Jason X.’s Post

Time Flies - Reflecting on 6 Years of Growth and Challenges at AWS (3 roles, 2 countries, 2 continents) 😃 😃 It's hard to believe, but today marks my 6th year anniversary working at AWS! When I first joined the team, I could have never imagined the incredible journey that lay ahead. The last 6 years have been a whirlwind of daily challenges, steep learning curves, and incredible growth opportunities. From mastering new technologies to navigating complex customer requirements, each day has presented unique obstacles to overcome. But it's those very challenges that have made this experience so rewarding. With the support of my talented colleagues and the innovative spirit that permeates the AWS culture, I've been able to continuously evolve, expand my skillset, and deliver impactful solutions for our customers. Looking back, I'm amazed at how much I've learned and accomplished in such a relatively short period of time. The pace of innovation at AWS is truly breathtaking, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of an organization that is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the cloud. As I reflect on this milestone, I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunities AWS has provided, the relationships I've built, and the profound impact we're making for businesses around the world. Here's to more years of adventure, growth, and overcoming the next set of daily challenges! #AWS #WorkAnniversary #ProudAmazonian #CloudComputing #CareerDevelopment

“When you talk to someone, you tend to answer your own questions.” If there is something young people at work need more than ever, it is mentorship. Pradeep Balachandran, Pradeep Balachandran Program Director, IBM Cloud emphasizes just how crucial that is for a fulfilling work life! Catch the full episode of "Teach Me Something with Nikhil Taneja" where Nikhil Taneja speaks to IBM India leaders on work tips you NEED to know! 🥰 #IBMSkillsBuild #IBM #IBMISA #IBMImpact #WeAreYuvaa #CareerGrowth #CareerAdvice

Today marks my two-year work anniversary at AWS, and as I pause to reflect, I can't help but be grateful for the invaluable lessons over the last two years as a whole but also the amazing people who have shared their insights and lessons. Many of our program beneficiaries have inquired about my journey at AWS, and I'd love to share the five guiding principles that have profoundly impacted my perspective and growth: 1️⃣ Stay true to yourself - Remember that you are your own benchmark. By staying authentic, you're setting a unique bar that you will continue to surpass. 2️⃣ Work in a team & develop the best - Whether you are an Individual Contributor or in a Team, collaboration amplifies potential. Nurturing and leaning into the strengths of a collective team fosters unmatched results. 3️⃣ Communicate, communicate, communicate - The bridge to successful outcomes is clear communication. Whether it's to express, clarify, or simply update, always keep the lines open. 4️⃣ Take risks - Venturing outside of your comfort zone is where genuine growth sprouts. While it may seem daunting, it's these leaps that lead to profound discoveries. 5️⃣ Keep your feet grounded - As we ascend in our journeys, let's not forget the foundational values and the onus to make our world a tad better than we found it. Thank you, Amazonians, AWS re/Start COs and program beneficiaries who have made the last two years a fun and remarkable journey so far. Prateek Agarwal Kimberley Odewahn Obert Hoseanto Tejas Vashi Andrew Sklar Conor McNamara Vatsun Thirapatarapong Peter Murray Eric Yeo Jerry Jimenez Bongco Kee Ho Ham Amit Mehta Hannah Belcher Colleen O'Holleran Antonella Corno Dianne D. Don Carlson Claire Buetow Claire Spiller Lucy Arundell Taruni RamamurthiValerie Leong Russell Cowley Heather Ruden Kevin Kelly Here's to many more years of learning, evolving, and uplifting one another! 🥂 @sk #WorkAnniversary #LessonsLearned #AWSJourney

Stepping into the realm of Cloud Computing, and let me tell you, it's like embarking on a thrilling journey to the digital skies! 🌥️ I'm strapping in, ready to soar through the cloud-filled horizons, fueled by curiosity and a hunger to understand this tech universe better. It's not just about learning; it's about diving headfirst into a world where innovation knows no bounds. I'm geared up to absorb every ounce of knowledge, navigate the ins and outs, and make some sense of this cloud-scape. So, buckle up and tag along on this exhilarating ride as I explore the endless potentials of #CloudComputing. This journey promises innovation, growth, and a whole lot of discovery! ☁️💡 Infosys Springboard #2024goals

