Introducing Learner Central: The empowering new Microsoft Learn learning room hub
By Kerry Herger Have you discovered Microsoft Learn learning rooms? In these dedicated environments hosted on Microsoft Teams, you can connect with colleagues and tech experts to dive deep into topic-specific questions via asynchronous discussions and virtual sessions. Current learning rooms focus on the latest tech subjects, including, “AI for everyone,” “All things Azure architecture and development,” “Cloud Security Study Group,” and many more. Are you ready to explore these rooms as you embark on an exciting journey of learning, growth, and discovery? At Microsoft Learn, our mission is to empower learners of all backgrounds, skill levels, and languages on their technical skill-building journey. We know that our learning rooms can benefit all learners, but we also understand that everyone's learning path is unique, and some learners might not be sure where to begin. Plus, they might not even know about the variety of opportunities and resources available to them in the learning rooms. That's why we're introducing Learner Central—your all-in-one hub for navigating the rich landscape of skill-building content, training, events, and experiences across all Microsoft Learn learning rooms—even those you haven’t yet joined. Expert speaking to cohort of learners. A community that's here for you In our learning rooms, you can collaborate with colleagues and subject matter experts and receive guided support by participating in peer-to-peer sessions and discussions on the tech topics that interest and inspire you the most. Start conversations, view and share files, and get expert guidance. We're dedicated to meeting you where you are in your learning journey, propelling you toward your goals, and celebrating every milestone along the way. With the addition of Learner Central, we’re continuing our commitment to building a diverse and supportive learning community. Join, learn, grow Whether you're a beginner eager to dive into new tech topics or an expert who wants to add to your expertise, you have access to a wealth of resources, events, and sessions that align with your tech interests and goals. Learner Central is designed to help ensure that you're aware of the latest happenings, opportunities, and resources in the Microsoft Learn Community—all from a single spot—regardless of which learning rooms you’ve joined. This destination goes beyond just connecting you to content about cutting-edge technology and skills—it's also about enriching your learning experience and forging community connections with fellow learners, mentors, and experts, creating a vibrant ecosystem of support. Weekly roundup of learning excellence As an added bonus, Learner Central offers a Weekly roundup channel, highlighting activities across all of our learning rooms to help you navigate the wide spectrum of skill-building opportunities and resources. This curated digest keeps you in the know about workshops, webinars, interactive “ask me anything” (AMA) sessions, videos, community meetups, and more—everything you need to fuel your tech learning journey, all in one place, so you don’t miss any opportunity to build your skills and connect with the community. For added insight, we’ve also included a Meet the Microsoft Learn experts directory. Plus, you have an easy Join a learning room option so you can participate in an activity you found in the roundup. Join the Microsoft Learn Community So, how can you access Learner Central? It’s easy! When you join a learning room, you’re automatically added to Learner Central. If you’re already part of the Microsoft Learn Community and you’ve signed up for a learning room, be sure to check out the Learner Central Weekly Roundup channel to discover up-to-date resources and opportunities for your learning journey. If you’re not yet part of the Microsoft Learn Community, you can check out available learning rooms and join them from our Learning Rooms Directory. Just select the rooms that best suit your skill-building needs and interests, and then complete the registration form for each room. Or, if you’re not ready to sign up for a specific learning room, you can select the Join Learner Central tile from the directory to get access to the new hub. Our community experience is designed to support valuable interactions, and Learner Central is no exception. Make the most of Learner Central—your gateway to our enriched learning community—and say goodbye to fear of missing out (FOMO). Learner Central has you covered! Join the Microsoft Learn Community, explore our learning rooms, and learn and grow with us.Discover Microsoft Azure learning, training, certifications, and career path opportunities
What is Microsoft Azure? In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, cloud computing has become the backbone of many businesses and industries. Microsoft Azure—a key part of the Microsoft Cloud, which also includes Microsoft Security, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform, GitHub, and the Microsoft industry cloud solutions—is a powerful, industry-leading platform of services that provide critical cloud benefits for organizations and individuals alike. Building skills and experience with the Microsoft Cloud in general, and with Microsoft Azure in particular, has become increasingly important, empowering professionals to stay competitive, boost productivity, and drive innovation. In this blog post, I explore the significance of Azure training and how it can positively impact your career and business, along with a few career options. Adopting the Microsoft Cloud can equip organizations with the tools and platforms to drive innovation and agility. And Azure provides a wide range of services, including AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics, to name just a few. These capabilities enable businesses to make the most of advanced technologies and to unlock new opportunities for growth, efficiency, and customer engagement. The cloud's agility allows for rapid development, deployment, and