How to Gain Hands-On Experience with Cloud Platforms | A Complete Guide

In today’s digital world, cloud platforms are the backbone of most businesses and IT operations. As organizations increasingly rely on cloud computing, there’s a growing demand for skilled professionals who can manage, optimize, and secure cloud environments. Gaining hands-on experience with cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud is essential for anyone aspiring to pursue a career in cloud computing, cloud administration, or cloud engineering.

This blog will guide you on how to gain practical, hands-on experience with cloud platforms, even if you’re a beginner or don’t have direct access to a professional environment. Let’s dive into the different approaches that can help you get the experience you need.

Why is Hands-On Experience Important for Cloud Professionals?

Before we discuss how to gain hands-on experience, it’s essential to understand why it’s critical. Cloud platforms are vast and complex, involving numerous services and configurations. Simply reading about cloud services or watching tutorials won’t provide the same depth of knowledge that actively working with the platform will.

Here are some reasons why hands-on experience is invaluable:

• Practical Understanding: You'll get familiar with the actual workflows, configurations, and best practices that theoretical knowledge alone can’t offer.
• Problem-Solving Skills: When working on real cloud projects, you’ll encounter challenges that will push you to find solutions, helping you grow as a cloud professional.
• Portfolio Development: Real-world experience can be showcased in your portfolio or CV, which is essential for landing jobs in the cloud domain.
• Certifications & Interviews: Employers value practical experience as much as they do certifications. It will make you stand out in interviews and improve your confidence.

Ways to Gain Hands-On Experience with Cloud Platforms

There are several ways you can gain hands-on experience with cloud platforms, even without a job in the field. Let’s explore the best methods:

1. Leverage Free Cloud Tiers

Major cloud providers offer free-tier services, which are perfect for learning and experimenting. These free-tier services give you limited access to a range of services without the need to spend money. Here’s what you can expect from the leading cloud providers:

• AWS Free Tier: AWS offers a 12-month free tier with limited usage for services like EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud), S3 (Simple Storage Service), Lambda, and more. You can deploy virtual machines, store data, and test different AWS tools.

• Microsoft Azure Free Account: Azure provides a $200 credit for the first 30 days and free access to popular services like Virtual Machines, Azure Blob Storage, and Azure SQL Database for the first 12 months.

• Google Cloud Free Tier: Google Cloud offers a free $300 credit for 90 days and always-free access to certain services like Compute Engine, Google Cloud Functions, and Firestore.

These free tiers are a great way to explore the cloud services without any financial commitment. You can experiment with cloud environments, deploy applications, and gain practical experience.

2. Enroll in Cloud Labs and Sandboxes

Cloud labs are virtual environments that let you practice cloud concepts in a controlled setting, without the risks of affecting a live environment. These are interactive, step-by-step guided exercises that simulate real-world tasks, allowing you to apply cloud knowledge.

• Qwiklabs: Qwiklabs offers hands-on labs and quests that teach you cloud concepts with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. You can practice real tasks and earn badges for completed labs.

• A Cloud Guru: A Cloud Guru offers a range of cloud labs that let you practice setting up cloud infrastructure, configuring virtual networks, and more. They provide hands-on experience across various cloud platforms.

• Cloud Academy: Cloud Academy provides access to cloud labs, assessments, and scenarios for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. You can build your skills through practical exercises.

These platforms allow you to practice cloud infrastructure and learn various cloud technologies in a risk-free environment.

3. Participate in Cloud Challenges

Participating in cloud challenges is an excellent way to learn by doing. These challenges often involve solving specific cloud-related tasks, such as deploying an application or securing a network. Some of the most popular platforms offering cloud challenges include:

• AWS Jam: AWS Jam is a competitive and interactive challenge platform where participants solve real-world cloud problems across several categories like security, machine learning, and DevOps.

• Hackathons: Many cloud providers host hackathons where you can collaborate with others to build cloud-based solutions. These events often provide free credits and access to cloud tools.

• CloudSkills Boost: CloudSkills Boost offers a variety of cloud challenges that allow you to earn hands-on experience by solving different cloud problems in a gamified environment.

4. Use Open-Source Projects

Working with open-source projects is a great way to gain hands-on experience. You can contribute to projects that use cloud technologies, and in doing so, you’ll get exposure to real-world applications.

• Look for cloud-based open-source projects on platforms like GitHub. Contributing to cloud applications or even starting your own cloud project is a great way to build your experience and showcase your skills.

• Join cloud-related open-source communities like Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) to engage with real-world cloud-native tools and applications.

5. Build Personal Projects

One of the most effective ways to gain hands-on cloud experience is to build your own personal projects. This allows you to explore the specific aspects of cloud platforms that are most relevant to your career goals. Here are some ideas for cloud projects:

• Deploy a Website: Deploy a static or dynamic website on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Build a Web Application: Create a simple application using cloud services like AWS Lambda, Azure App Service, or Google Cloud Run.
• Create a Cloud Database: Set up a cloud-based database such as AWS RDS, Azure SQL Database, or Google Cloud Firestore.

Documenting your project and sharing it on platforms like GitHub or LinkedIn can be a great way to showcase your cloud experience to potential employers.

6. Get Cloud Certifications

While certifications themselves are not a direct substitute for hands-on experience, they go hand-in-hand with learning and provide practical exposure to cloud platforms. Certifications such as:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect

These certifications offer structured learning paths, practical labs, and practice exams that simulate real-world scenarios, helping you gain hands-on knowledge along the way.

Conclusion

Gaining hands-on experience with cloud platforms is crucial for anyone aspiring to work in cloud computing, cloud administration, or DevOps. Fortunately, there are many ways to get started, whether by leveraging free-tier services, joining cloud labs, participating in challenges, contributing to open-source projects, or building your own personal cloud-based applications. With dedication and consistent practice, you can develop the skills required to succeed in cloud-related roles.

By gaining practical experience and certifying your skills, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient cloud professional, ready to tackle real-world challenges and stand out in the job market.

FAQs

1. What are free-tier services on cloud platforms? Free-tier services provide limited access to cloud services from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, allowing you to practice without incurring costs.

2. How do cloud labs and sandboxes help in learning? Cloud labs provide a virtual, controlled environment where you can practice cloud configurations, deployments, and troubleshoot real-world cloud tasks.

3. Where can I find cloud challenges to improve my skills? Platforms like AWS Jam, Hackathons, and CloudSkills Boost offer cloud challenges to solve real-world cloud problems and earn hands-on experience.

4. What open-source projects can I work on to gain cloud experience? Contributing to cloud-related open-source projects on GitHub, or joining cloud-native projects like CNCF, can help improve your cloud skills.

5. How do I build a personal project to gain cloud experience? You can create cloud-based personal projects like hosting a website, deploying a web application, or setting up cloud databases to practice cloud tools and services.

6. Are cloud certifications enough to gain practical experience? While certifications provide structured learning paths, they should be supplemented with hands-on practice to gain real-world experience.

7. How do I use AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for free learning? Each platform provides a free-tier offering that includes services like EC2, S3, Azure Virtual Machines, and Google Cloud Functions, allowing you to practice without financial commitment.

8. What cloud certifications are useful for building practical experience? Certifications like AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Fundamentals, and Google Cloud Architect provide a good mix of theory and practical cloud exposure.

9. Can I get practical experience with cloud platforms even if I have no prior experience? Yes, platforms like Qwiklabs, A Cloud Guru, and Cloud Academy provide beginner-friendly cloud labs that help you gain hands-on experience from scratch.

10. How do I document my cloud projects for future job opportunities? Share your cloud projects on GitHub, LinkedIn, or a personal website to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.