Conquering the Cloud: My Cloud Resume Challenge Experience

The Cloud Resume Challenge, introduced to me by my mentor in 2022, had long been a goal on my horizon. While initially daunting, I embraced the challenge, and after nearly two years — during which I experienced major life transitions — I finally achieved victory this December! This journey was a testament to the power of determination, consistent learning, and a healthy dose of perseverance.

My Journey

Leveraging Resources

My approach was heavily influenced by the resources available online. While Tim Braagal’s guide from “The Cloud Resume Challenge” provided a solid foundation, I found Rishab Kumar’s YouTube videos incredibly helpful in breaking down complex concepts.

AWS Services

I leveraged AWS extensively throughout the project:

• Organizations & Accounts: I set up AWS organizations and created dedicated test environments for experimentation and a production account for my final project.
• DynamoDB: I used DynamoDB as the database layer for the project, creating a table to store and update website visitor counts. This allowed seamless integration with Lambda functions to retrieve and modify data in real time.
• Lambda Functions: AWS Lambda powered backend operations like counting website viewers and creating API endpoints with function URLs for seamless integration.
• Custom Domain: I added a professional touch to my project by setting up a custom domain with Route 53.
• CloudFront: To enhance website performance and security, I implemented CloudFront for efficient content delivery.

GitHub Actions

Embracing continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), I configured GitHub Actions to automate deployments, streamlining my workflow and ensuring consistent updates.

Website Design

Dissatisfied with my initial design, I enhanced the visual appeal of my resume using CSS and JavaScript, incorporating interactive elements for a more engaging user experience.

Terraform

Although intimidating at first, I learned to leverage Terraform to automate infrastructure provisioning. This not only sped up my workflow but also deepened my understanding of Infrastructure as Code (IaC).

Development Tools

I relied on VS Code as my primary development environment and used Git for version control to effectively manage code changes throughout the project.

Overcoming Challenges

My journey wasn’t without its challenges. I encountered numerous roadblocks, from debugging complex code to troubleshooting deployment issues. However, I persisted, drawing upon my prior experience with Python (acquired over the past year) to problem-solve and develop creative solutions.

A Triumph of Growth

The sense of accomplishment upon finally completing the Cloud Resume Challenge was immense. This project significantly enhanced my cloud computing skills and instilled in me the valuable lesson that any seemingly daunting challenge can be overcome with consistent effort, dedication, and a willingness to learn.

Links

• GitHub Repository: Cloud Resume Challenge
• Online Resume: timmylegend.com