Getting Started in a New Technology Ecosystem
Mar 20
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So, you’ve decided to dive into a new technology ecosystem. Maybe your customer just signed a massive deal with Salesforce, or they are insisting everything else must be done on AWS.
Perhaps you’re looking to upskill your team with Azure or ServiceNow, but the sheer number of learning options has you feeling like you just opened a 1,000-piece puzzle with no picture on the box.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
Learning a new tech ecosystem doesn’t have to be overwhelming (or require selling a kidney for certification fees). Whether you’re a consultant looking to expand your expertise, a data engineer transitioning into a new role, or just someone who enjoys the thrill of tackling yet another tool stack, there are plenty of free and paid resources to help you get started.
Here’s a breakdown of some of our favorite starting point learning options—many of which won’t cost you a dime.
Where to Start? The Universal Platform Learning Toolkit
No matter which tech ecosystem you’re jumping into, you’ll find some common learning paths that make the process easier:
✔️ LinkedIn Learning – Great for structured, professional-grade courses.
✔️ Udemy & Coursera – Frequent discounts and free introductory courses on nearly every tech platform.
✔️ YouTube Channels – Tons of high-quality tutorials from the technology provider themselves as well as experts who are typically active practitioners in their field.
✔️ Discord & Reddit Channels – Because sometimes, you just need to ask a real human a real question.
✔️ Local User Groups & Communities – In-person or virtual meetups where you can connect with others on the same learning or career journey.
✔️ Free Slack Channels – Some ecosystems have dedicated Slack communities where experts and newbies alike share insights.
Trailhead – Salesforce’s official and free learning platform.
Offers guided learning paths, hands-on exercises, and quizzes.
Start with the “Admin Beginner” trail to learn the basics.
Earn badges and superbadges to showcase your skills.
Provides free blog posts, study guides, and practice questions for the Salesforce Admin exam.
Some content is paid, but there are plenty of free resources to get started.
Sign up for a Free Salesforce Developer Org
Gives you a fully functional Salesforce environment to practice in.
Quick Start SFDC Cheat Sheet:
1️⃣ Create a Trailhead account and complete the Admin Beginner trail.
2️⃣ Join the Trailblazer Community to network and ask questions.
3️⃣ Set up a free Salesforce Developer Org to practice hands-on.
4️⃣ Watch YouTube tutorials or find a free Udemy course to supplement your learning.
5️⃣ Join a Salesforce study group on Discord or LinkedIn.
AWS’s official training platform with free courses on cloud computing, AWS services, and system administration.
Start with “AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials” and “AWS Technical Essentials”.
Free AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner prep course.
Designed for beginners with free hands-on labs and training.
No AWS account required to start learning!
AWS Free Tier - Gives you 12 months of free access to AWS services like EC2, S3, and RDS to practice admin tasks hands-on.
AWS Documentation – The ultimate reference for AWS services and best practices.
AWS Hands-On Tutorials – Step-by-step exercises to practice AWS administration.
Quick Start AWS Cheat Sheet:
1️⃣ Create an AWS Free Tier account to start practicing.
2️⃣ Take free AWS training on AWS Skill Builder (start with “Cloud Practitioner Essentials”).
3️⃣ Watch AWS YouTube tutorials for hands-on guidance.
4️⃣ Join AWS forums and Discord channels to connect with others.
5️⃣ Try free Udemy or Coursera AWS courses to supplement your learning.
Microsoft Learn - Azure Training
Completely free official Microsoft training for Azure.
Interactive hands-on labs and guided learning paths for Azure administration.
Start with:
“Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)” – For beginners.
“Azure Administrator (AZ-104)” – For those focusing on administration.
Microsoft Learn Sandbox - Free Azure practice environment to experiment without needing a paid subscription.
Includes 12 months of free services + $200 in credits for 30 days.
Allows you to practice Azure Virtual Machines, Storage, Networking, and more.
Azure Documentation – The best reference for Azure services.
Azure Hands-On Labs – Practice with real-world Azure scenarios.
Quick Start Microsoft Azure Cheat Sheet:
1️⃣ Create a free Azure account to practice hands-on.
2️⃣ Take free courses on Microsoft Learn (start with AZ-900, then AZ-104).
3️⃣ Watch Azure tutorials on YouTube for additional insights.
4️⃣ Join the Azure community (Reddit, Discord, Microsoft Q&A) for networking and help.
5️⃣ Check Udemy and Coursera for free Azure courses.
Offers free courses on the basics of ServiceNow, including administration, workflows, and scripting.
Start with the “ServiceNow Fundamentals” course.
Includes hands-on exercises and interactive learning.
Sign up for a free personal developer instance (PDI) to practice hands-on.
Access to ServiceNow product documentation and APIs.
Step-by-step guides for setting up and customizing ServiceNow.
ServiceNow Docs – Deep dive into official documentation.
ServiceNow Blog – Keep up with platform updates and best practices.
Quick Start ServiceNow Cheat Sheet:
1️⃣ Sign up on the ServiceNow Learning Platform and complete “ServiceNow Fundamentals.”
2️⃣ Get a free developer instance from the ServiceNow Developer Portal and start practicing.
3️⃣ Watch free YouTube tutorials for hands-on learning.
4️⃣ Join the ServiceNow Community & Reddit to network with other learners.
5️⃣ Explore Udemy and Coursera for free or low-cost courses.
