How to Get Started with Microsoft Azure?

If you're more focused on data, why not start with Azure's Blob storage or Azure SQL? That way, you can grow into other areas like Azure Functions later. Also, you might want to watch 'Azure Academy' on YouTube; they have some fantastic content that could really kickstart your learning.

A tip to bear in mind is to consider Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices, like using Terraform. It might be a bit tougher upfront, but it'll pay off in the long run if you start off using best practices!

Have you checked out John Saville on YouTube? His tutorials are super helpful! Plus, going through the MS Learn training path for the AZ-900 certification is a solid move. It's a free option and includes useful exercises, though be aware that the exam isn't free.

A great starting point is to create a Virtual Machine (VM). Doing this will give you exposure to key concepts like Resource Groups, Virtual Networks, Subnets, Network Security Groups, Disk Management, and more. It's also crucial to go through Microsoft's documentation on these topics. Once you're comfortable, you can explore automating VMs with Azure CLI and delve into more advanced topics like scale sets and availability sets. Always keep an eye on costs to avoid unexpected charges—delete VMs when you're done and be cautious with public IPs and disks.