https://lukelittle.com/tags/vcu/Recent content in VCU on Luke LittleHugo -- 0.160.1enTue, 03 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500https://lukelittle.com/posts/2026/03/speaking-at-vcu-cracking-the-cloud-and-the-evolution-of-aws-learning/Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500https://lukelittle.com/posts/2026/03/speaking-at-vcu-cracking-the-cloud-and-the-evolution-of-aws-learning/<p>I had the privilege of speaking at the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Commonwealth University&rsquo;s College of Engineering on March 3rd, presenting &ldquo;Cracking the Cloud: How AWS Certifications Can Launch Your Career&rdquo; to a group of engaged Computer Science seniors.</p> <h2 id="the-presentation">The Presentation</h2> <p>My talk focused on how early-career technologists can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive field. Three themes anchored the session: strategic certifications — particularly AWS certifications as a way to validate cloud skills before you have the job title to back them up — self-directed projects that demonstrate practical problem-solving, and building genuine relationships in the industry. That last one always gets a laugh because I tell students it sometimes means getting away from the keyboard entirely and, as I like to say, &ldquo;doing a little grass touching.&rdquo;</p>