From 3 to 110: My First 5 Months as Lead of AWS SBG Aeris

On May 21, 2026, I was appointed as the lead of AWS SBG Aeris. On that day, our community had exactly three members.

Today, five months later, we are 110 strong.

This is the story of how that happened, what nearly slowed me down, and what I learned along the way. If you are a student who has ever thought, "I am not ready to lead," this one is for you.

Why I said yes

I am an IT student, and I wanted to use what I was learning to do more than pass exams. I wanted to lead, to help, and to share knowledge with the people around me. Applying to lead an AWS Student Builder Group was my way of turning that wish into action.

My vision for Aeris was simple: a community where students can build, learn, and glide.

Build, learn, glide.

Starting small: learning first

I did not begin by organizing big events. I began by showing up. I joined AWS workshops and community events in our region and in other regions, to learn how the AWS community works and to bring that knowledge back to my members.

Being a good leader starts with being a good learner. Every workshop I joined gave me ideas, connections, and confidence.

Building the foundation

Once I understood the community better, I started building outward:

• Partnerships. I began partnering with other communities.
• Hackathon team. I formed a team to represent Aeris in hackathons.
• Core team. I built and screened a core team to share the work and grow with me.

The hard part

It was not easy, and I want to be honest about that.

• A tiny team. At the start, I only had two officers helping me build everything.
• Finding the right people. Screening for a core team took time and care.
• Growing membership. AWS is not yet widely known in our community, so I had to spend a lot of time planning how to spread the word and make students curious.

There were moments I felt the work was heavier than our team was big. What kept me going was planning, one step at a time, and remembering why I started.

My proudest moment: AWS 101

Our first AWS 101 event was the turning point. It was well organized, and it was funded so nothing got in the way of learning. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Members told us how much they learned, and many asked for more workshops.

That is when I knew Aeris was more than a group name. It was a real community, and students wanted it.

What five months taught me

• Start before you feel ready. Three members is still a community.
• Learn first, then lead. Joining other events gave me the knowledge and network to build ours.
• You cannot do it alone. A strong core team turns one person's effort into a movement.
• Plan, then adjust. Growth came from steady planning, not luck.
• Listen to your members. Their request for more workshops shaped what we do next.

What is next for Aeris

We are only getting started. Aeris was a founding partner of the Build Over Nights Kiro x Quick Hackathon, and we want to keep offering workshops, hands-on projects, and opportunities for our members to connect with industry professionals.

A message to student builders

You do not need a perfect plan, a big team, or a big title to begin. You need a reason, a little courage, and the willingness to keep learning. I started with three people and a vision. Today, we are 110.

If you have been thinking about joining a community or starting one, this is your sign. Build, learn, and glide with us.

Thank you

Thank you to my two officers who believed in Aeris from the start, to my core team, to every member who joined, to our partner communities, and to AWS and the AWS User Group Philippines for the opportunity.

Want to be part of AWS SBG Aeris?

Join us, come to our next event, and bring a friend.