Ten years ago, I was sitting in a Vancouver coffee shop, staring at my laptop screen, completely stuck.
I had certifications. I had read the documentation. I had watched the tutorials.
But when it came time to actually build something in Azure that would solve a real business problem? I froze.
That moment changed everything for me.
Not because I figured it out instantly—but because I realized something most people in cloud won't tell you:
The industry is selling you badges when what you actually need is battle scars.
Here's the uncomfortable truth about cloud careers in 2025:
We're in the middle of a massive skills crisis. Companies are throwing six-figure salaries at cloud professionals. Certifications are being marketed as golden tickets. The message is clear: get certified, get hired, get rich.
But here's what's actually happening:
60% of organizations still can't find qualified cloud talent—despite the explosion in certifications. I've interviewed dozens of "certified Azure architects" who couldn't explain why they chose one service over another. I've watched brilliant people freeze up when asked to troubleshoot a failed deployment.
And it's not their fault.
The system is broken. We've optimized for exam scores instead of expertise. For credentials instead of capability. For looking good on LinkedIn instead of actually being good in production.
My wake-up call came from failure
After that coffee shop moment, I spent the next two years doing what nobody tells you to do: I broke things. Over and over and over.
I deployed applications that crashed. I architected solutions that didn't scale. I automated processes that made things worse. I spent late nights debugging problems that were entirely my fault.
And slowly—painfully—I started to understand how cloud actually works.
Not the way the documentation says it works. Not the way the certification exams test you on. But the way it works when a client is depending on you, when the system goes down at 2 AM, when you have to make architectural decisions that will affect a company for years.
That's when I became dangerous
Fast forward to today: I'm a Microsoft Certified Trainer. I've consulted with companies from scrappy startups to Fortune 500s. I've helped thousands of professionals make the leap from "certified" to "capable."
But more importantly? I remember what it felt like to be stuck.
And I built CloudLearn.io because of it.
Not another certification factory. Not another bootcamp promising jobs in 30 days. But a place where you practice in real cloud environments, make real mistakes, and build real confidence.
Because here's what I learned the hard way:
You don't need another course. You need 100 hours of deliberate practice in environments that actually matter.
Why I'm sharing this with you:
If you're reading this, you're probably in one of three places:
- Stuck in tutorial hell – You keep learning but never feel ready to do the real work
- Certified but insecure – You have the badges but freeze when the conversation gets technical
- Ready to transition – You know cloud is your future but don't know how to bridge the gap
I've been all three. And I'm here to tell you: the path exists. It's just not the one they're selling you.
What you'll get from me:
This isn't a typical newsletter. I'm not here to sell you courses, spam you with affiliate links, or pretend I have all the answers.
What I will share:
- Real-world Azure scenarios that actually come up in consulting (with the lessons I learned fixing them)
- Honest career advice from someone who's hired, trained, and mentored cloud professionals
- Automation strategies that save hours (not just theoretical efficiency)
- Security practices that matter in production (not just compliance theater)
- Early access to CloudLearn labs designed around practical competence
But more than that?
I want to help you stop feeling like an imposter. To build the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you can actually solve the problems in front of you.
Because the cloud industry needs something it's not getting from the certification mills:
People who can build.
Here's my promise to you:
No gatekeeping. No BS. No pretending cloud is harder than it is (it's hard enough without the mystique).
Just practical knowledge, honest mentorship, and a community of people who are serious about doing the work that matters.
Welcome to CloudWithSingh.
Let's build the career—and the skills—you actually want.
Parveen Singh
Cloud Solutions Consultant | Microsoft Certified Trainer
