: Offers clean and regularly updated questions with excellent explanations.
  • Stephane Maarek from Udemy:
    • His practice papers closely resemble the actual exam, but some questions may be outdated, and explanations might lack clarity.
    • Detailed lab exercises and courses.
  • AWS resources

References​

Below are the references I feel handy when studying AWS services:

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