On-Ramp Program

New to PowerShell? Perfect. This program is designed just for you.

The On-Ramp program is our dedicated track for PowerShell beginners, career changers, students, and anyone new to automation and DevOps. We believe everyone deserves a chance to learn and grow in this amazing community.

What Makes On-Ramp Special?

A Conference-Within-A-Conference

Dedicated Beginner Track

• Sessions designed specifically for newcomers
• Step-by-step learning progression
• Practical, hands-on examples you can use immediately
• Clear, jargon-free explanations

Small Group Experience

• Limited to just 40 participants for a personalized experience
• Interactive, live-only sessions to encourage questions and participation
• More intimate learning environment
• Smaller networking groups

Pre-Summit Preparation

• Early access to event resources
• Installation guides and setup instructions
• Access to the OnRamp Slack channel for questions and support
• Connect through the main Summit Slack channels to start networking early

Summit Buddy

• Experienced community member as your personal guide
• Someone to answer questions and help you navigate
• Networking assistance and introductions
• Ongoing mentorship opportunity

Who Should Attend On-Ramp?

On-Ramp is the best entry point for anyone new to PowerShell, DevOps, or IT automation. If you’re ready to start building real skills in a supportive environment, this track is designed for you.

Perfect For:

• PowerShell beginners - Never written a script? No problem.
• Career changers - Moving into IT or DevOps from another field
• Students - Learning scripting and automation
• System administrators - Ready to move beyond basic commands
• Developers - Want to add PowerShell to your skill set
• Anyone feeling overwhelmed - by traditional conference content

You Don’t Need:

• Prior PowerShell experience
• A programming background
• Deep technical knowledge
• Expensive tools or software

What You’ll Learn

Over four days, On-Ramp takes you from the basics of PowerShell to automation, tooling, and cloud integration. By the end of the week, you’ll have a solid foundation and the confidence to build upon it.

Day 1: Getting Started & Core Concepts

• Install and configure PowerShell across platforms
• Understand versions, execution policies, and environment setup
• Learn core PowerShell concepts and the role of automation

Day 2: Discoverability & the PowerShell Pipeline

• Use the help system effectively
• Find, interpret, and run commands
• Work with objects in the pipeline: filtering, formatting, and transforming data
• Build one-liners to solve real-world problems

Day 3: Scripting, Modules & Tooling

• Write and organize reusable scripts
• Control logic and flow
• Create and publish modules
• Use advanced functions, parameter validation, and error handling
• Debug scripts and boost productivity with essential tooling

Day 4: Automation, Cloud & Community

• Automate at scale with remoting
• Integrate PowerShell into DevOps and CI/CD workflows
• Manage secrets securely
• Use source control and GitHub workflows
• Connect with the PowerShell community and plan your next steps

All On-Ramp sessions are live and interactive. To get the full experience, attendees participate in all On-Ramp sessions and are not permitted to switch between On-Ramp and main conference sessions.

On-Ramp Sessions

All On-Ramp sessions are:

• Beginner-friendly - No prior knowledge required
• Hands-on - You’ll write code, not just watch
• Practical - Focused on real-world use cases
• Supportive - Friendly environment to ask questions

Sample Session Topics:

• Discoverability & the Help System
• Scripting Fundamentals
• Advanced Functions & Tooling
• Remoting & Automation at Scale
• DevOps & Cloud Integration

Your Summit Buddy

Every On-Ramp participant gets paired with an experienced community member who will:

• Guide you through the venue and help you navigate sessions and spaces
• Introduce you to other community members
• Answer questions throughout the event
• Stay in contact afterward for ongoing mentorship

These volunteers are experienced professionals who remember what it’s like to be new and are here to help you succeed.

Success Stories

“I came to Summit knowing almost nothing about PowerShell. My Summit Buddy helped me feel welcome, and the On-Ramp sessions gave me the confidence to start automating tasks at work. Six months later, I’m the ‘PowerShell person’ on my team!” — Sarah M., 2025 On-Ramp Graduate

“The On-Ramp program transformed my career. I went from manual server management to building automated deployment pipelines. The community support was incredible.” — Marcus T., 2024 On-Ramp Graduate

After the Summit

Your On-Ramp experience doesn’t end when the conference does. You’ll leave with new skills, resources, and connections to help you continue building your career.

Continued Learning

• Video access to all regular Summit sessions
• Curated learning paths and recommended next steps
• Beginner-focused online resources to reinforce your foundation

Community Connection

• Continued access to the OnRamp Slack channel for questions and networking
• Opportunities to connect through the main Summit community channels
• Regional meetup connections and user groups to stay engaged

Career Support

• Resume review and feedback
• Interview preparation guidance
• Job opportunity sharing within the community

Full Ride Scholarship

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn PowerShell, regardless of financial circumstances. That’s why we’re offering a Full Ride Scholarship for the On-Ramp program.

What’s Included:

• Round-trip airfare to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
• 5 nights accommodation at the Marriott Hotel
• Full On-Ramp Program registration (valued at $1,599)
• Most meals, networking events, and conference materials
• Summit Buddy and dedicated beginner support

Who Should Apply:

This scholarship is designed for individuals who:

• Are passionate about learning PowerShell and DevOps
• Face financial barriers to attending the Summit
• Will benefit significantly from the On-Ramp program
• Are committed to sharing their knowledge with others afterward

Selection Criteria:

Applications are reviewed based on:

• Demonstrated interest in PowerShell/DevOps
• Financial need
• Potential community impact
• Commitment to learning and growth

Pricing and Registration

On-Ramp Program: $1,599 (Same price as General Admission — the extra value is our investment in you!)

Limited to 40 participants to ensure a personalized experience.

What’s Included:

• All On-Ramp track sessions and activities (a dedicated, beginner-focused program)
• Summit Buddy pairing and support
• Pre-summit preparation resources
• Meals, evening social events, and networking opportunities
• Video access to all regular Summit sessions
• Post-summit community access

Prerequisites

None! Seriously, that’s the whole point. However, to get the most out of your experience, we recommend installing a few tools before arriving at the Summit:

• The latest version of PowerShell 7
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
• The PowerShell extension for VS Code
• Git for version control
• Join the OnRamp Slack channel (invite sent after registration) for communication and support

What to bring:

• A laptop (preferably Windows, but Linux or macOS is also acceptable)
• Enthusiasm for automation and community
• Curiosity and willingness to learn

We’ll help you with everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to keep up with the technical content?

Absolutely! All On-Ramp sessions are designed for beginners. Your Summit Buddy also helps ensure you get the most out of the event.

What if I have some PowerShell experience?

If you’ve dabbled with PowerShell but still feel like a beginner, On-Ramp is perfect for solidifying your foundation and filling knowledge gaps.

What if I feel like I don’t belong?

We’re committed to building an inclusive community. Your Summit Buddy helps you connect with others who share your goals and interests.

Can I attend regular Summit sessions?

On-Ramp participants attend all keynotes, major events, and evening social activities with the main Summit, and you’ll have video access to all regular Summit sessions.

On-Ramp is a dedicated track, so you’ll participate in all On-Ramp sessions and are not permitted to switch between On-Ramp and main conference sessions.

Questions about On-Ramp? Email us at onramp@powershellsummit.org