Beginning My Cloud Journey

Hello to you, my fellow readers, writers, and cloud enthusiasts! This entry marks my first step on the road to becoming a cloud engineer. My name is Nigel Henderson, a Texas A&M University graduate with a BBA in management information systems. I developed a fond passion for cloud technologies after being exposed to the AWS environment during a course at university. I’m here to share progress, knowledge, and the process that will turn my passion into a profession!

I am currently enrolled in the Cloud Engineer Academy, where students are exposed to an AWS-focused curriculum that transforms the traditional problem-solving process into a first-principles led approach. Foundational learning material, comprised of elementary through advanced cloud operations, paired with project-based assignments, allows us to build a well-rounded portfolio showcasing developed skills in the cloud.

Today’s entry will share what I’ve learned in module 1 of the academy:

I worked through foundational lessons covering cloud computing and core cloud concepts, building a stronger understanding of how modern cloud environments function and why they are so critical to today’s technology landscape. Along the way, I completed quizzes that reinforced my understanding of cloud fundamentals and helped solidify concepts that will serve as the foundation for more advanced learning.

Beyond theory, I also took practical steps into the AWS ecosystem by setting up my AWS root account, creating a secure day-to-day account, and configuring an AWS budget to begin learning responsible cloud cost management early on. I completed hands-on networking and command-line projects, including making curl requests, finding and understanding IP addresses, and using ping requests to better understand connectivity and communication between systems.

While these may seem like foundational tasks, they gave me a much clearer picture of how devices, servers, and cloud services interact behind the scenes. Each week will help me build both technical skills and confidence as I continue progressing toward a career in cloud engineering!