vExpert applications are open
As we are rapidly approaching the second half of 2021 and I noticed the applications for the VMware vExpert program for 2021 H2 have opened up (hint: Apply now at http://vexpert.vmware.com before you forget) it made me realize: I will reach 10 years of vExpert status in 2022! What a journey, but how did it start?
Early days
In my early days of working with VMware, it started out with minor admin access and not much new deployment. There were not really any options to “play around” because it was a production environment and I definitely did not have any home lab at the time. Later I was lucky to have a chance at a professional services company that sent me on a real VMware training – many of you might have also attended the vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage v5.0 a 5-day instructor-led training. My instructor in this training was Frank Brix Pedersen and while Frank was an instructor he was an even bigger “community guy” who immediately told me to:
- Create a Twitter profile (…and kindly shared usernames of who to initially follow)
- Create the very blog you are reading
- Come to the next VMware User Group meeting
Obviously, I wanted to learn from the best so I did what Frank said – this was back in 2012. The following year Frank and others in the VMware User Group community encouraged me and others to apply for the vExpert program. I remember sitting up all night as I was hoping to hear back when finally the confirmation from John Troyer arrived – you are in!
You are in! What changed?
What changed with the vExpert program? Well, first of all, it opened a lot of conversations but to be honest looking back it gave me a confidence boost at the time – I was doing something right and it made sense to continue pushing forward! Engage more in the community, share more experiences and lessons learned.
Does this sound like high maintenance time-consuming stuff?!? While writing “stuff” up in a blog post does take time, consider it to be the documentation you can return to later and save time should the same issue ever come up again.
For me, the wealth of knowledge I gain on a daily basis from amazing vExperts in the community who so willingly share their experiences helps push everyone else (including myself) onwards and upwards. The ability to get licenses from VMware to actually load into the early days home lab was amazing! Finally, all features were available and fully legal!
Here in the 9th year of the vExpert program, I was truly honored to be able to join the vExpert PRO program. I’ll do my best to continue to help others enter the vExpert program and maximize their learning and career benefits from this amazing opportunity. If you have not yet applied for the vExpert program but are already active in the virtualization community and would like assistance in applying please do reach out to me on social media like Twitter or LinkedIn and I would be more than happy to help answer all your questions.