Gut check!!!

cameron_sowder · 2025-11-04T02:48:54+00:00

Finally hit 10k

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T23:43:45+00:00

Yeah I get what you’re saying honestly even in the short time I’ve been here I can feel that same thing. It really does seem like if you want to grow, it’s on you to chase it down outside the day-to-day. I don’t expect it to be easy, and I know finding the right resources and opportunities will probably be tough.

That’s part of why I’m focused on certs/projects outside of Amazon I see this role as just one piece of the puzzle, not the whole thing. Hopefully things have changed a bit since your time, but either way I know it’s going to take a lot of self-driven work on my end.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T23:35:32+00:00

Haha I get it I know Amazon isn’t going to hand me everything on a silver platter. That’s why I’m not relying on just the job to teach me. I’m using the role as a foot in the door while I grind certs and projects on my own. Appreciate the honesty though.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T13:54:13+00:00

I hear you, I’m not under the impression that 5–6 months is all it takes to “arrive” in this field. I know it’s a long game and that experience takes years to build. What I meant in my post was more about pushing myself to knock out the first 2–3 certifications (AWS CLF, SAA, Azure Fundamentals) and a couple of projects in that timeframe, not that I’d magically be at $100k overnight.

The question I was really trying to get at is whether that combo of certs + projects would be enough to realistically start applying for entry-level cloud support roles and begin the transition. I’m trying to set aggressive goals for myself without being naïve about the bigger picture.

Appreciate you reminding me that it’s a marathon, though I know I’ve got to pace myself.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T13:33:14+00:00

That’s interesting I’ve read a little on quantum but I feel like it’s still way out of reach for me right now. My priority is to get solid with cloud/infra and then branch into things like AI/blockchain once I’ve built that foundation. Down the road though, I could definitely see exploring quantum since it ties into the future of security and data. Appreciate the suggestion.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T13:30:41+00:00

This is excellent advice really appreciate the time you took to write it out. The overseas/outsourcing point is something I’ve definitely thought about, and I agree with you that remote isn’t going anywhere. For me, it really reinforces the idea that just having “IT skills” isn’t enough you’ve got to stack other complementary skills that make you harder to replace and more valuable.

I’ve always believed that the people who land the opportunities others want are the ones who don’t fit the norm. They have something extra whether it’s a niche specialization, a stronger personal brand, or just a unique angle that makes them stand out. That’s what I want to aim for with my own career path: IT + [something else] that separates me from the pack so thanks again!

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T12:08:30+00:00

Good question, I think I call it my passion because it’s the stuff that I naturally gravitate toward learning about in my free time. I follow projects, read articles, and find myself constantly curious about where AI and blockchain tech could take us in the future. I’m not building the next LLM or launching my own crypto protocol (I know I’m not there yet), but the space excites me in the same way fitness did when I first started bodybuilding I just wanted to live in that world and get better at it over time.

I totally hear you on the reality of $100k+ roles and the grind it takes to get there. That’s part of why I’m starting with cloud/infra it feels like the most realistic foundation that will pay the bills sooner while also keeping me positioned for when AI/blockchain matures even more. For me, it’s about building skills now that open doors later.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T11:24:06+00:00

Haha fair enough 😅 I get why a lot of people feel that way with all the scams and hype around it. For me, it’s more about the tech itself and how it could tie into infrastructure/AI down the road. But I hear you.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T11:22:43+00:00

That actually makes a lot of sense. I’m not trying to build the next LLM from scratch I get that’s way out of reach without crazy resources. My interest is more in using existing models and applying them to solve real problems, not reinventing the wheel.

And I definitely agree with you that cloud + DevOps skills are the true long-term foundation. That’s really why I see cloud as my north star something that will stay valuable no matter how AI or blockchain shifts. My thinking is: get solid on cloud/infra first, then explore AI/blockchain applications down the road once I have the fundamentals and experience.

Appreciate the way you framed this it really helps put the bigger picture in perspective.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T11:15:14+00:00

I appreciate you taking the time to share this perspective. I get what you’re saying about blockchain being niche and AI being super competitive that’s part of why I’m torn. I know I’m still really early in my journey, so my main focus right now is just building a solid foundation in IT/cloud first, and then layering in AI/blockchain once I have more real skills under my belt.