This week marks my 5 year ("orange badge") anniversary with AWS, so feeling all reflective, and above all, very grateful. Confession: this is the longest I've ever stayed with any one company. But 2 countries, 3 roles, and 8 managers later (we move fast!) it's still the best place I've ever worked, and I'm still drinking the kool-aid:) AWS is truly an incredible business. When I joined as part of ASEAN, our only real constraint to growth was hiring fast enough. I'd never seen anything like it. When you're growing that fast and opportunity is everywhere, corporate politics and pettiness is nowhere to be seen. Just awesome people running as fast as we could to seize the nearly unconstrained market opportunity, and to transform businesses of every size and shape as they made the move to cloud. Now globally a $100B run rate business that already pioneered cloud technology as one major transformational shift, AWS is creating the next major step change with everything needed to drive the mass adoption of GenerativeAI. It's pretty amazing when you step back from it for a minute. But after all that's been written about Amazon/AWS - the mantra over customer obsession, our Leadership Principles, our "peculiar" culture, our intense hiring practices, our predilection for writing.... it's the people who make it such a fab place to be. Thanks to all those who took a punt on me, who have championed me, who have taught me what good really looks like (a non-exhaustive list to be sure!!) Feeling very grateful for having you in my journey. Nick Walton Thomas Beach Conor McNamara Jessica Hatch, MBA, MPA Rebel Smith Felice Maria Schiantarelli Gunish Chawla Eric Wyner Gunawan Susanto Stephen Thomas Misa Eric Yeo Laurence Si Chawapol Jariyawiroj Peter Murray Sanjay Yadave Kim Forte SUSHOVAN BASAK Mayank Nauni Chang-Gi Choi Samira Panah Bakhtiar Chris Blandy Nina Walsh Rick Jendro Ari Gerby Gajun Ganendran Daniel Kearney Santanu Dutt Shad H. Martin Brehm Manuel Baeuml Elliot Renton Somnath Chatterjee Anjali Dhanerwal Mani Thiru #AWS

🌟 Embarking on a New Chapter 🌟   After a rewarding 5-year chapter at AWS, filled with immense gratitude and memorable experiences, I'm turning the page. This journey has been less about the technical mastery and more about absorbing the essence of AWS's approach to innovation, problem-solving, and building effective teams alongside some of the most talented individuals (Xavier Naunay Moshir MIKAEL Jahed Zaïdi Benjamin MENUET Armando Segnini ☁ Donald Fossouo Amine EL MALLEM ). Overcoming challenges and contributing to impactful projects at AWS has enriched my skill set and forged lasting relationships that I deeply value. Now, I'm excited to announce a new beginning that marks not just a change in role but a continuation of my passion for innovation in the cloud space. I'm joining #DataReply as a Practice Manager, where I'll focus on scaling our business and enhancing our delivery models in a collaboration with a great mentor, Hédi Aloui. This role presents an exhilarating opportunity to leverage my experience with AWS in a dynamic new setting, guiding our teams to expand #DataReply reach and impact.   I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone at AWS for their support, mentorship (big thanks Hassen Riahi), and friendship. You've been crucial to my journey, and I carry forward the lessons and memories with great appreciation.   As I step into this new role at #DataReply, I'm eager to embark on this adventure, embracing the challenges and opportunities it brings. Here's to new beginnings, continued growth, and the exciting path ahead in scaling business at DataReply! 🚀   #Gratitude #NewBeginnings #DataReply #AWS #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth 

🌟 Exciting News & A Journey Shared! 🌟 Hello, LinkedIn family! I'm thrilled to share a glimpse into my journey to becoming an AWS APN Ambassador and the continuous path of learning and community contribution that has defined my career in cloud computing. As someone who started with a passion for technology, my adventure with AWS began at Deloitte Southeast Asia, where I embraced the challenge to not only deepen my technical expertise but also to share this knowledge far and wide. The culmination of this journey was not just about earning AWS certifications but also about using these opportunities to benefit over 5,000 professionals through various training initiatives and community engagements across the globe. Being recognized as an #AWS #APN #Ambassador and receiving accolades such as the Top Contributor #ASEAN in the APN Ambassador Program 2020 and being nominated as a technical expertise blogger by AWS in the same year have been incredibly humbling experiences. These recognitions are not just personal milestones but are also a reflection of the vibrant community that has been an integral part of my journey. I invite you to read more about this journey, the lessons learned, and how continuous learning and community engagement have shaped my career. Your insights, feedback, and stories of personal growth are what make our community stronger and more vibrant. Let’s keep the conversation going! Check out the full blog here: [First Comment Below] Let’s inspire each other to reach new heights in our professional journeys and continue making impactful contributions to the world of cloud computing! #AWS #CloudComputing #APNAmbassador #ProfessionalGrowth #CommunityEngagement #ContinuousLearning #Inspiration

