[q7xvh97o2pDhNrh]

Yeah, but then you'd have to work in consulting. ;)

A related idea is to just take the 400 bucks and spend it on AWS playing around. Spin up a few Kubernetes clusters, try out their various database offerings, maybe see if you can run a load-test and get your play system to auto-scale.

That would also require keeping a sharp eye on the billing side to make sure the total cost doesn't go over $400... but, hey, that's part of the learning, too!

[throwaway167]

To add to that: Document it, through a blog or other. Even if that doesn't get read, it's evidence, and hopefully it would.