How to Enhance Your Cloud Knowledge

The cloud is an exciting tool with endless possibilities to make our work easier. However, there is a lot to learn in order to harness the full power of the cloud. Even if you’re not in a technical role, building your awareness of the cloud will give you more insight into how OIT is evolving.  

Why Should I Care About the Cloud? 

Cloud Training Coordinator Laura Linantud, who aided in the development of the Workforce Resilience Program’s Cloud learning track, explained that everyone in OIT has or will be impacted by the cloud. 

“The most important thing is that everybody in OIT, regardless of their role, is probably interacting with someone that has already migrated or is going to be migrating to the cloud,” Linantud explains. “It is critical to understand the context and the language of the cloud, so people can understand where they fit in and how they can best support others.” 

Linantud stresses that people shouldn’t be afraid to learn more. In fact, the cloud provides many opportunities to make OIT jobs easier. 

 What Learning Resource is the Best for Me?

OIT has cloud-related learning resources for all knowledge levels and learning styles. The chart below is your quick reference to the learning options available for cloud. Review the chart to get more insight from Linantud as she details the benefits of each option.

 

• Pluralsight - Linantud recommends everyone start here regardless of your level of cloud knowledge. “There’s a really cool skills IQ assessment at the start,” Linantud says. “The results of this assessment are completely private, no one else but you can see the results. It will place you into a category and provide you a recommended learning path. Pluralsight provides a nice self-guided tour of the cloud content. And the best part is, no one else even has to know you’re doing it. You get a license, activate it, and it’s yours forever to learn at your own speed.” 
• WR Cloud Confluence Page - The hub for all things cloud. Here you can find many resources and see where you feel comfortable getting started or continuing your cloud learning journey. Linantud says, “The Cloud Track Confluence page walks you through all of the options available. You can find everything from a preview of the Cloud cohort syllabus to the contact information for cloud training experts. It’s the central location for all things cloud.”  
• Cloud Cohort - For those who have gained a strong awareness of the cloud, have the basic terms down, and want a more immersive learning experience, joining a cohort is a great option. “Joining a cohort will give you direct access to subject matter experts,” Linantud explains. “The cohort takes a blended learning approach. There is work done individually and there is also a live and interactive experience that’s not just one-sided. Yes, subject matter experts present, but the people participating in the cohort also talk to each other and share their experiences. You can learn how the cloud has impacted people in a real way.”
• Wr_training_cloud Slack Channel - This Slack channel has been used in conjunction with the cohort for about a year, but anyone looking to learn more about the Cloud is welcome to join. Linantud says, “The interactions and questions raised are awesome. Even if you don’t feel comfortable joining the cohort, you can still join this Slack channel just to see the conversation. It’s a great low-commitment way that we can all learn from each other.” 
• Cloud.cms.gov - This website provides a much more CMS customized learning experience and exists completely outside of Workforce Resilience. If you are looking to learn more about how the cloud can be applied to your work, Linantud recommends taking a look at the ‘Training’ menu tab. “I tend to give people as much as I can,” Linantud explains. “I curate virtual live events from our vendors, like AWS, Microsoft, or Atlassian, for example. I find that vendor-driven training can be a really valuable resource for people.”
• AWS Resources and Training Summit - AWS offers several free courses for you to learn about AWS Cloud concepts, services, security, architecture, pricing, and support to build your AWS Cloud knowledge. Regardless of your level of interest/knowledge of the cloud, you are not on this learning journey alone. The best part is that there are many different options available for you to choose from based on your learning style.