From IT Support to AWS: How I Did It

In today's newsletter, I want to share with you my personal journey from starting as a help desk support technician to becoming an AWS Solutions Architect. There is no single path you must take to accomplish this, but there is value studying how someone else has already done it. Enjoy!

Early Beginnings in Tech

Before diving into my first help desk role, let me give you a little background on myself. I've always been fascinated by technology and loved helping people. This dual passion has driven my career and fulfillment over the years. When I started my career in the early 2000s, the world of cloud computing as we know it today didn't even exist. However, my natural curiosity and willingness to learn allowed me to adapt and grow with the evolving tech landscape.

The Help Desk Chapter

My first significant role in tech was as a help desk support technician. The key to landing this job was obtaining the CompTIA A+ certification, a vendor-neutral certification that covers a wide array of IT basics, from hardware and operating systems to security and networking. This certification was crucial in proving my capabilities to potential employers.

Working in Tier 1 help desk involved more than just password resets; I was troubleshooting application errors, referencing knowledge databases, and handling a high volume of calls daily. Even though it was an entry-level position, the drive I had allowed me to thrive and set the stage for future advancements. During quieter shifts, I was always studying, striving to gain more certifications and skills.

Progression and Growth

After about a year in help desk, I moved on to a project involving a massive migration from Windows 95 to Windows XP. This gave me much-needed hands-on experience with both software and hardware. Following this, I returned to help desk but in a more dynamic role that combined phone support with in-person troubleshooting.

My career took a significant turn when I transitioned to a network administrator role. Here, I was managing Novell and Windows Active Directory environments, which broadened my understanding of organizational IT infrastructures.

Next came a role in a Network Operations Center (NOC), where I was responsible for monitoring enterprise data centers. This incident management role taught me the importance of quick, proactive problem-solving. My experience in the NOC paved the way for my next role as a Sysadmin in a more focused data center environment, dealing with servers, storage, and network management.

Narrowing Focus to Networking and Engineering

One of my most rewarding positions was as a network engineer. This job challenged me with complex problem definitions and required in-depth knowledge of Layers 2 and 3 of the OSI model. Writing configurations for networking equipment and collaborating with cross-functional teams gave me a deeper appreciation of the intricacies involved in large-scale network management.

Transitioning to the Cloud

My final role before joining AWS was in consulting, specializing in data center infrastructure. It was during this time that I recognized a growing interest and passion for cloud technologies. I decided to channel my focus entirely on cloud computing, particularly AWS. AWS's scale and innovation in cloud services fascinated me, and I was determined to be part of it.

I earned my AWS Solution Architect Associate certification around 2015 when there were only a few AWS certifications available. Watching AWS re:Invent conferences ignited my desire to be involved in the transformative projects AWS was undertaking.

The AWS Era

Since joining AWS in 2016, I have learned and grown so much. Currently, I support Startups, leveraging my extensive experience to help my customers scale and succeed. Working at AWS has been a highlight in my career, and my experience has been a source of inspiration for me to share my knowledge and experiences to help you navigate your AWS Cloud and Tech journey.

Closing Thoughts

That’s my journey in a nutshell—from help desk support to Senior Solutions Architect at AWS. My path was built on continuous learning, curiosity, and a genuine passion for technology.?That has been a core theme throughout my tech career.

Thank you for reading my story. I hope it inspires you in your tech journey. Always keep learning and never lose that curiosity!

Best regards,

Greg, ThoughtfulTechy Cloud