TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
AWS Training & Learning Paths
Audience: Cloud Engineers, Developers, and IT Professionals.
Purpose: Curated learning paths for building AWS skills and preparing for certifications.
Learning Path Overview
Step 1: Cloud Fundamentals
Choose one of these foundational training options:
Option A: A Cloud Guru
A Cloud Guru requires a license. Contact your manager for access.
| Course | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Cloud Practitioner - CLF-C01 | 17.7 hours | Comprehensive exam prep covering cloud foundations, AWS services, benefits, and use cases |
Option B: AWS Training (Free)
| Course | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Foundations: Getting Started | 1 hour | Introduction to AWS architecture and core services |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials | 6 hours | Complete Cloud Practitioner exam preparation |
Option C: AWS Educate (Students)
Available for enrolled Texas A&M students:
- Navigate to awseducate.com/registration
- Click Student button
- Select Texas A&M University as institution
- Use your
@tamu.eduemail address - Complete registration and access the Student Portal
- Choose from available Career Pathways
Step 2: Role-Based Learning Paths
Architect Path
For Cloud Architects and Solutions Architects designing AWS solutions.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Architect Learning Plan | Comprehensive path covering AWS architecture best practices |
Certifications:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
Security Path
For Security Engineers and Cloud Security professionals.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Security Learning Plan | Security processes and best practices for AWS |
Certifications:
- AWS Certified Security - Specialty
Step 3: Additional Skills
GitHub
| Course | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| First Day on GitHub | 3 hours | Git fundamentals and GitHub workflow |
Terraform
| Course | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Getting Started with Terraform | 45 minutes | Terraform basics with AWS provider |
| Using Terraform to Manage Applications and Infrastructure | 16.2 hours | Advanced Terraform training (A Cloud Guru) |
AWS Academy
AWS Academy is available only for students enrolled in participating courses at Texas A&M.
AWS Academy provides curriculum developed by AWS for degree-granting institutions. Students receive hands-on experience with AWS services through labs integrated into their coursework.
Quick Reference
| Skill Level | Recommended Start | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | AWS Foundations + Cloud Practitioner | 1-2 weeks |
| Intermediate | Role-specific Learning Plan | 4-6 weeks |
| Advanced | Specialty certifications | 2-3 months |
Certification Exam Tips
- Complete the learning path before scheduling your exam
- Take practice exams available on AWS Skill Builder
- Use hands-on labs to reinforce concepts
- Review whitepapers for the Well-Architected Framework
- Join study groups or find a study partner
Contact the Cloud Operations team about exam voucher availability for TAMU employees.