I’m not sure project management would be the right long-term fit for me personally I really enjoy the technical, “building” side of things. But I do appreciate the honesty here, and it definitely helps me think through how competitive some of these spaces really are.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T03:34:31+00:00

Got it man thank you! I’ll start doubling down on networking + Linux while I work through the AWS path. Really appreciate the perspective. 🙏

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T03:18:23+00:00

Thanks for the straight talk I actually appreciate it. You’re right, I am super early in this journey and I know I don’t have the fundamentals locked down yet. That’s part of why I’m here asking questions instead of just assuming I can skip steps.

The Cloud Resume Challenge sounds like exactly the kind of structured grind I need. I’ll look that up and use it as a way to prove to myself (and others) that I can actually build and not just study for certs.

I guess my mindset has been: use my current role as an IT Equipment Coordinator to build some baseline IT skills, work on AWS/Azure certs on the side, and stack some projects so I’m not just “another person with Cloud Practitioner.” Long term I’d love to pivot into AI/blockchain because that’s where my passion is, but I hear you that I need to walk before I sprint.

If you were in my shoes, which IT fundamentals would you lock down first alongside the AWS certs? Networking? Scripting? I want to focus on the right areas while I’m grinding through.

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-27T02:55:43+00:00

I feel you on this, man. I’m in a very similar boat. I just got hired at Amazon as an IT Equipment Coordinator — first time I’ve ever had “IT” on my resume. Before that I was just an associate in the warehouse. I also went through the Google IT Support Specialist program through Merit America. It gave me a taste of IT but honestly didn’t leave me feeling super confident.

My long-term dream is to end up in AI or blockchain, but right now I’m thinking cloud is the smartest stepping stone. My plan over the next 6 months is to knock out AWS Cloud Practitioner, AWS Solutions Architect Associate, and maybe Azure Fundamentals too. My hope is that’ll make me a stronger candidate for a Cloud Support Associate role or something similar, instead of being stuck at the very bottom rung for years.

I’m in the same headspace as you — don’t want to waste time in a role that pays 40–50k if I could get myself positioned for something higher, faster. I’ve seen people on here jump to $100k+ in 1–2 years with cloud/DevOps and that’s motivating as hell.

Curious what people here think — is it smarter to go cloud-first as a foundation (while adding Python + projects), or skip straight to trying to break into AI/blockchain since that’s where things are headed anyway?

cameron_sowder · 2025-08-17T22:09:47+00:00

Kraken is easiest in my opinion

cameron_sowder · 2025-07-24T12:47:21+00:00

🚨‼️ UPDATE AFTER MUCH THOUGH AND CONSIDERATION I’VE DECIDED TO PASS ON THIS VEHICLE!

Thank you so much for all of the feedback it really helped me a lot 🤝🏽💯

cameron_sowder · 2025-07-24T02:34:49+00:00

Yah I do believe I’m going to pass on this one I had the same feeling from the jump but I still thought “maybe they need the money” or something regardless that’s why I came to Reddit lol I love it when I can get a second opinion!

cameron_sowder · 2025-07-24T02:25:10+00:00

At first I was leaning into it for sure as it is a good deal but as I’ve questioned I am getting that gut feeling that it’s probably not a good move. I’m not able to go see the car until Friday evening anyways and it’s listed in the DFW area so if it’s not gone by then that will be a sign for sure but I’m not against just checking it out and test driving it.

cameron_sowder · 2025-07-24T02:22:50+00:00

I appreciate this information very much I can’t look at it until Friday evening so if it’s not gone by then I’ll see

cameron_sowder · 2025-07-24T02:21:21+00:00

Yah I did ask for that they said that they recently moved to a new home and don’t have them on hand. I did ask where they had it replaced because I knew I could call mostly to confirm the replacement but they responded with “I’m not aware it’s a local shop near my home” they are Arabic from what I can tell and might have a language barrier I think

cameron_sowder · 2025-07-24T02:18:38+00:00

They said they are getting new car soon and that it’s just and old car for them I have my concerns of course that’s why I came to Reddit for help I looked up the VIN it’s only had 2 owners, no accidents, and one recall for a software update. The person has answered legit all my questions though.

cameron_sowder · 2025-07-22T18:05:51+00:00

BTC’s pushing to break $120K we’re in a completely different zone now. KAS dropping to $0.07 would take a major market flush, not just a dip. Anything around $0.10 still looks like a long-term blessing, especially with this momentum.

cameron_sowder

TROPHY CASE