Cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing jobs today. According to Indeed, the share of cloud computing jobs per million increased by 42 percent from March 2018 to March 2021.
If you’re looking to jumpstart or further your cloud career, Cloud Study Jams can put you on a clear, accessible path to learning Google Cloud tools. Many developers use them as a jumping-off point to earning their Google Cloud Certification.
What Is a Cloud Study Jam?
Cloud Study Jams, provided through Google Cloud Study Jam Partners and Google Developer Groups (GDG), are community-run study groups that provide hands-on Google Cloud training.
Cloud Study Jams are for everyone and anyone wanting to learn more about the features and capabilities of Google Cloud. From machine learning to data analytics, there are many learning tracks to pick from. You can explore the Google Cloud fundamentals, or dive deep into a tool like BigQuery to develop niche skills. Attending a Cloud Study Jam, you’ll gain access to:
- A sandboxed cloud environment to practice skills
- Free access to Qwiklabs
- Cloud experts for support
- And a community of like-minded people
Let’s unpack these benefits further.
Get Hands-on with Google Cloud Tools and Learn Real Skills — for Free
Google Cloud alone offers more than 100 products and services. That’s not counting adjacent platforms today’s developers need to know, like Kubernetes.
One of the top benefits of joining a Cloud Study Jam is it gives you a chance to get hands-on experience with Google Cloud tools free of cost in practice labs. These practice lab sessions are expert-led, so you always have someone to turn to for help.
And the learning doesn’t stop when the session ends. In addition, all participants get one month of free access to Qwiklabs, which provides hands-on cloud training within a sandboxed environment. Catch a tour of Qwiklabs and Google Cloud here.
Find One Anywhere Around the World
The number of Cloud Study Jams is growing, and they’re happening around the world. Chances are there’s a Google Developer Group in your community. (But, if joining in person isn’t an option, you can also attend one virtually.)
There are currently over 800 GDG programs in more than 60 countries worldwide. You can search this directory to find a group near you.
Meet and Network with Other Developers
As with any meetup group, perhaps the best (and most fun) part is the opportunity to meet like-minded people also trying to level up their cloud skills. Cloud Study Jams can be an introduction to your local tech community. People often connect during your training and then stay in touch online or at future sessions.
These sessions also give you the chance to chat with technical experts in your field who can show you how to apply your learnings in the real world.
They Provide a Flexible Learning Environment
The length and format of Cloud Study Jams vary. One lab could be up to two hours while another could be spread out over the course of several days. Some are instructor-led while others are self-paced.
Meetups typically see 20-50 attendees per session.
Sign Up for a Cloud Study Jam Today
Ready to level up your cloud skills? Sign up for an upcoming Cloud Study Jam with Qwinix, or subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned as we announce new ones.
If you’re a leader looking to upskill your development team in Google Cloud, let’s jam on it — Qwinix partners with Google Cloud to host virtual and in-person training. Request a Cloud Study Jam for your team today and learn about custom training curriculums.