This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Retro’ing and Debugging 2024.
It's not someone else's computer anymore. I touched, felt, experienced, and perceived it in AWS re:Invent 2024!
Back in mid-2019 or early 2020 was when I started learning cloud computing theoretically and conceptually during my Master of Science in Information Technology. It inspired my curiosity to explore cloud computing in general and Amazon Web Services (AWS) in particular. This exploration led me to collaborate on an academic publication in IEEE as the first author, during which I evaluated a couple of public cloud providers. None came closer to AWS in meeting our requirements.
Read our paper here: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9708060
In 2021: I began advocating for cloud computing, realizing its potential to transform the industry, especially for startups, due to its serverless architecture.
Delivering a guest lecture on emerging technologies that transform traditional business practices.
Veerakesari (National Newspaper in Tamil Language) features an article about the technology exhibition where I led the department of Computing exhibiting students work on Robotics, AI and IoT
Delivering a keynote among A/L (Similar to K-12) passed students about the career opportunities for those seeking tertiary education in technological domain
In 2022: I applied for the AWS Community Builder Program and was thrilled to be accepted. This opportunity provided me with complementary benefits to strengthen my AWS knowledge, including AWS credits to explore services, and a free subscription to CloudAcademy (now QA) for hands-on labs. I was fortunate to share this knowledge with my undergraduate students, which further solidified my understanding of AWS's core services.
My sincere thanks go to AWS Community Builders Team for making my way into cloud journey a breeze by having me onboard as AWS Community Builder for the 3rd Consecutive Year.
AWS Community Builders - Year 1 Swag
In 2023: I was re-enrolled in the AWS Community Builder Program for the second consecutive year.
AWS Community Builder - Year 2 SWAG
Meanwhile, I participated in an AWS Community Day in Sri Lanka, organized by AWS User Group Colombo, where I received the second prize for advocating and referring the second-highest number of participants to the event.
Prize received for referring highest number of participants for AWS Community Day in Sri Lanka
By then, I felt it was time to validate my skills and gain accreditation. I had an exam voucher in hand at no cost, a benefit of the program. I was in a win-win situation—if I passed, I would be rewarded; if I failed, I lost nothing. I sat for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam and comfortably passed.
Certificate Verification: https://www.credly.com/badges/805bac45-a730-45bf-966f-11c64060df75
At the time, I didn’t realize that this certification would grant me exclusive access to the AWS Certification Lounge at the re:Invent conference.
Dedicated Lounge for AWS Certified Attendees - AWS Re:invent 2024, Las Vegas, USA
Later, I decided to focus on my core specialties in AWS, specifically Machine Learning and Data Science. Once again, armed with a fault-tolerant voucher, I pursued the AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty exam. Praise be to Almighty, I passed. By this point, accessing the AWS platform had become part of my daily routine.
Certificate Verification: https://www.credly.com/badges/9f6d1bb1-4d08-4b02-91b6-975b3a269f84
In 2024: This year stands out as one of the best in my life for two reasons:
- While I continue to learn and share about AWS as a community builder for the 3rd Year,
AWS Community Builder - Year 3 SWAG
- I passed the final examination of Attorney-at-Law conducted by the Sri Lanka Law College, paving the way for enrollment in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka as an Attorney-at-Law, provided I fulfill other requirements.
Attorney-at-Law Final Examination Results, Sri Lanka Law College
I always believe the Almighty is the Musabbib Al-Asbab (The Creator of the Means). If He intends something, He creates the means for it. I knew my cloud journey would benefit me, but I never imagined, it would take me to the land of opportunity—the United States—as a guest, receiving the AWS All Builders Welcome Grant 2024 as the only guy from Sri Lanka in 2024.
Placing the sticker mark on my country Sri Lanka as a proud Sri Lankan on the mega placard placed for people to mark their presence on the world map - AWS re:invent 2024
Through this journey, the Almighty healed my personal suffering caused by a health concern. This experience broadened my perspectives and refined my professional aspirations.
The opportunity also has opened me up the opportunity to travel to the U.S. as needed!
What's Next? The future looks promising by the grace of Almighty. I am on the verge of making a critical move toward my doctoral studies (awaiting a final decisive interview). I aim to apply my technical expertise and legal acumen to contribute to the field of Legal NLP (Natural Language Processing) by reducing or eliminating biases prevalent in this specific domain. I envision implementing solutions in a production environment utilizing the limitless opportunities offered by AWS services.
3 Key Lessons to Take from My Journey
1. Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptation
From academic exploration during a my Master's program to hands-on AWS certifications, the journey underscores the importance of lifelong learning. Every step—from academic publication to cloud certification—demonstrates that curiosity and commitment to learning open doors to greater opportunities.
2. Sharing Knowledge to Solidify Expertise
Becoming an AWS Community Builder and sharing insights with students not only strengthened my technical skills but also built a supportive community. Teaching others often deepens one’s understanding and helps transform knowledge into impactful results.
3. Perseverance Paves the Way for Opportunities
This journey is a testament to resilience and faith in the face of challenges. From my personal health struggles to achieving monumental milestones like becoming an AWS All Builders Welcome Grant recipient and passing the Attorney-at-Law final examination, it’s clear that perseverance, coupled with belief, creates avenues for success. I believe opportunities often arise when one stays committed to growth and purpose.
These lessons highlight the blend of personal determination, professional skill-building, and faith that leads to a transformative career trajectory.
Top comments (2)
Your journey is truly inspiring From starting as a cloud computing learner to becoming an AWS Community Builder and finally earning the AWS All Builders Welcome Grant—it's a testament to dedication, continuous learning, and perseverance. Your blend of tech expertise and legal aspirations in NLP is impressive. Wishing you success in your future endeavors, especially your doctoral studies 🚀
Wishing you success in your doctoral pursuits and future endeavors