I received a three-month AWS Skill Builder subscription through the AWS AI & ML Scholars 2026 program and want to use it effectively. I'm especially interested in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, with the goal of building a solid AWS foundation before moving into machine learning and the overlap between cloud and AI. What courses, hands-on activities, learning sequence, or certifications would be most valuable to focus on during these three months?
4 Answers
If your main goal is cloud and AI rather than collecting entry-level certificates, prioritize practical AWS skills and one substantial certification. A good three-month plan would be cloud fundamentals first, Solutions Architect preparation next, and then introductory AI and machine learning services such as Amazon SageMaker and managed generative AI tools. Keep notes on architecture decisions and costs while working on projects.
Start with the basic cloud concepts and use Cloud Quest or similar interactive exercises to get hands-on experience in the AWS console. Then work toward Solutions Architect – Associate, since it covers a broad range of important services and gives you a strong foundation for later AI studies. The official practice assessments are also worth using because they closely reflect the style of the certification exams.
A practical sequence would be to learn the core AWS services first, then prepare for the Solutions Architect – Associate certification. Cloud Practitioner can be useful for people who are completely new to technology, but it’s not essential if you’re comfortable studying directly for Solutions Architect – Associate. After that foundation, move into the AI and machine learning learning paths.
Don’t focus only on finishing courses. Build small projects as you learn so the concepts become practical. For example, you could create a simple application using S3, Lambda, and DynamoDB, then expand it with monitoring, permissions, and an AI-powered feature. Use the learning material to fill gaps you discover while building.
That makes sense. I’ll compare the beginner material with the Solutions Architect path and avoid spending too much time on overlapping certifications.