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The Best Part of My New Job

August 4, 2011 6:48 am / 8 Comments / SQLSoldier

The Best Part of My New Job

Come to the Dark Side, We have Nutter Butters

Come to the Dark Side, We have Nutter Butters


If you had told me a year ago that I would be a Program Manager today, I would have told you that you’re dillusional. Obviously when the program is something you’re really passionate about, it makes a tremendous difference. My career as a DBA has always been about action and not about talking. I’m a “doer,” not a “talker.” I used to view meetings as blockades to getting things done. Now I rely on meetings to get things done. My whole outlook on meetings has changed and that was a bit of a surprise to me.

Nobody told me that the cookies the Dark Side had were Nutter Butters!


Apparently, when the program is something you care about, taking on a role that makes you a major influencer in the program is a great role to be in. The program is the Nutter Butter cookies that enticed me to the Dark Side. And in case you aren’t familiar with Nutter Butters, they’re only the most awesome cookies ever invented. I’m not normally a cookie eater, but Nutter Butters are in a class all their own.

Last night, I got to experience the best part of my job. I visited the SQLskills Immersion Training event. I got to talk to the attendees about the Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) program. I found out a little bit about them, answered their questions, and handed out some swag (t-shirts, laptop stickers, baseball caps, squishy balls, folders with pens and USB sticks, and even some voucher to take the knowledge exam for free). I hope that I helped spark the desire to become an MCM in some of the attendees. For those already planning to take the MCM exam, obviously the voucher to take the knowledge exam for free was a big hit.

Talking with my fellow SQL geeks last night was without a doubt the best part of my job. The truth is that even if I wasn’t the PM for the SQL MCM program, i would still want to do this (I just wouldn’t have the cool swag to pass out). I’m planning to visit all 4 weeks of the SQLskills Immersion Training event being held in Bellevue, WA to talk with the attendees about the program and pass out some swag.

See everyone next Wednesday!

Posted in: SQL Server / Tagged: MCM, Professional Development

8 Thoughts on “The Best Part of My New Job”

  1. Meher on August 4, 2011 at 9:27 am said:

    Robert,

    Its really happy to know that you want most of the DBA folks like us want to get certified as MCMS. Most really dont care if some one gets certified or not but you as the PM for the program have taken the first step to encourage others about taking the exam. I commend you for that.

    Thank you very much.

    Regards
    Meher

    Reply↓
    • SQLSoldier on August 4, 2011 at 10:15 am said:

      Thanks Meher!

      Reply↓
  2. Nicolas Husson on August 4, 2011 at 1:59 pm said:

    If you had given away some MCM jackets, I would have screamed;-) I’m so bummed I didnt get my ‘topgun’ MCM jacket ;-)

    Reply↓
    • SQLSoldier on August 4, 2011 at 3:56 pm said:

      Nobody gets a jacket until I get a jacket! And we don’t have any jackets, so I guess we’re all out of luck!

      Reply↓
  3. DaniSQL on August 4, 2011 at 7:13 pm said:

    Well, I will see you next week(IE2)!

    Reply↓
    • SQLSoldier on August 5, 2011 at 9:08 am said:

      Cool! Looking forward to meeting you!

      Reply↓
  4. Eric Wisdahl on August 5, 2011 at 6:29 am said:

    Wait, there are vouchers to take the knowledge exam for free??? Need to get the administrator MCITP soon so that I can delude myself into thinking I’m good enough for MCM. Well, maybe in a few years anyway. :-P

    Reply↓
    • SQLSoldier on August 5, 2011 at 9:09 am said:

      It’s not a bad goal to have. ;)

      Reply↓

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