AWS Skillbuilder and Eduate

This guide is essential for anyone looking to enhance their career prospects in a technology-driven job market. It highlights the importance of technological literacy across various business disciplines and introduces AWS Skill Builder and AWS Educate as valuable resources for gaining cloud knowledge. By engaging with these platforms, users can develop relevant skills, earn digital badges, and differentiate themselves in interviews, ultimately preparing for the future of work.

Tasha Penwell
26 steps
5 minutes

## Why Are We Here? The Future of Your Career As you prepare to enter the professional world, the landscape is shifting beneath your feet. According to the [Future of Jobs Report 2025](https://www.weforum.org/press/2025/01/future-of-jobs-report-2025-78-million-new-job-opportunities-by-2030-but-urgent-upskilling-needed-to-prepare-workforces/#:~:text=Fastest%20growing%20skills%20by%202030,address%20the%20growing%20skills%20gaps.) from the [[World Economic Forum]], the most in-demand skills for the next decade include: 1. **AI and Big Data** 2. **Networks and Cybersecurity** 3. **Technological Literacy** *These aren’t just technical skills. They are business skills.* ## Bridging the Business–Tech Divide You might look at that list and think, *“That sounds like a job for IT.”* But in modern organizations, there is no isolated IT department tucked away in a basement. Technology is the business. - Finance professionals analyze risk using cloud-based data tools. - Sports management professionals track performance metrics in real time. - Marketing professionals launch data-driven global campaigns powered by AI. Every discipline now sits at the intersection of business strategy and technology capability. ## Why AWS? Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most widely used cloud platforms in the world, powering startups, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between. Its growth shows no sign of slowing down. The goal of this experience is not to make you cloud engineers overnight. That takes time and experience. The goal is to: - Build technological literacy - Understand how modern businesses operate in the cloud - Develop vocabulary that differentiates you in interviews - Prepare you for the **AW**e**S**ome opportunities ahead This is about becoming business professionals who understand the language of technology.

Creating an AWS Builder ID

AWS Builder ID is a free, personal profile used to access specific AWS resources such as AWS Skillbuilder and AWS Educate

Go to https://skillbuilder.aws/

Click here

Choose your preferred method and follow the instructions.

Click here to accept the terms and conditions.

Review and update information as needed and click Next.

Complete optional information. Click Complete Profile.

Introduction to Skillbuilder

## Introduction to AWS Skill Builder: Bridging the Business-Tech Divide Welcome to your first step into the world of cloud computing. Whether your major is in Marketing, Finance, Sports Management, or any other business degree, the reality of the modern corporate landscape is the same: the Cloud is the engine that drives your industry. AWS Skill Builder is a digital learning center designed to transform how you understand the technology that powers global commerce. ### **What is AWS Skill Builder?** AWS Skill Builder is Amazon’s official online learning platform. It has a library of free (and paid) training designed to take you from a complete beginner to a cloud-literate professional.

There are variety of free options available in Skill Builder. Feel free to explore before going to the next step.

For this activity, we're going to scroll down to the section of "Advance your professional goals". Click on **Decision Maker**

Filter your options. To limit to the free options select "Free" under the Access Tier.

Click on one of the modules

Enroll in the module

Click Start to begin the module.

Once you complete a module, you will receive a certification of completion.

When I first started my cloud education (this was not part of any formal education - purely learning on my own), I shared them on LinkedIn and asked my supervisor the best way to document them internally. In my case, I emailed HR to add them to my file and cc’d my supervisor. This made my interest in continued learning visible and part of my professional record. Every workplace culture is different, so pay attention to what’s appropriate in your organization. At minimum, consider asking your supervisor or HR how professional development accomplishments can be formally documented. Visibility matters.

AWS Educate

AWS Educate is Amazon’s free, self-paced learning platform designed specifically for students (13+) and those early in their career journey. It provides a low-pressure environment to explore how the cloud works without needing a credit card or a complex corporate account. AWS Educate offers the following: - **Hands-on Labs:** You get to use the actual AWS Management Console in a safe, no-cost environment. - **Digital Badges**: As you complete modules, you earn digital badges. These are verifiable credentials you can add to your LinkedIn profile to show future employers that you speak the language of the modern, cloud-driven economy. ###

Go to <https://aws.amazon.com/education/awseducate/>

Use the same AWS Builder ID to sign in.

Complete the form (not shown) and click **Continue to AWS Builder ID**

Feel free to explore the platform and features. When ready, select on "Courses/Features"

Click Badge to find courses that will provide a shareable badge once completed.

Select a course

Confirm the language

The platform is built on Canvas LMS (same one that OU uses) so navigation should be familiar. Click on Modules

Start at the beginning with the "Pre-Course Survey" and continue until you have completed all the modules and assessments to claim your badge.