She Stories"! Empowering Women's Voices at Sakkhi. ️ 🌟 Celebrating Women of Achievement! 🌟 👩🎓 Meet a trailblazing woman from our Sakkhi community! Shefali Arora I am Shefali Arora, Director at Rashiv Cloud Solutions, and a dedicated tech professional with a Master’s in Computer Science and 15 years of experience. Starting my career at Satyam Computers in 2005, my early years were smooth and fulfilling. Two years later, prioritizing my family, I left Satyam to plan for my first child. After a two-year break, I completed several certifications and secured my second job in IT. However, balancing a demanding IT job with family life proved challenging, and I decided to leave my job. I realized it was time for a career shift that allowed for professional and personal growth. I pursued a Master’s degree from Mumbai University and took up a professorship at an engineering college. After completing my degree, another career break occurred due to a move to a new city and the addition of a new family member. Many women can relate to these career interruptions. In Bangalore in 2015, after a few interviews, I started my fourth job as an Assistant Professor at an engineering college. Here, I became an AWS Educator and earned my first certification as an AWS Cloud Practitioner. Balancing a full-time job, motherhood, and additional learning was tough, but my curiosity and eagerness to learn led me to achieve my AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification. Through LinkedIn, I sought guidance from experts in the cloud domain. Then, a life-changing opportunity arose: attending an ICA workshop by an Amazon Training Partner to become an AWS Authorized Instructor (AAI). Initially unaware of the workshop’s demands, I prepared alongside my full-time job but failed my first attempt. This failure highlighted the depth of knowledge required, and I set a goal to achieve the AAI badge. Preparing for the AAI badge required 8-10 hours of daily study, which was challenging with a full-time job. I chose to quit my job and focus solely on AWS preparation. My family supported me through these tough times. After three months of continuous effort, I reappeared for the ICA workshop and succeeded, earning the AAI badge—a golden moment for me. I went on to become an AWS reStart Accredited Instructor and have delivered around 10 batches of AWS reStart trainings. Today, I run my own startup focused on corporate training, collaborating with clients both in and outside India. My success story was featured at AWS Community Day India in November 2022. Many of my learners have secured IT jobs after completing the AWS reStart course and getting certified, even those from non-tech backgrounds. To the youth of India, I want to say: it’s never too late to learn new skills. Keep upskilling. #SheStories #WomenInTech #Inspiration #CareerJourney #TechLeaders #WomenEmpowerment #CareerGrowth #Upskilling #Mentorship #SuccessStory #WomenWhoLead #TechEducation #Networking

As I close and incredible chapter at AWS, I am filled with profound gratitude and appreciation for the experiences, relationships, and knowledge I’ve gained over the last 5 1/2 years. 🚀 Learning and Innovation: AWS has been a remarkable environment where innovation is not just encouraged but is at the very core of our daily work. The forward-thinking approach has allowed me to explore the latest technologies and push the boundaries of what’s possible. The constant drive for excellence here has truly shaped my understanding of what it means to be a part of an industry leader. 🌍 Global Impact: Being part of a team that makes a significant impact on businesses and communities worldwide has been a privilege. It reinforced the importance of scalability, reliability, and security in creating solutions that serve millions. The lessons I’ve learned here about cloud, customer obsession, and innovation will stay with me throughout my career. 👥 Incredible Relationships: More than anything, it’s the people at AWS who have made this journey unforgettable. I’ve had the privilege to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. The camaraderie, mentorship, and friendships forged here are irreplaceable. Thank you to all my colleagues, mentors, and team members who have supported, challenged, and inspired me every day. 🌟 Gratitude: I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had at AWS. This journey has been transformative, both professionally and personally. I leave with a wealth of knowledge and a heart full of gratitude for the ways AWS has helped me grow. To my colleagues, friends, and mentors at AWS: You’ve been an essential part of my journey, and I am thankful for every moment we’ve shared. I look forward to staying connected and watching AWS continue to innovate and inspire. And now...onto the next great professional adventure...stay tuned! #AWS #Gratitude #Innovation #NewBeginnings #ItsalwaysDayOne

Today is my 6th anniversary at AWS. What have I learned so far? 1. Always take time sharpen the saw. New technologies don’t remain new for long. Evolution is the only constant. 2. Make time for others journeys. It’s easy to get caught up in that race to the top. Sometimes you can excel through making sure others do better. 3. Don’t try to be the smartest person in the room! There is always someone smarter so invest your time in being rightest person… is that a word? 4. Don’t think that management are above you. They are there to assist you on your career journey and fight your corner. This is how it should be of course. 5. Don’t be afraid to challenge belief’s held by others, especially when it comes to technology and strategy. The amount of folks I meet trading off old information “as they went to that training course 4 years ago” is staggering. 6. Always be nice to people. It can’t hurt and has really positive results when people respond. Onwards!