Since last year, ACM Cloud has been providing its members with real-world experience in technology, opportunities for research and hands-on exposure to tech consulting. Through offering weekly workshops and quarterly projects, this community of passionate and hard-working students is sharing their knowledge of the world of cloud computing. Whether you’ve never heard of cloud computing before or you’re an expert, ACM Cloud is the perfect gateway to learning about cloud infrastructure, understanding how cloud-based apps are built and surrounding yourself with a network of individuals who are passionate about modern technology.
Cloud computing? What’s that?
“The cloud” is a remote network where people and businesses store their data without needing a physical server, which is cost-effective, reliable and secure. Cloud computing refers to the practice of using those tools to store your databases and files, and it is becoming more popular among both large and small businesses. What makes ACM Cloud unique is that they provide workshops on cloud computing services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) to their members.
ACM Cloud former president Daniel Yang, Class of 2025 who majored in computer science, defines ACM to be “a computer science club dedicated to learning about technical infrastructure, … theoretical aspects … and the software engineering used to power internet companies today.” As one of the club’s founders, Yang said, “There were a bunch of clubs that focused mostly on app development,” but he couldn’t find a club that focused on “the next step—making [cloud] available and making sure apps are up and running efficiently as well.” To learn more about this crucial aspect of the industry and to share his knowledge, he helped start ACM Cloud last fall.
ACM Cloud is divided into three branches: the AWS track that is open to all students and the research and consulting tracks, which are only for official members.
Shlok Jahwar, Class of 2025, who majored in computer science and an previous officer focused on the AWS track, said, “If you’re not familiar with AWS, it is Amazon Web Services, which is a set of services that are provided by Amazon to business owners and normal individuals who want to build their own applications and deploy them out to other users to use.” Through weekly workshops, students are taught the basics of cloud computing and have the opportunity to create their own cloud-based full-stack application. Jahwar said, “We try to teach people how to use these services like Amazon to help them build their own applications and scale them up to users.” The skills students learn from this track allow them to pursue similar projects on their own.
The second track offered by ACM Cloud is the tech consulting track, which is only open to members who have applied and been accepted into ACM Cloud. Ayran Singh, Class of 2025, who majored in computer science, joined ACM Cloud at its inception in fall 2023 and is now one of the consulting track officers. “The idea is to work in the niche of technological consulting, especially in the field of cloud, because there are startups who can use the help in making their products better,” said Singh. Within the consulting track, students learn the soft skills of consulting—how to talk to clients, identify their problems and propose projects. Members also have the opportunity to implement cloud-based solutions to startups, small businesses and nonprofits, which is an experience unique to ACM Cloud. Singh said, “We are a very diverse group. We are open to any level of cloud experience.” Through this environment, ACM Cloud welcomes anyone who demonstrates passion and interest in tech consulting.
The final track, which is meant for students who are more interested in theoretical knowledge as opposed to hands-on projects, is the research track. Within this track, topics such as system design, concurrency, synchronization and distributed algorithms are explored to allow students to gain a deeper level of knowledge within the realm of cloud computing. “Aside from basic research skills, I’d say that the research track allows students to be imaginative and self-motivated, especially since our focus right now is developing theoretical research papers into useful applications,” Yang said. “It also allows them to grow from a technical perspective since many of the topics we cover are novel and rarely covered in depth even in a classroom setting.” While AWS workshops are open to all, prospective students interested in joining the consulting or research tracks should look out for applications at the beginning of winter quarter!
Overall, ACM Cloud is a diverse club that provides a variety of ways for students to explore cloud computing. No matter how much or how little cloud experience you have, ACM Cloud welcomes you! Aside from being an academic and professional club, ACM Cloud hopes to become a tightly-knit community through hosting various socials for club members. Despite being a new club on campus, ACM Cloud is a great way for students to explore a rapidly-growing aspect of computer science!
For more information about ACM Cloud, look out for information about their winter general meeting, where future projects and meeting times will be announced.
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Featured Image Photographed by Julia Gu/BruinLife