A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join the AWS New Voices training as an AWS Student Builder Group Leader. It was a five-week program focused on improving public speaking. Before joining, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I thought it would mostly be about confidence and presentation tips, but it turned out to be much more practical than I expected.

Each week focused on one specific skill, and every challenge helped me identify something I could improve.

The first challenge was to explain a longer topic in just 60 seconds.

At first, it sounded simple, but once I actually tried doing it, I realized how often I used extra words before getting to the main point. Explaining an idea in just one minute was much harder than I expected. It made me think more carefully about what I wanted to say before I started speaking.

That exercise taught me the importance of understanding my message before trying to explain it to others.

The second week focused on vocal variety.

We practiced reading the same passage using different emotions while changing our pace, pitch, and pauses. It felt a little unusual in the beginning, but after practicing, I realized how much difference these small changes make.

I also noticed that I often spoke in the same tone throughout a presentation. Learning how to use pauses and vary my voice made my delivery feel much more engaging.

This was probably my favorite week.

We were asked to share a short story based on our own experience instead of simply explaining a topic. The goal was to focus on what happened, the key moment, and the lesson we learned.

I enjoyed this challenge because it felt more like having a conversation than giving a presentation. It also reminded me that people usually connect more with real experiences than with perfectly prepared explanations.

The fourth week focused on physical presence.

We practiced maintaining good posture, using natural hand gestures, and avoiding unnecessary movement while speaking.

During the practice sessions, I became much more aware of my posture and hand gestures. I realized that even small movements can make a big difference. Speaking with confidence isn't only about your words; your body language also plays an important role.

The final challenge was the one I was most nervous about.

We were given a random topic and had only a short time to organize our thoughts before speaking.

I didn't expect it to be easy, and it wasn't. But after completing the exercise, I realized that I could organize my thoughts much better than I had assumed. Sometimes we underestimate ourselves simply because we haven't put ourselves in that situation before.

By the end of the program, one message from our coach stayed with me.

Public speaking isn't something you master in a few weeks. It's a skill that improves through continuous practice. The more you speak, ask for feedback, and keep practicing, the more confident you become.

I also want to mention our coach, Meridith.

She brought the same level of energy to every session throughout the five weeks. Even though each session built on the previous one, they never felt repetitive. She always encouraged everyone to participate, and she created an environment where people felt comfortable practicing and learning together.

If I had to choose my favorite part of the program, it would definitely be the breakout rooms.

After every session, we were divided into small groups to practice the weekly challenge together and share feedback.

Every week, I found myself speaking with AWS Community Builders and professionals from different countries, different backgrounds, and different levels of experience.

Going into these sessions, I expected that I would mostly listen because many participants had much more experience than I did.

Instead, every conversation felt open and welcoming.

People shared how they prepare for talks, how they manage nervousness before speaking, and how they explain technical topics to different audiences. Everyone was willing to share their experiences, and the feedback I received during the activities was always constructive and encouraging.

What stood out to me the most was that nobody focused on titles or experience. It simply felt like a group of people helping each other improve.

Those conversations became one of the most valuable parts of the entire program.

I'm not a perfect public speaker after five weeks, and I never expected to be.

But I do notice things that I never noticed before.

I notice when I'm using filler words. I notice when my energy drops while speaking. I notice when my body language doesn't match what I'm trying to say.

For me, becoming aware of those habits is already an important step because now I know what I need to improve.

More than the speaking techniques, what I'll remember most is the community.

Learning alongside people from different parts of the world, receiving honest feedback, and hearing different perspectives made this experience much more meaningful than I expected.

If you're an AWS Student Builder or Community Builder thinking about joining AWS New Voices, I would definitely recommend it.

You'll improve your public speaking skills, but you'll also become part of a community where people genuinely support each other's growth.

Looking back, this has been one of the best learning experiences I've had so far, and I'm grateful to have been part of it.