Want to be the next captain
Apply here: https://builder.aws.com/connect/community/cloud-clubs
Here's my journey as a captain...
I’m Shreya Sherikar, a 3rd-year BTech CSE student at Amity University Bengaluru and the proud Captain of the AWS Cloud Club—a club I built from the ground up.
When I first discovered the AWS Cloud Club program, the applications were six months away. I wasn’t someone with a deep coding background at the time, but I found AWS services genuinely interesting. I had a clear goal: to become a Captain and build a thriving technical community on my campus. The problem? I needed the knowledge to lead it.
This is the story of how AWS Skill Builder became my secret weapon, not just for preparation, but for making a tangible impact as a community leader.
Phase 1: Preparation—The Quest for Knowledge (And Vouchers!)
My motivation for serious cloud learning was simple and practical: I needed to learn the services, and, honestly, I wasn't ready to pay the huge amount for AWS Certification exams. I knew the Captain role offered free exam vouchers, and I wanted to be prepared the moment I got in.
Instead of waiting for my Captain approval, I logged into AWS Skill Builder and started consuming everything I could. My journey began with the foundational badges:
My First Step: I started with the AWS Educate Introduction to Cloud 101 - Training Badge in December 2024. This was the moment the whole concept of cloud computing clicked for me. It transformed the abstract idea of "the cloud" into understandable components—Compute, Storage, Networking.
The Hands-On Revelation: The digital courses and labs immediately dispelled the myth that cloud computing was only for advanced engineers. Learning about Amazon S3 in the Getting Started with Storage badge showed me how easy it was to host files securely, a concept far more engaging than theoretical classroom discussions.
I earned badges across Compute, Databases, Storage, and Serverless—all visible on my Credly profile. When the Captain approval finally arrived in May 2025, I wasn’t starting from scratch; I was launching with foundational knowledge already in place.
Phase 2: Execution—From Student to Captain
The knowledge I gained on Skill Builder wasn't just theoretical; it was the blueprint for leading my club.
In the early days of recruiting my first 10 core members, I didn't rely on random activities. I used the clear, structured learning paths of Skill Builder to give my members a curriculum. I told them, "Start with the Cloud 101 course, then pick a service badge like Serverless or Storage." It gave them instant direction and accountability.
The Unexpected Utility of Networking
While I initially focused on broader badges, the AWS Educate Getting Started with Networking - Training Badge proved to be the most surprisingly valuable resource.
As a technical lead in the SIH Internal 2025 competition, where our project MAPPY won 2nd Runner-Up, my understanding of network protocols and connectivity (including the AWS Serverless/IoT Core deployment) was crucial to building the solution.
More recently, my growing interest in ethical hacking has been directly supported by the fundamental networking concepts I learned through the badge. It showed me how security is woven into every layer of the cloud—not just an add-on.
Hosting an AWS Solutions Architect
One of my proudest moments was leading our first major event, hosting Mr. Raghavendra Prakash, a Senior Solutions Architect at AWS India
. My background knowledge from Skill Builder gave me the confidence to handle the logistics, promotions, and speaker outreach. More importantly, it helped me structure the event's agenda and Q&A session so that the questions were relevant and the audience of 200+ students received real, actionable value.
Phase 3: The Ascent—Aiming for Gold
My journey reflects the AWS Captain ranking system: I started at
Bronze and recently achieved Silver Level. Now, I'm laser-focused on earning the
Gold Captain Badge.
To do this, I need to keep building our community, which is already at 200+ members on meetup. My next major event is a workshop planned specifically for new juniors, and my choice of topic is directly inspired by what was most impactful in my learning:
Serverless Computing.
This new workshop will be a hands-on introduction to AWS Lambda and API Gateway. I chose it because the Serverless badge was the one that made me realize you don't need to manage infrastructure to build powerful applications—a crucial concept for a beginner!
My Biggest Takeaway & Advice
If I had to give one piece of advice to any aspiring AWS Cloud Club Captain or student, it would be this:
The single biggest, most underestimated benefit of AWS Skill Builder isn't the certificates; it’s the confidence it gives you to network with AWS professionals.
Learning the core terminology and services on Skill Builder means that when you meet an AWS Hero, Community Builder, or Solutions Architect—as I did at the GOTO Serverless conference in Bengaluru—you are no longer asking basic questions. You can jump straight into meaningful technical discussions and build genuine connections. This is what truly pushed me to apply for the AWS Community Builder program myself!
My commitment is to keep building a community on campus where learning is more engaging and fun than any classroom setting, using the incredible free resources AWS provides.
The journey is far from over—the Gold badge, the Community Builder program, and future certifications await. But it all started with a free login and the decision to start learning on AWS Skill Builder.
Top comments (1)
Very inspiring journey Shreya, all the best for the days to come. (P.S Don't forget to share the Exam Vouchers with me)