experimentation, helping to reduce time to market and fostering a culture of innovation. How and where do you build your Azure skills? Whether you’re new to Azure or you’re an experienced professional, a student or a recent graduate, having a well-planned training path in the modern era of cloud computing and technologies is a must. It might be hard at first to build study and learning habits, but once you do, you’ll develop a learner mindset, which is key. Implementing this mindset includes learning, reading, and keeping your knowledge up to date, as part of your daily life, motivating you to continue adding to your skills and experience. In my opinion, Microsoft Learn—a family of skill-building offerings that brings together all Microsoft technical content, learning tools, and resources—is the best place to apply your learner mindset and add to your skill set. It’s a great place to be active, check out the latest updates, and explore new online training and other opportunities. On Microsoft Learn, you can also follow the learning paths that are curated by Microsoft experts to help you increase your knowledge and prepare for your exams to earn Microsoft Certification. In my online sessions and in my speaking engagements, I always highlight fundamentals and basics, since they’re foundational parts of the experience that I love to share with enthusiastic learners. Keep your fundamental knowledge fresh by reviewing the updates and changes to Azure training, and add to your expertise in the areas you’re most interested in, such as AI, security, automation, continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), and machine learning, among other topics. Practicing these learning habits on a regular basis can add to your learner mindset. What about building connections? In today's business environment, networking is a crucial element for career success. Building and maintaining professional relationships can open doors to new opportunities, enhance your knowledge, and accelerate your growth. Networking is not just about collecting business cards or making connections on social media—it’s also about cultivating meaningful relationships that can positively impact your career path. The practice of networking is an invaluable source of knowledge and experience. When you connect with professionals who have more expertise in the industry (in this case, Azure services), you gain access to valuable insights, best practices, and industry trends. Engaging in conversations with like-minded individuals can expand your perspective, challenge your assumptions, and inspire innovative thinking. Networking events, conferences, and seminars provide opportunities to learn from industry leaders, attend workshops, and gain new knowledge that can enhance your skill set and help make you a more competitive professional in your new Azure role. Let’s explore some of these roles in greater detail. What do Azure solutions architects do? Azure solutions architects play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and managing cloud-based solutions using Azure. They have a deep understanding of Azure services and can architect scalable and secure cloud infrastructures. As an Azure solution architect, you collaborate with clients or colleagues to develop cloud strategies, ensure optimal performance, and provide guidance on best practices. This role requires strong technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to align business objectives with cloud solutions. The Microsoft Certification exam for this role is Exam AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, which you can prepare for by completing self-paced AZ-305 learning paths on Microsoft Learn. When you complete a prerequisite (earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification) and pass Exam AZ-305, you earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification. What do Azure data engineers do? Azure data engineers are responsible for managing and transforming data within Azure environments. They design and implement data storage solutions, help ensure data quality, and create pipelines to process and analyze data. As an Azure data engineer, you work with big data technologies, data warehouses, and data lakes to enable effective data-driven decision-making. Proficiency in Azure services, like Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Databricks, is crucial for this role. Strong SQL and data-modeling skills, along with knowledge of data integration and extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes, are also essential. The Microsoft Certification exam for this role is Exam DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure, which you can prepare for by completing self-paced DP-203 learning paths on Microsoft Learn. When you pass the exam, you earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate certification. What do Azure security engineers do? As cybersecurity threats rapidly evolve, Azure security engineers are in high demand. These professionals specialize in securing Azure environments, implementing security controls, and monitoring potential vulnerabilities or breaches. They develop and enforce security policies, conduct risk assessments, and respond to security incidents. Azure security engineers should have a strong understanding of Azure security features, identity and access management, compliance, and threat detection technologies, like Microsoft Sentinel. The Microsoft Certification exam for this role is Exam AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies, which you can prepare for by completing self-paced AZ-500 learning paths on Microsoft Learn. When you pass the exam, you earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate certification. What are your next steps? It’s clear that professionals with Azure skills and experience—and a learner mindset—have a vast array of career opportunities that make the most of their abilities and interests. Whether you have expertise in cloud architecture, application development, data engineering, DevOps, or security, there’s a role