Level Up: My Journey with AWS New Voices

This is just a snapshot of what went down these past five weeks — the experience is much bigger than what I’m about to tell you.

Even though I have spoken at many events over the years, I knew I could do better. That’s why I joined the AWS New Voices program. It wasn’t about starting from scratch; it was about leveling up. On February 5th, I got the “You’re in!” email. Time to sharpen those skills.

Week One: Breaking It Down

First challenge? Explain cloud computing to someone with zero tech knowledge. I used a bookshelf analogy:

“Imagine you love reading but don’t want to buy every book. Instead, you use a bookshelf rental service. You can borrow any book anytime, read it, then return it for another — without worrying about storage or maintenance. That’s cloud computing! Instead of buying and maintaining expensive computers or servers, businesses rent computing power, storage, and services from cloud providers like AWS. They get what they need, use it, and return it when they’re done — paying only for what they use. It’s flexible, cost-effective, and hassle-free!”

Next up, storytelling — sell something, anything. I tried selling my phone:

“Hey, check this out — this phone isn’t just a phone, it’s your personal assistant.

📸 A 50MP camera that captures memories in stunning detail.
⚡ Lightning-fast processor, so no more lag.
🔋 All-day battery life — because who has time to charge every few hours?
🌎 5G speed, keeping you connected anywhere, anytime.

And the best part? It’s built for YOU. Simple, powerful, and ready to keep up with your life. So… who wants it?”

Week Two: The Art of Storytelling

This week, we dove into structured storytelling using this framework:

• Once upon a time…
• Every day…
• But, one day…
• Because of that…
• Until, finally…
• And, ever since then…

I told a story about my lost bike, how a repairman gave me hope, and how I searched everywhere — only to realize I’d never see it again. (Yeah, life lessons.)

Then, we learned how to prep for a talk: Know your audience. Know your goal. Keep your key points clear. I focused on Microsoft 365 for beginners with three takeaways:

1. Understand M365.
2. Master the Admin Portal and PowerShell.
3. Learn best practices for security.

Week Three: Hooks and Delivery

Things sped up — short talks, tongue twisters, and mastering the “hook.” How do you grab attention? Stories, stats, bold questions, visuals, quotes.

My intro went like this:

• Imagine getting lost in a digital maze, like I did with M365.
• Did you know 70% of new admins feel lost?
• What if you could turn that around?
• (Imagine a messy dashboard becoming organized.)
• “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” — Peter Drucker

I shared my experience, what they’d gain, and why it mattered. Then a call to action: try M365 yourself.

Week Four: Improv & Quick Thinking

Short talks, rapid-fire delivery, and thinking on your feet. It was all about keeping it real — no scripts, just confidence and clarity. We practiced explaining complex topics with visuals, keeping the audience engaged, and adapting on the fly.

Week Five: Wrap-Up & The Final Challenge

Remember that hook? Let it sink in. But here’s the thing — this isn’t just about talking; it’s about impact.

Then, the news dropped:

• If you want that badge, you need at least three out of five sessions in the bag.
• The Slack group? That’s your community now. Find a mentor, keep learning, grow.
• And if you really want to prove yourself? Step up and give a public talk by July 1st. That’s how you lock in the certification.

But let’s be real — this isn’t school, and nobody’s grading you. Either you show up and put in the work, or you fade into the background. Me? I don’t do background. I’m taking this all the way.

Final Thoughts: Lessons Learned

Shoutout to the AWS Community Builders for making this happen. And to Meridith Grundei, our coach, for the incredible guidance.

Here’s what I learned:

• Tell your story — nobody else can tell it like you.
• Know your audience — what do they need from you?
• Keep it simple — complexity kills engagement.
• Grab attention fast — you have seconds, not minutes.
• Practice, practice, practice — until it feels natural.

This program? It pushed me. Now, I’m ready to share my skills with the world.