The Best Part of My New Job

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!