for you in the world of Azure. By earning Azure certifications and gaining practical experience, you can position yourself for success in this ever-growing field. Plus, the demand for such professionals is expected to rise as more organizations adopt Azure as their preferred cloud platform. Embrace the opportunities, stay up to date with the latest Azure technologies, and build your skills for an exciting career journey. Always keep in mind that whatever your learning style or career path, experts and colleagues in the Microsoft Learn Community are here to help. And be sure to join me in my Microsoft Azure "Zero to Hero" learning room, where we explore this technology in greater depth. Meet Hamid Sadeghpour Saleh, Microsoft Learn expert Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 Cloud Solutions Architect and System Administrator Hamid Sadeghpour Saleh has an engineering degree in information technology and more than 10 years of experience in Microsoft technologies and cloud infrastructure administration. Hamid has solid knowledge and work experience with Windows-based and Linux systems, cloud technologies, storage, network devices, and infrastructure management. Learn more about Hamid Sadeghpour Saleh.8 tips to maximize your Azure experience
If you’re looking to make the most of your Azure experience, check out these practical tips, powerful tools, and helpful resources. Whether you're just venturing into the world of Azure or you’re a seasoned administrator seeking to optimize your cloud environment, these tips can benefit you all along the way. Microsoft Learn: Your Azure learning resource If you're looking to skill up on Azure and its many services and features, go to Microsoft Learn—a family of skill-building offerings and resources, bringing together all Microsoft technical content and learning tools. While you’re there, connect and engage with experts and peers in the Microsoft Learn Community. On Microsoft Learn, you can also select Explore Q&A to find questions and answers that address your Microsoft-related technical queries. Drawing answers from Stack Overflow, MSDN, and TechNet Forums, this informative tool helps ensure that you have access to comprehensive solutions and resources. Azure: Free services and more There are more than 50 services always available to you at no charge on Azure, including Azure Cosmos DB, Azure App Service, Azure Functions, Azure Kubernetes Service, and more. To try them, create a free Azure account. With this account, you also receive a $200 credit that you can use to run other Azure services for 30 days. Plus, you get access to additional Azure services—such as Azure SQL Database, Azure VPN Gateway, and Azure Container Registry—at no charge for 12 months. After you use your $200 credit or 30 days have passed, you’re charged for any usage that is beyond the free service limits. Check out free Azure services and other pricing details. Keep in mind that you can cancel or add new services to your account at any time. Quickstart Center: Your guide to Azure deployment In the Azure portal, explore the Azure Quickstart Center, designed to help you improve your knowledge of Azure and to show you how to effortlessly onboard and set up your cloud environment and services—regardless of your technical expertise. If you're unfamiliar with Azure and want to migrate services from on-premises to the cloud, take advantage of the comprehensive migration guide. Azure Cloud Shell: Execute tasks with ease If you’re an Azure administrator who needs to install Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell, Azure Cloud Shell makes this a straightforward task. Cloud Shell offers seamless access to PowerShell and Azure CLI directly within the Azure portal. You can run commands and manage your Azure resources without worrying about installations. It also empowers you to streamline your administrative tasks and enjoy a hassle-free scripting experience. The Azure mobile app: Your on-the-go Azure resource manager The Azure mobile app is a lightweight yet powerful app for managing Azure resources on the move. With this convenient application, you can stay connected and easily check the status of your Azure resources anytime, anywhere—directly from your phone: View and manage your Azure subscriptions. Monitor resource status, and receive Azure service health alerts. Access Azure Cloud Shell to manage resources and execute essential tasks. Azure Advisor: Your optimization assistant Azure Advisor is a valuable, complimentary service that offers tailored recommendations to enhance the reliability, performance, security, and cost-efficiency of your Azure resources. By analyzing your usage patterns, it provides actionable insights to optimize your environment. Microsoft Cost Management: Effective Azure expense management Microsoft Cost Management empowers organizations to effectively manage Azure expenses, providing comprehensive spending visibility, resource usage analysis, alerts, and cost driver identification: Get a clear breakdown of Azure spending, resource usage, and cost efficiency. Set up cost alerts to prevent unexpected overruns and adjustments. Define spending limits for specific time periods, forecast expenses, and track real-time progress. The Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure: Your path to successful implementations The Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure is a set of best practices, guidance, and tools to help you effectively plan, design, and implement your cloud environment. When setting up an Azure solution, this proven guidance can help you follow industry best practices, optimize your implementation, and streamline—or even accelerate—your Azure adoption process, while mitigating risks associated with some cloud deployments. Make the most of Azure tools and resources As we’ve learned, there are several Azure tools and resources available to assist you in maximizing your cloud experience, and I’ve listed just a few of them. I’d love to hear about your favorite Azure tips, tools, and resources. Feel free to share them in the comment section, or join me in my Microsoft Community Learning Room, Azure Knowledge Base with Kazeem. Meet Kazeem Adegboyega, Microsoft Learn expert Kazeem Adegboyega is a Cloud Architect with a passion for helping people learn. As a Microsoft Azure Most Valuable Professional (MVP), he has a wealth of experience and knowledge that he loves to share with others. As Kazeem says, “Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your career, I am here to help. Let's learn together and achieve your goals! Do not hesitate to get in touch with me today.” Learn more about Kazeem AdegboyegaBreak out of your comfort zone, and start learning new skills
