For most of my professional life, I worked in business development, sales, healthcare, and social care — providing support, safeguarding, and ensuring the well-being of vulnerable individuals. It was meaningful work, but deep down, I had another passion: technology and cloud computing.
In 2023, I decided to take a leap into the AWS Cloud world as a Solutions Architect. I earned the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and am currently working toward the AWS Cloud Solutions Architect certification. I started mentoring students through AWS Academy — first with e-Careers, and now with OptimaIT — to gain more hands-on experience and become better equipped to solve real-world cloud use cases.
The journey wasn’t always smooth — here’s what I learned along the way.
- Skills Transfer More Than You Think Working in healthcare taught me problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. These skills turned out to be just as valuable in tech.
In AWS projects, you still have to work under pressure, think critically, and communicate clearly — especially when explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Certifications Are Just the Start Earning AWS credentials opened the door, but hands-on labs, cloud projects, and mentoring others built my real confidence.
Many believe that joining an academy or earning a certificate automatically makes you job-ready — but practical experience is what truly bridges the gap.
My learning journey has also included diving into security, BigQuery, and AI/ML on Google Cloud Platform, which has fueled my interest in applying AI/ML services in real-world scenarios.
💡 Tip: If you’re studying for a certification, pair it with a personal project — even if it’s small.
- Community Is a Game-Changer Mentorship programs provided me with a network of tutors, leaders, and AWS Authorized Instructors (AAI). I had the chance to explore various aspects of cloud computing, from security to AI/ML.
Being part of a community means more than just access to resources — it’s about connection. Whether it was weekly learning sessions, peer discussions, or joining tech communities like DEV, AWS User Groups, and LinkedIn circles, the advice and encouragement I received kept me motivated through the challenges.
- It’s Okay to Be a Beginner Again Switching industries meant starting at “day one” all over again. But every expert you admire once had their first day too. The key is to keep learning and keep showing up.
My Advice for Career Changers
If you’re thinking about moving into tech from a completely different field:
Leverage your existing skills — they matter more than you think.
Be patient — progress is slow but steady.
Don’t learn in isolation — find a community.
What’s Next for Me
I’m now combining my healthcare background with AWS knowledge to explore cloud solutions in healthcare. I believe technology can greatly improve patient care, data security, and operational efficiency.
I’m also exploring how cloud technology can make a broader difference — not just in healthcare, but in any sector where digital transformation can have a positive impact.
💬 Have you switched careers into tech? Or are you thinking about it? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!
Tags:
Top comments (0)