My name is Akshay Gir, and I bring over 20 years of extensive experience to my role as a Senior Program Manager. Throughout my career, I have honed my skills across various domains, including training, software development, and testing.

I’m currently working as a Senior Program Manager, I bring a strong technical background and outstanding leadership abilities to the table. With a strong educational background and extensive experience leading complicated technical projects, I’m known for inspiring and mentoring teams, creating a collaborative environment that fosters creativity and generates results that line with organization goals.

Before joining the PGP Cloud Computing program with Great Learning, my absolute biggest professional challenge was navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud computing without formal training or guidance. I found myself facing a steep learning curve in understanding the cloud concepts, architectures, and technologies. 

Joining your program represented a pivotal moment for me, as it offered a structured and comprehensive curriculum specifically designed to address the challenges I was facing. Knowing that I would have access to industry experts, hands-on labs, and a supportive learning community gave me the confidence and motivation to take on this professional challenge head-on.

I choose Great Learning Cloud Architect program for a couple of reasons.

• The Cloud Architect program offered a wide range of topics relevant to cloud computing, including AWS, Azure, GCP. This aligned perfectly with my career goals of becoming proficient in multiple cloud platforms and maximizing my job opportunities in the cloud computing industry.

• Apart from the Cloud Architect program, Great Learning also offered additional materials covering a range of additional topics such as Microservices, DevOps, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) on Cloud, and Data Analytics. These addon materials provided with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in key areas complementary to cloud architecture, enabling me to develop a comprehensive understanding of modern IT practices and emerging technologies. Whether focusing on enhancing application scalability with Microservices, streamlining software development processes through DevOps methodologies, harnessing the power of AI/ML in cloud environments, or unlocking insights from data with advanced analytics techniques, these resources empowered me to expand my expertise and stay ahead in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.

• Great Learning offered a flexible learning format that allowed me to balance my professional commitments with my learning. Whether it’s through online lectures, hands-on labs, or interactive sessions with instructors, I appreciate the convenience and accessibility of their learning platform.

Mentored learning sessions at Great Learning have been invaluable to me for several reasons.

• Having access to experienced mentors who are experts in their respective fields provided me with personalized guidance and support throughout my learning journey. Whether I had questions about complex concepts or need assistance with practical implementations, having a mentor to turn to ensured that I receive timely and accurate guidance.

• Mentored learning sessions allowed for interactive discussions and knowledge sharing in a supportive environment. Being able to engage with mentors and fellow learners not only enhanced my understanding of the course material but also exposed me to different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. 

• Mentors often shared their industry insights, career advice, and real-world experiences, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of how the concepts I’m learning apply in practical scenarios. 

I am extremely impressed with the quality of mentored learning sessions provided by Great Learning and surpassed my expectations. One aspect that stood out to me was the personalized attention and guidance offered during these sessions. The mentors fostered a collaborative learning atmosphere and took the time to understand each learner’s unique needs and learning style, tailoring their support accordingly. Whether I had questions about course material, needed clarification on a concept, or required assistance with a project, the mentors were always available to provide thorough explanations and practical insights.

I also appreciate the mentors’ commitment to staying updated with the latest industry trends and best practices. Their real-world experience and insights into current industry standards added immense value to the learning experience and helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Overall, I believe that all the mentors played a crucial role in my success during the program. Their unwavering support, guidance, and mentorship has been invaluable assets that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am incredibly grateful for their contributions to my learning journey and consider them an essential part of my success.

On a personal level, the Cloud Architect program has opened up exciting career opportunities with an expanded professional network. I will accomplish several significant milestones in the future that will have a transformative impact on my career. 

Here’s some valuable advice I’d like to share:

1. Grasp the fundamentals of the cloud: Begin by understanding the fundamentals of cloud computing, including the key concepts, terminology, and service models. This will lay a solid foundation.
2. Choose the Cloud Provider: Choose one of the major cloud providers to focus on first. Each provider provides free accounts as well as substantial documentation and tutorials to assist new users in getting started.
3. Hands-On Practice: Theory is important, but hands-on experience is crucial for truly understanding cloud computing. Make use of the free-tier offerings to experiment with various services on the cloud.
4. Keep yourself Updated: Cloud computing is a rapidly evolving field, with new services and features being released frequently. Stay updated with the latest trends, best practices, and certifications to remain competitive.
5. Embrace Continuous Learning: Cloud computing is a huge and ever-changing industry, so make a commitment to ongoing learning. Set aside time each week to learn about new topics, try out new services, and keep up with the newest advancements.
6. Join Communities/Forums: Engage with other learners and professionals in cloud computing communities/forums, such as Stack Overflow, Reddit’s r/cloudcomputing, or LinkedIn groups. Participating in discussions and asking questions can provide valuable insights and support. These communities /Forums act as a great mentor to you.
7. Last but not least Enjoy the journey! Learning cloud computing can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Embrace the challenges, celebrate your progress, and keep exploring the vast potential of the cloud.