When we’re kids, we explore our interests and abilities, adopting what we like and leaving what we don’t. In this way, we create our comfort zone, where we find less stress, increased efficiency, and improved confidence. But given today’s fast-paced world and ever-growing opportunities, staying in our comfort zone can limit our perspectives and lead to stagnation, ultimately resulting in a lack of personal and professional growth. It’s important to be willing to stretch and learn new skills, especially in the tech community. There are countless examples of people who stepped outside of their comfort zone and achieved great success, including Microsoft Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella. I remember reading his book, Hit Refresh, in which he discussed leading different businesses, and breaking out of his comfort zone before becoming Microsoft CEO. The question I want to address in this post is, How do you break out of your comfort zone? It can be challenging—but also rewarding. It’s definitely a process, so I recommend taking things one step at a time. In my career as a Solution Architect, I’ve discovered some useful tips on going beyond my comfort zone, and I’d like to share some of them with you. Identify your fears It’s absolutely natural to be afraid of something unknown to you. So, start by asking yourself: Are you scared of failure, rejection, or the unknown—and why? Once you’ve identified your fears and the reasons for them, you can work on overcoming those fears. This process may involve small steps outside of your comfort zone, and these don’t need to be perfect on the first try. For example, let’s say you’re a technology expert and you want to teach others about it, but you’re afraid of addressing a large audience. A great way to counter this is to start by teaching a small group of people. You can also join a Microsoft Learning Room and co-present there with other experts. Set clear goals Clear goals can provide you with a solid sense of purpose, motivating you to go outside of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. Although there are different frameworks for setting up goals, I recommend that you follow SMART—that is, your goals should be: Specific. Clearly define what you want to achieve. Measurable. Set milestones to track your progress and to evaluate when you have achieved them. You can even divide individual goals into smaller milestones, making them less daunting. Achievable. Be sure your goals are realistic and attainable. Relevant. Build your goals on professional or personal aspirations to help maintain your motivation. Time bound. Set deadlines by which to achieve these goals. For example, if you’re a Microsoft Power Platform expert who wants to get out of your comfort zone and stretch your abilities, your SMART goal could be, I want to learn AI and find out how to add value to my business applications with it. A logical next step would be to start with a learning path on Microsoft Learn, such as Bring AI to your business with AI Builder or Improve business performance with AI Builder. Embrace failure Everyone experiences failure at one time or another, and this is to be expected when you venture out of your comfort zone. This is because you’re taking risks and trying out new things. Instead of avoiding failure, embrace it as part of the learning process. In fact, failure can give you valuable feedback and help you identify areas for improvement. Use it as a steppingstone toward great success, as it helps you build resilience and develop a growth mindset. Surround yourself with supportive people As a human, it’s important to have a solid support system around you—family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and others. Moving out of your comfort zone can result in many challenges, but people in your support circle can help keep you motivated, boost your confidence, and cheer you on as you overcome obstacles. As you set your goals, look for people who can provide you with constructive feedback. Seek advice from those with experience in the area you’re pursuing. One place to connect with peers and experts who are exploring technology is the Microsoft Learn Community, where you can engage with others and get guidance on your journey. Break out of your comfort zone Saying goodbye to your comfort zone can be scary, but it’s important to do so—for your personal and professional growth. By identifying your fears, setting clear goals, embracing failure, and surrounding yourself with supportive people, you can set yourself up to achieve great success. Ready to explore new tech skills? Microsoft Learn provides you with an opportunity to learn new things every day. Invest your time trying out new technologies, building new skills, and breaking free from your comfort zone. To find out more about how we can learn together, join me in my Learning Room, AI for Everyone. Meet Arafat Tehsin, Microsoft Learn expert Arafat Tehsin is a Solution Architect at EY and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) (AI) in Sydney, Australia. With over a decade of software development experience, he specializes in digital transformation and business automation using innovative technologies. Arafat has a passion for solutions around Azure AI, .NET, and Microsoft Power Platform. He's a speaker at several developer conferences and loves to contribute to the democratization of AI. Learn more about Arafat Tehsin
