It was a week focused on technology, hands-on learning, and problem-solving for 23 students from the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) at the AWS Cloud Bootcamp. The event was organized by faculty members Karen Ahern and Jay Jackson.
From Monday to Thursday, participants engaged in a "bootcamp-style" experience from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., delving into cloud technologies through CSN's status as an AWS Academy. This program aims to prepare students for the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification, an entry-level industry credential, while also helping them connect with Las Vegas's IT community.
"It really gives them an opportunity to speak to professionals in our IT community so they can learn more about the upcoming jobs," said Ahern. "They’re not just hearing about concepts — they’re building, deploying and problem-solving right there in the cloud."
Lee Ramirez, a CSN student working towards a degree in cloud computing, found the bootcamp full of practical insights. "You learn so much in this bootcamp," he said. "From setting up a website using HTML to exploring AI tools — it’s all hands-on and super beneficial."
The week concluded with an AWS “Jam” on Friday—a Capture the Flag-style competition led by local industry professionals Craig von Collenberg and Derek Jamison. Students collaborated in teams to address real AWS challenges and received certificates of completion for their efforts.
CSN is covering the cost of the official AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam for interested students who complete the training, thanks to grant funding.
"When you finish this, you feel like you really know your stuff," Ramirez added. "You can’t get that kind of experience anywhere else."